SYLLABUS
GEOLOGY 1010 - PHYSICAL GEOLOGY - SPRING 2012 - RICK MILLER
INSTRUCTOR: Rick Miller
EMAIL: rkmiller@dixie.edu
OFFICE/HOURS: TuTh before/after class; also by appointment. Science, Room 115
CLASS TIME & LOCATION: TuTh 1:00-2:15 pm
Science Room 115
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Essentials Of Geology, 11th edition (Lutgens, Tarbuck & Tasa). 2012,
Pearson Pub. 554 p.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This course satisfies the Dixie State College General Education, Physical Sciences
requirement.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the skills required to make informed personal and social decisions
about the issues that we will face locally as well as globally.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic fundamental laws, concepts, and theories in the physical
sciences and be able to apply them to everyday life.
3. Will study the processes of science – how scientific knowledge is generated and validated – to
be able to make independent, empirical inquiries about the natural world.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the process of science by being able to utilize data in the form of
tables, graphs, and charts through interpretation and then communicate those finding in oral and
or written form.
Course Specific Goals:
1. Identify and describe earth materials including minerals and rocks.
2. To introduce various natural systems and cycles operating at or near the Earth’s surface.
3. Understand the major internal and external energy sources acting upon the Earth.
4. Identify and describe various landforms created by these sources of energy.
5. Apply the principles of geologic time to analyze the rates of geologic processes.
6. To critically observe and interpret natural phenomena using the textbook, lectures and field
trips around the St. George area.
7. Integrate information learned in class studies to evaluate geologic processes, and how those
processes can affect the people living in our community as well as the world.
8. Because we live in an ideal area to study geology, many of the processes and materials will be
observed as we learn about the geology of southern Utah.
9. Perhaps, most importantly, you will come to realize that the Earth is a dynamic planet and is
undergoing constant change due to the many internal and external geologic processes.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance at all lectures, quizzes and exams is expected, but is not mandatory
(roll will not be taken). However it is your responsibility to obtain class materials and assignments
if you miss a class meeting. In general, we will follow the schedule listed below, but timing
of topics will vary throughout the semester.
LECTURES: Lectures will be presented using PowerPoint format and also by outlines &
illustrations drawn on the class white boards. Topics discussed will follow the textbook as a
general rule. However, some topics discussed in the book will not be covered, and other
information that is not in the book will be presented.
QUIZZES & EXAMS: All quiz and exam times are listed in the schedule below. It is likely that
there will be some modifications during the semester. The day for each quiz and exam will be
announced in class one week before it is scheduled to be given. Unless otherwise noted, all
quizzes and exams will be given in our class room during our normal meeting times.
NO MAKEUP QUIZZES OR EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN
GRADES: Grades are based on all points earned during the semester from quizzes and exams.
All quizzes and exams will count. Extra credit assignments may or may not be available.
Class Points & Grading (Subject To Modification):
Semester Exams (3) approximately 100 each
300 points
Final Exam (1) approximately 100
100 points
Quizzes (3) approximately 25 each
Class Project/Field Trip (1) 25 points
Total:
75 points
25 points
500 points
Your final letter grade will be determined on the basis of the points earned as follows
A to A- = 100-90%
B+ to B- = 89-80%
C+ to C- = 79-70%.
D+ to D- = 69-60%.
F = <60%
This grade scale may be modified, depending on class performances on quizzes and
exams
Library:
Computer Lab:
Writing Center:
Testing Center:
Tutoring Center:
USEFULL WEB SITES:
www.lilbrary.dixie.edu
www.dixie.edu/helpdesk/lab_hours.php
www.dixie.edu/english/dsc_writing_center.php
www.dixie.edu/testing
www.dixie.edu.tutoring
IMPORTANT DATES
January 31. Last day to drop without receiving “W” grade
March 2. Last day to drop/audit classes
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
“If you suspect or are aware that you have a disability that may affect your success in the course
you are strongly encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) located in the North
Plaza Building. The disability will be evaluated and eligible students will receive assistance in
obtaining reasonable accommodations. Phone # 435-652-7516”
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The faculty and administration of Dixie College are opposed to
cheating in any form. Any student found cheating and proven guilty may expect to receive
a failing grade and be removed from the class. Expulsion from the college may also
result.
LECTURES, QUIZZES & EXAMS
(Scheduled By Week)
PART I. INTRODUCTION – UNDERSTANDING HOW THE EARTH WORKS
This section includes introductory information about our planet, the materials of Earth and
how these materials are organized on and in the Earth. Also we will consider the sources
of external and internal energy that keep things exciting.
JAN. 9 An Introduction to Geology
Sources of energy for Planet Earth
A Unique Historical Hypothesis: Continental Drift
Intro To Geology Ch 1
16
Earth Spheres: The Onion Model
Earth Interior
23
A Unifying Hypothesis: Geologic Time and the Geologic Time Scale
Geologic Time Ch 18; Ch 19
QUIZ 1
30
Minerals and Rocks: Building blocks of this planet
Rocks and the Rock Cycle
FEB. 6 Rock Groups:
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Plate Tectonics Ch 15
Ch 1; Ch 14
Matter & Minerals Ch 2
Igneous Rocks Ch 3
Metamorphic Rocks Ch 7
Sedimentary Rocks Ch 6
PART II. PROCESSES OPERATLING WITHIN THE EARTH
This section will consider the interior energy sources, organization and structure of Earth
and the processes that result in events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mountain
building and plate tectonics
13
Igneous Activity: Intrusive & Extrusive Rocks
Volcanic Activity
Igneous Rocks/Intrusives Ch 3
Ch 4
EXAM 1
20
The Earth’s Interior Structure
27
Structural Geology
Earth’s Interior Sturcture Ch 14
Structural Geology Ch 17
QUIZ 2
MAR. 5 Plate Tectonics: The Way the Earth Works
Birth of A New Theory
Spring Break – No Classes!
12
19
Plate Tectonics Ch 15
The Formation Of Mountains
Structural Geology Ch 17
PART III. PROCESSES OPERATING ON THE EARTH’S SURFACE
The focus of this section is to consider the energy sources that operate on the surface of
Earth, and to discuss the various types of land forms (= GEOMORPHOLOGY) and
conditions that result from this energy input.
26
Climate Changes
Global Climate Change Ch 20
EXAM 2
APRIL 2 The Hydrologic Cycle
Weathering & Formation of Soils
Subsurface Water Groundwater
Weathering/Soils Ch 5
9
Wind & Deserts
Oceans & Shorelines
16
Glaciation & Formation of Glaciers
Deserts Ch 12
Shorelines Ch 13
Ocean Floor Ch 16
Glaciers Ch 11
Groundwater Ch 10
QUIZ 3
23
Geologic Hazards (Are We Safe In St. George?):
Mass Wasting
Flooding
April 26
30
Final Exam Week: EXAM 3
Mass Movements Ch 8
Running Water Ch 9
Last Day Of Class
Intro To Geology
Matter & Minerals
Igneous Rocks/Intrusives
Volcanic Activity
Weathering/Soils
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Mass Movements
Running Water
Groundwater
Glaciers
Deserts
Shorelines
Earth Interior
Plate Tectonics
Ocean Floor
Structural Geology
Geologic Time
Changing Earth
Global Climate Change
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 4
Ch 5
Ch 6
Ch 7
Ch 8
Ch 9
Ch 10
Ch 11
Ch 12
Ch 13
Ch 14
Ch 15
Ch 16
Ch 17
Ch 18
Ch 19
Ch 20