University of South Alabama Course Syllabus
Course Information
Term: Fall 2012
GY305, section 101, Geophysics (3 semester credits)
Course Format: Web-enhanced
Class days and time: Lecture: M,W 9:05-9:55; Lab: M 13:20-16:00
Building/Room number: LSCB 337 (Lecture & Lab)
Instructor Information
 David T. Allison, Ph.D.
 460-6381 (Earth Sciences main office)
 dallison@southalabama.edu
 Office hours: http://www.usouthal.edu/geography/allison/CurrentSchedule.pdf (updated
each term)
 Life Sciences Bld. #344
Course Description
Application of classical physics to the study of the Earth and the solution of problems in Earth sciences,
including analysis of geomagnetics, the Earth’s gravitational field, seismic analysis, sequence
stratigraphy, well log interpretation, and applications to petroleum exploration. Prerequisites: GY 111 and
PH 114 or PH 201, or permission of instructor. Fee.
Course Topical Outline
GY305 Geophysics Course Topics
The following topics will be covered during the semester: (Haywick weeks 1-8; Allison weeks
9-16
WEEK 1: Lect 1: Introductions, elementary physics (wave theory) (1)
(Aug 20- Lect 2: Reflection and refraction (2)
24)
Lab 1: Basic physics (as applied to geology)
WEEK
2: (Aug
27-Aug
31)
Lect 1: SP and resistivity logs (3)
Lect 2: Gamma ray logs (4)
Lab 2: Well log correlation exercise 1
WEEK 3: Lect 1: Labor Day Holiday (Sept 4)
(Sept 4- Lect 2: Generation of petroleum; Migration of petroleum
7)
Lab 3: Well log correlation exercise 2
WEEK 4: Lect 1: Petroleum reservoirs (6)
(Sept 10- Lect 2: Neutron activation logs; Density and other logs (7)
14)
Lab 4: Mapping exercises
WEEK 5: Lect 1: Isopach maps (8); First Exam (take-home)
(Sept 17- Lect 2: Fence-post diagrams and other graphical techniques (9)
21)
Lab 5: Seismic correlations
1
WEEK 6: Lect 1: Introduction to seismic methods (10)
(Sept 24- Lect 2: Seismic stratigraphy
28)
Lab 6: Seismic correlations
Lect 1: Sequence stratigraphy part 1: surfaces and systems tracts (12)
WEEK 7:
Lect 2: Sequence stratigraphy part 2: what the f**k? (13)
(Oct 1-5)
Lab 7: Sequence stratigraphy interpretations
Fall Break: Oct 8-9
WEEK 8: Lect 1: Fall Break
(Oct 10- Lect 2: Haywick Final Exam
12)
Lab 8: Fall Break
WEEK
9: (Oct
15-19)
Lect 1: Plate motions on the Spherical Earth
Lect 2: Plate circuit diagrams
Lab 9: Field surveys with GPS receivers
WEEK Lect 1: Earthquake seismicity
10: (Oct Lect 2: Earthquake seismicity; 1st motions studies
22-26)
Lab 10: Seismic reflection modeling
WEEK
Lect 1: Earth’s gravitational field; Correlations with tectonic boundaries
11: (Oct
Lect 2: Gravity anomalies; Isostacy
29- Nov
Lab 11: Gravimeter data collection and reduction
2)
WEEK Lect 1: Heat flow characteristics of the Earth; Heat flow modeling
12: (Nov Lect 2: Test 1 (Allison)
5-9)
Lab 12: Heat flow modeling
WEEK Lect 1: Geomagnetism theory and application
13: (Nov Lect 2: Interpretation of geomagnetic data
12-16)
Lab 13: Interpretation of geomagnetic data
WEEK Lect 1: Geochronology theory and application
14: (Nov Lect 2: Thanksgiving Holiday
19-23)
Lab 14: Calculation of isochron and Concordia diagrams and age estimates
WEEK Lect 1: Kinematics of fault systems
15: (Nov Lect 2: Thrust fault geophysics and geometric constrains
26-30)
Lab 15: Balanced cross-sections
Last Day of Class: Th Dec 6
WEEK Lect 1: Physics of exhumation models
16: (Dec Lect 2: Modeling exhumation
3-6)
Lab 16: Modeling exhumation
2
FINAL EXAM- Wed Dec 12 8:00-10:00
Course Goals and Objectives
Course Pre-requisites / Co-requisites
 Pre-requisites: GY111 Physical Geology, GY111L Physical Geology Lab, PH114 or PH201
Course Materials:
Text (Required)
LECTURE: The Solid Earth: An introduction to Geophysics, 1st Edition
Author(s): C.M.R. Fowler
Publishers(s): Cambridge University Press (1997)
Edition: 1st ISBN: 0-521-38590-3
LAB: N/A
Class Attendance Policy
 Students who complete less than 50% of assignments/exams will be assigned an F* grade.
 Students are expected to have access to an internet-connected computer and be familiar with office
productivity applications (spreadsheets, web browser, PDF browser, etc.). Some projects will
require ArcGIS that is available to GY301 students in the LSCB 137 GIS lab. See the instructor
for door code and computer logon password.
 Late arrivals (> 10 minutes after class begins) will be counted as absent. Attendance is 10% of
final grade.
 You may wish to review the ‘Attendance and Absences Policy’, in the Undergraduate Academic
Policies and Procedures section of the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin for attendance and
absences policy
Important Dates
 Last day to add/change to audit: Aug 22
 Last day to drop a course: Oct 26
 Holidays: See above weekly schedule
Assessments
 Make-up exams will be given only in the case of a valid, documented emergency
 There is a weekly lab assignment
 Late work is not accepted and will be assigned 0 credit
 No extra credit will be offered
Procedures for Assessing Student Performance
Grade Calculation Percentages:
Attendance: 10%
Weekly lab assignments: 50%
Test: 1 20%
Final Exam: 20% (LSCB 337)
Grading: A=90+, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, F= <60
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Note: Because GY305 is a "team-taught" course my assignments/exams during weeks 9-16 constitute
50% of the final grade.
Changes in Course Requirements
 Not all classes progress at the same rate thus course requirements might have to be modified as
circumstances dictate. You will be given written notice if the course requirements need to be
changed.
Academic Disruption Policy
 The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Academic Disruption is found in The
Lowdown, the student handbook.
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicdisruption.shtml: Disruptive academic behavior
is defined as individual or group conduct that interrupts or interferes with any educational activity
or environment, infringes upon the rights and privileges of others, results in or threatens the
destruction of property and/or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of order in an academic
environment.
 At all times students to be cordial, courteous and respectful of faculty members and fellow
students.
 Cell phones, laptops, videotaping and other electronic devices are not allowed in lecture or lab
Student Academic Conduct Policy
 The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Student Academic Conduct Policy is found
in The Lowdown http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicconductpolicy.shtml: The
University of South Alabama is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of inquiry,
freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of the individual are sustained. The
University is committed to supporting the exercise of any right guaranteed to individuals by the
Constitution and the Code of Alabama and to educating students relative to their responsibilities.
 Violation of academic conduct policy may result in receiving 0 credit for the affected
exam/assignment.
 Students enrolled in online courses are expected to adhere to the Academic Conduct Policy. In
particular, students are expected to complete their own coursework and not provide unauthorized
information or materials to another student.
 Policy on plagiarism software.
Students may learn about the meaning of plagiarism and how to avoid it at the following
link: http://www.southalabama.edu/univlib/instruction/plagiarismforstudents.html.
Students With Disabilities
 In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities will be
afforded reasonable accommodations. The Office of Special Student Services (OSSS) will certify
a disability and advise faculty members of reasonable accommodations. If you have a specific
disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please notify the instructor/professor
and provide certification from the Office of Special Student Services. OSSS is located at 5828
Old Shell Road at Jaguar Drive, (251-460-7212).
Course and Teacher Evaluation
 Student input for course improvement and instructor evaluations are taken seriously and do effect
change.
Course Supplements
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 GY305 normally has one or more undergraduate teaching assistants. Students are encouraged to
request extra lab time, help sessions, one-on-one training with equipment, etc. with the TA if the
instructor is not available.
Additional Requirements and Recommendations
Online Writing Support
 The University of South Alabama provides online writing tutoring services through
SMARTHINKING, an online tutoring service. SMARTHINKING is available at
http://services.smarthinking.com. Students may enter the site by logging on with their Jag
number and using the last four digits of the social security number as the password. For
log-on problems, technical questions and/or on-campus writing assistance, contact
the USA Writing Center at 251-460-6480 or e-mail csaint-paul@usouthal.edu.
 Information about the University Writing Center and Online Writing Lab can be found
online at
http://www.southalabama.edu/univlib/instruction/antiplagiarism/writinghelp.html.
Last Update: 08/15/2012
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