SPRING 2005
COURSE SYLLABUS
GE 445 CARBONATE SYSTEMS
Instructor:
Lewis M. Brown
Office: CH 324
Phone: X 2155
e-mail: lbrown@lssu.edu
Texts:
1.
Course Description:
GE 445 Carbonate Systems (3,6) 5 credits
The study and interpretation of carbonate sediments and environments
based on stratigraphic principles. Topics include biostratigraphy, facies
characteristics and relationships, depositional models, diagenesis, stratigraphic
diagrams and maps, and invertebrate paleontology. Weekend field trips may be
required. Prerequisites: GE 280 and GE 431
Course Objectives:
1. Students will gain laboratory skills in preparing and interpreting geologic maps;
stratigraphic maps including isopach, structure contour, and various facies maps;
and cross sections. Students will utilize RockWorks in preparing maps and cross
sections.
3. Students will interpret a variety of carbonate environments utilizing both
sequence stratigraphic and facies model paradigms.
4. Students will interpret depositional environments and diagenetic environments
in a variety of settings by analyzing hand and thin section rock samples.
5. Students will gain an understanding of carbonate sedimentologic principles.
6. Students will become familiar with fundamental well log analysis.
7. Students will become familiar with common macrofossil phyla by identifying
specimens
8. Students will gain understanding of fundamental biostratigraphic concepts
including concepts related to principles of zonation and paleoecology.
9. Students will gain an understanding of the relative importance of models of
evolution and environmental variation in identifying and naming species
10.Students will analyze invertebrate paleontology collections to interpret
depositional environments, to facilitate correlations, and to evaluate mechanisms
of evolution
Course Topics:
1.
2.
3.
6.
7.
Processes that form carbonates; the carbonate model; dolomite models
Petrography of carbonates
Carbonate diagenesis; diagenetic environments; porosity; permeability
Carbonate depositional environments
Concepts of biostratigraphy including correlation, stratigraphic units, sequence
stratigraphic concepts and terminology in the context of carbonate rock sequences,
lithofacies concepts and terminology in the context of carbonate rock sequences,
and the stratigraphic code
8. Macroscopic paleontology
9. Evolution models and concepts of morphologic variation related to evolution and
ecologic influence
9. Concepts of paleoecology
Student Objectives:
1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts and
principles of carbonate systems and invertebrate paleontology as described in course
objectives 1-9 by:
a. Active participation in all individual and group class activities and projects
including active participation in class discussions.
b. Completion of all assigned activity and project work including oral
presentations and papers.
c. Timely completion of assigned readings and text readings so as to be prepared
for class activities and discussions.
d. Completion of all course activities. This includes lecture activities, exams,
laboratories, and attendance. The final exam is comprehensive.
2. The student will demonstrate the ability to apply an understanding of the fundamental
concepts and principles of carbonate systems and invertebrate paleontology to the
solution of geologic problems by completing the assigned laboratory projects. Labs
meet twice per week; attendance is required.
Course Evaluation:
1. Quizzes: There will be a quiz after every text chapter. 30%
2. Exams: Midterm and comprehensive final. 20%
3. Class activities, reports, papers as assigned. 20%
4. Lab. 30%
5. Class attendance is required.
Student Accommodations and Support Services:
In compliance with Lake Superior State University policy and equal access laws, disabilityrelated accommodations or services are available. Students are to meet with the professor in a
timely manner, preferably the first week of class, to discuss their disability related needs.
Students are required to register with the Office of Student Accommodations and Support
Services (OSASS) for disability verification and for determination of reasonable academic
accommodations. OSASS is located in the KJS Library, Office 144, Ext. 7559.