PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY – GEOL 101 SFCC
FALL 2011
Instructor: Jennifer Barson
Office: Building 28-238
Office Hours: MW 10:00-10:30a, 12:30-2p; 3:15-4p
TTh 3:15-4p
Item-Section: 2772-AA/2775-A1
Lecture: MW 10:30a – 12:00p, R #28-141
Lab: TTh 9:30 – 11:30a, R #28-202
Email: jenniferb@spokanefalls.edu
Phone: 533-3060
Item-Section: 2778-BA/2781-B1
Lecture: MW 10:30a – 12:00p, R #28-141
Lab: TTh 11:30a – 1:30p, R #28-202
Text: Essentials of Geology, 10th Edition, Lutgens and Tarbuck
Lab Manual: provided in lab
SFCC Online Syllabus: http://faculty.spokanefalls.edu/
Tutorial Web Site: http://www.prenhall.com/lutgens
Weather Operations Hotline: 533-3303
Out of respect for fellow
students and your instructor,
please silence your cellular
phone. You will lose class
participation points and
possibly your phone if
caught texting during class.
Welcome to Geology 101! This fundamental geology course will introduce students to concepts in earth
science including minerals, the rock cycle, forces of nature, water, glaciers, geologic time, plate
tectonics, and more. This lab science will meet three hours per week for lecture and four hours per
week for activities in lab. Because this is a lab credit course, you are required to attend. If you miss
more than 2 lab classes, you will not pass this class. You must see me several days in advance or
provided a sufficient, written excuse for your absence. This course is fast-paced with rich vocabulary in
each chapter, and an emphasis on interdisciplinary concepts.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (GOALS)
The following are the objectives for students taking this course.
 Develop an appreciation for how the Earth works. Global geologic processes and their
interrelations and interactions are among the most fascinating processes occurring in our
Universe. Geologic forces have strong influences on human existence and well-being throughout
the world. By understanding how these forces work and the present state of scientific knowledge
in predicting the occurrence of some of these forces, students are better able to appreciate the
dynamic nature of our Earth.
 Develop a working vocabulary of geologic terms. Using this working vocabulary of geologic
terms, each student should be able to read and understand newspaper and magazine articles,
press releases, and policy statements that involve geologic processes and hazards. Students
coming out of this course will be informed citizens and better able to understand and influence
policy affecting their local, regional, national, and international environments.
SFCC RESOURCE STATEMENT
In order for learning to take place, students must feel safe; this safety is due all students, not only those
who share your values and beliefs. For this reason, courtesy, thoughtfulness, and acceptance are
essential in our discussions in and out of the classroom. Acceptance should not be confused with
agreement; one need not agree with a person to listen, and one must listen well in order to disagree
respectfully. Every student in this course has a voice and so deserves the courtesy of attentive listening
and the freedom to express diverse ideas.
SFCC GEOL 101
Barson Syllabus – Page 1
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE – TOPICS AND DATES MAY CHANGE
September - 2011
M-9/19
M-9/26
Ch 2 - Minerals
October – 2011
M-10/3
Finish Ch 3 lecture?
Ch 4 – Volcanism
M-10/10
Ch 5 - Weathering
M-10/17
Ch 6 – Sedimentary
Rocks
M-10/24
Ch 18 – Geologic
Time & Dating
T-9/20
T-9/27
Finish Ch 2 lecture?
Minerals lab 2
T-10/4
Minerals lab 2
T-10/11
Minerals Quiz
Igneous rocks lab 3
T-10/18
Igneous Quiz
Sedi-rocks lab 4
T-10/25
Sedimentary Quiz
Metamorphic lab 5
November & December – 2011
M-10/31 (OCT)
T-11/1
Lecture Exam 2
Metamorphic Quiz
Lab Exam 1 Review
Ch 5-7, 18
M-11/7
T-11/8
Ch 9* – Surface
Topographic Maps 6
Water
M-11/14
T-11/15
Finish Ch 10 Lecture Ch 11 Groundwater
Glacial Maps 8
M-11/21
T-11/22
Coastal Maps lab 9
Lecture Exam 3
Geo. Structures lab 10
Ch 8-11
M-11/28
T-11/29
Ch 17 – Folds, Faults, Geologic Structures
& Mountain Building lab 10
M-12/5 (DEC)
T-12/6 (DEC)
Finish Ch 14…Ch 15 Dead Day – no class
Plate Tectonics
W-9/21
Syllabus - Intro
Ch 1
W-9/28
Ch 3* - Magma &
Igneous Rocks
Th-9/22
Ch 1 - Intro activities
Ch 1 glossary terms
Th-9/29
Minerals lab 2
W-10/5
Ch 4 – Volcanism &
Magma Generation
W-10/12
Lecture Exam 1
Ch 1-4
W-10/19
Ch 7* - Metamorphic
Rocks
W-10/26
Ch 18 – Geologic
Time & Dating
Th-10/6
Igneous rocks lab 3
W-11/2
Ch 8 – Mass Wasting
Th-11/3
Lab Exam 1
W-11/9
Finish Ch 9…Ch 10 Groundwater
W-11/16
Ch 13 - Shorelines
Th-11/10
Fluvial Landforms
Maps 7
Th-11/17
General Maps Quiz
Glacial Maps 8
Th-11/24
Holiday – No Class
Th-10/13
Sediments, structures,
and provenance
Th-10/20
Sedi-rocks lab 4
Th-10/27
Topographic Maps 6
W-11/23
Faculty Work Day –
No Class
W-11/30
Th-12/1 (DEC)
Ch 14 – Earthquakes
Lab Exam 2
& Earth’s Interior
W-12/7 (DEC)
Th-12/8 (DEC)
SFCC finals
SFCC finals
Lecture exam 4
Ch 13-15, 17 no drop
** This schedule is very tentative and may be changed without prior notice.**
NOTE – Out of respect for fellow students and your instructor, please silence all cellular phones. You
may lose class participation points and possibly your phone if caught texting during class.
SFCC GEOL 101
Barson Syllabus – Page 2
GRADING OPPORTUNITIES
Lecture Exams
Laboratory Exams
Assignments & Discussions
Total
300 points
200 points
~300 points
~800 points
Lecture Exams: (300 points: 4 exams).
No make-up lecture exams will be given. You will take four lecture exams. I will discard your
lowest lecture exam score not including lecture exam 4. Contact me well in advance (3 days) of
the exam date if you cannot take a scheduled exam. In such cases, you may take the exam before
the scheduled time. Exams taken ahead of time may receive full credit. You are allowed one
8.5x11” sheet of note paper for the exam. No photocopied figures or photos allowed.
Laboratory Exams: (200 points: 2 exams)
No make-up laboratory exams will be given. You will take two laboratory exams. Contact me
well in advance (3 days) of the exam date if you absolutely cannot take a scheduled exam. In
such cases, you may take the exam before the scheduled time. Exams taken before the scheduled
date will receive full credit. You are allowed to use your lab manual for lab exams, nothing else.
Assignments and Discussions: (up to 250 points)
Assignments may be given indiscriminately throughout the quarter and will cover weekly materials
discussed in either lecture or lab. In-class assignments can vary in point range. No make-ups are given
for missed in-class assignments or discussions.
 Daily (in class) ‘Take-Home Message Assignments’ will be due on the day that the lecture
material is covered in class. Late ‘Take-Home Message Assignments’ will only be awarded
at most, 50% of the total points available, and only accepted until the date of the associated
exam for those lecture chapters. I will not accept hand-written versions.
 Other general assignments will be due before class begins and must be organized, and
professionally presented unless otherwise stated. Late general assignments will only be
awarded at most, 50% of the total points available after the first late business day, 25% of
the total points available after the second late business day, and zero points thereafter.
GRADING BREAKDOWN*
You are graded on your master of the material, and not necessarily your effort. Your grade will be
determined according to the percentage you achieve of the total points from the assignments, labs, in
class activities, and exams according to the following table:
Percentage
≥ 97
≥ 94 but < 97
≥ 90 but < 94
≥ 85 but < 90
≥ 80 but < 85
≥ 75 but < 80
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
GPA
4.0
3.7-3.9
3.4-3.6
3.1-3.3
2.8-3.0
2.4-2.7
Percentage
≥ 70 but < 75
≥ 65 but < 70
≥ 60 but < 65
≥ 55 but < 60
≥ 50 but < 55
< 50
Letter Grade
C+
C
CD+
D
F
GPA
2.0-2.3
1.6-1.9
1.3-1.5
1.0-1.2
0.7-0.9
0.0
*I reserve the right to consider factors such as attendance, exceptional participation/work,
cheating, etc. to determine the final grade. I may also give partial credit on assignments. You may
lose class participation points and possibly your phone if caught using it during class. You may
not miss more than two lab classes.
SFCC GEOL 101
Barson Syllabus – Page 3
COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS
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Classroom participation/contribution with a positive attitude is encouraged. Being alert and
interactive during lectures results in a benefit to yourself as well as others.
To promote positive classroom participation, please read the chapters and pages of the text
indicated on the schedule before coming to class. Please refer to the attached lecture schedule
to know which chapter will be covered each week in class. You may be quizzed on chapter
readings without warning, aka ‘pop quizzes’.
Class will start on time, and your attendance in this class is required. Your punctuality and
attendance in class are a courtesy to your fellow students and to your professor. Missing class
can be very detrimental to your success due to the amount of materials covered each day in
lecture and lab; you are responsible for learning all materials covered in lecture and lab.
Remember that make-up exams, in-class assignments, quizzes, and discussions are not given.
Communicate learning difficulties (regarding geology) by speaking to me as problems arise.
This course is designed and organized to effectively compliment the text, laboratory exercises,
and course objectives. Please follow the tentative class schedule. The instructor reserves the
right to alter lecture topics, labs, and exams accordingly.
Because this is a lab credit course, you are required to attend. If you miss more than 2 lab
classes, you will not pass this class. You must see me several days in advance or provided a
sufficient, written excuse for your absence.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. When caught, both students will face consequences.
No misuse of food, electronics, or cell phones. Disruptive talking or behavior that may
inhibit a constructive learning environment. Laptops or other electronics may be
prohibited if they are distracting to myself or other students.
LAB RULES
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For the purpose of laboratory safety, children are not permitted in the lab.
Out of respect for your fellow students and instructor, please turn off all cellular phones when
entering the lab. If this request is not respected, you may lose the use of your phone.
Drinks and snacks may be permitted in lab; however if problems arise with sloppiness and
disruptions, this privilege will be revoked for all students.
Caution should be used with any chemicals. Spills should be cleaned promptly with paper
towels. Report all spills or breakage to the instructor. If HCL has come in contact with skin,
wash the area immediately and completely. HCL contact on clothing may deteriorate the cloth
fibers upon laundering.
Mineral and rock samples may not be checked out of the lab.
STUDY SKILLS
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Read the assigned material from your Essentials of Geology, 10th Edition textbook. Check out
the student tutorials online at http://www.prenhall.com/lutgens. Also, check out the chapter
summaries, review quizzes, and animations on your GEODe: Essentials of Geology CD-ROM.
Regularly check the online syllabus webpage for SFCC Geology 101 – J. Barson. You may find
the following information helpful to your success in this class: downloadable PowerPoint lecture
handouts, exam figures, extra credit announcements, and updated syllabus documents.
Write your notes and answers in your own words so you are familiar with your work.
Come to class. Complete the in-class assignments. They will be graded and returned to you,
and will provide you with key concepts found on the exams. Take notes and ask questions.
Reading the text is not a sufficient substitute for learning. Class time will be spent going over
the material, and discussing issues in more depth and from different point of view than the text.
SFCC GEOL 101
Barson Syllabus – Page 4
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Take good notes. Just being physically present in class is not enough for most students. Write
down major concepts and questions through the lecture. Go over your notes after class and
clarify points while the ideas are fresh in your mind.
The textbook is not a novel. Do not read it like one (from start to finish). The trick is to skip
back and forth, flipping pages as you browse captions, images, and text. Start a chapter by
reviewing the summary to find out what the chapter is all about. Focus on the words in bold
print. Write down the big ideas on a piece of paper. Then flip through the chapter looking at
images and tables. Read the captions and attempt to understand the basic idea. Look to the text
to clarify things. Finally, after the lecture, go back and skim the chapter to make sure you
understand the concepts.
Studying is not a passive activity. For the best learning and retention, you should be actively
studying. Here are some possibilities: make up sample test questions and answer them,
reorganize your notes, visit the websites for online activities and animations, develop flash cards,
and study with classmates. Learning is often more successful when teaching a topic to someone
else. Geology is a very visual science, and using flash cards can help with key concepts. Peer
groups can also facilitate learning by providing complimentary points of view. Your peers can
be used as a resource much like your instructor.
Write your lab answers in your own words so you are familiar with your work. Answer lab
questions completely because you can use your lab manual as a resource during lab exams.
I highly encourage you to work in groups during lab. I will often ask those working
individually to join a group if they are struggling. Don’t take this personally. Your peers can be
used as a resource much like your instructor. As a matter of fact, they will likely explain
concepts in a manner which is easier to understand.
HEALTH CONDITION OR DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Any student who, because of a health condition or disability, may require accommodations in order to
effectively participate in this class should contact me after class and contact Disability Support Services
in Building 17, Room 201. Phone 509-533-4166 (DSS). Information about a disability or health
condition will be regarded as confidential.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND CONDUCT
You are expected to behave with integrity during activities involving this class. Turn off your mobile
phone or keep it on vibrate during lecture and lab. Cheating (including copying or providing answers)
and plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in severe academic sanctions, including but not
limited to a zero on the exam/assignment or failure of this course. Students aware of cheating are
expected to report it to the instructor. If you allow someone to copy your answers, it is very likely that
you yourself will also be included in any resulting disciplinary action. Cheating or plagiarism in group
work will affect the grades of each person in the group. You may want to read the Student Conduct
Code and Rules of Enforcement. Depending on the magnitude of the offence, expulsion from SFCC,
expulsion from class, or loss of grade are likely consequences.
SFCC BUILDING 28 - EMERGENCY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES
Should an emergency occur, stay calm and collected during the evacuation process. Attempt to judge the
severity of the emergency and decide whether to bring your belongings with you. You may not be
allowed back into the classroom for some time. We will discuss evacuation procedures in class. During
bad weather, evacuate to building 3/14 (social sciences.) Laboratory safety procedures will be discussed
in more detail while in lab. As a general rule, never play with the equipment or turn the equipment on
until instructed to do so.
SFCC GEOL 101
Barson Syllabus – Page 5