University of South Alabama Course Syllabus
Course Information
Term: Summer 2015
GY111L, section 101, Physical Geology Lab (1 semester credit)
Course Format: Web-enhanced
Class days and time: M,W,Th 12:40 – 2:45 PM
Building/Room number: LSCB 335
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
Materials that make up the Earth as well as the properties and geological processes that operate in the
Earth. Special topics include Plate Tectonics, mineral chemistry, the rock cycle, sedimentary processes,
metamorphism and geological map interpretation.
Course Topical Outline
GY111L Physical Geology Lab Topics
The following topics will be covered during the semester:
WEEK 1: Lab. 1: Minerals
(6/24/15) Lab. 2: Minerals; Mineral Quiz
WEEK
Lab. 3: Mineral Test; Igneous Rocks
Lab. 4: Igneous Rocks; Igneous Quiz
2:
(6/29/15) Lab. 5: Igneous Test; Sedimentary Rocks
WEEK 3:
(7/6/15) Lab. 6: Sedimentary Rocks; Sed. Rock quiz
Lab. 7: Sed. Rock test.; Metamorphic rocks
Lab. 8: Metamorphic rocks; Metamorphic quiz
WEEK 4: Lab. 9: Metamorphic test; Structural Geology
(7/13/15) Lab. 10: Geologic map interpretation
Lab. 11: Geologic map interpretation
WEEK 5:
Lab 12: Geologic Map test
(7/20/15)
Course Goals and Objectives
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The GY111 Lab course goal is to train students to identify minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks,
and metamorphic rocks using mineral physical properties, and rock classification systems. In addition the
student will learn how to interpret fundamental structures from geological maps and cross-sections.
Course Pre-requisites / Co-requisites
Corequisite: GY111
Course Materials:
Online lab manual is provided by instructor
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.).
 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: May 27
 Last day to drop a course: July 6
 Holidays: See above weekly schedule
Assessments
 Make-up exams will be given only in the case of a valid, documented emergency
 There are 3 weekly lab assignments
 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: 90%
Grading: A=90+, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, F= <60
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
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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
 GY111 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.
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 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: 06/6/2015
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