Course: Geology 104, Earth Science
Class Meets Tues-Thurs, 12:00 – 1:25 PM
Lecture Hours: 3.0
Spring 2012, Class Number: 92588
San Diego Mesa College Room H-314
EARTH SCIENCE COURSE SYLLABUS
San Diego Mesa College, Fall 2012, Tu/Th, 12:00 Noon - 1:25 pm Room H-314
Instructor: Phil Farquharson
CRN # 92588
Phone: none (E-mail works great!)
E-mail address: philfarq@gmail.com
Office Hours: 1:25 – 2:15 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays, room H-314 (our classroom)
Blackboard: https://sdccd.blackboard.com/ (where you will submit much of your work)
Web Site: http://earth-science.geology-guy.com (instructor’s personal, “unofficial” website)
Text’s web site: http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_tarbuck_escience_11/ (older edition, no login required)
Recommended Textbook
th
Earth Science, Tarbuck, Lutgens & Tasa, Twelfth (12 ) Edition, Prentice-Hall.

Print: ISBN-13: 978-0-13-602007-3, ISBN-10: 0-13-602007-0 - 10th or 11th editions or eBook okay too; 1 copy on
reserve at library (LRC),first floor reference desk.
Optional Regional Geology Resource Books
The Rise and Fall of San Diego: 150 Million Years of History Recorded in Sedimentary Rocks, Patrick L. Abbott, 1999,
Sunbelt Publications. ISBN: 0-932653-31-6
Roadside Geology Along Sunrise Highway, Michael J. Walawender, 2011, San Diego Association of Geologists. ISBN13: 978-0-916251-19-2
Instructor Availability
I am a friendly, helpful, approachable person. My office hours will be on the Mesa Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 2:30 until 3:30 PM. For other communications, E-mail is preferred, with backup method of the telephone.
Course Description (from SDCCD Class Schedule)
“This course investigates Earth's major physical systems, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, as well
as Earth's place in the solar system. As such, this course provides a brief synthesis of pertinent topics in geology, physical
geography, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. It is intended for those with a general interest in the Earth
sciences and those wishing to satisfy requirements for a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.(FT). Associate
Degree Credit & transfer to CSU. UC Transfer Course List.”
Course Prerequisites
“Advisory: ENGL 048 and ENGL 049, each with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or assessment Skill Levels
R5/W5.”
Student Learning Outcomes (“SLO’s”)
At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:

Communication - Students will be able to demonstrate ability to report and/or explain scientific information
appropriately.

Critical Thinking - Students will be able to utilize critical thinking skills and the scientific method to solve
problems, analyze and interpret data.

Technology Awareness - Students will be able to use modern technology to investigate questions.

Personal Responsibility - Students will come prepared for class and complete assigned work thoughtfully.

Environmental Responsibility - Students will be able to explain or describe the impact of the physical sciences
on the environment.
Instructor’s Course Objectives
I hope to help you to discover:

what geology is and what geologists do.
Page 1 of 4
Schedule Revised 14 Septermber 2012
Course: Geology 104, Earth Science
Class Meets Tues-Thurs, 12:00 – 1:25 PM
Lecture Hours: 3.0
Spring 2012, Class Number: 92588
San Diego Mesa College Room H-314

two words: PLATE TECTONICS

an appreciation of the immensity of geologic time and how this time is often punctuated by instantaneous
catastrophic events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions.

an understanding of how a variety of minerals and rocks are produced in the earth’s crust.

the geologic origins of important mineral resources and the distribution of these resources on the earth.

an appreciation of how much we have learned about geologic processes since I began my geological studies
forty-eight (!) years ago.

The “big picture” of our region of planet Earth – SW U.S.A. and NW Mexico
How You Will Succeed in this Course

Read and understand the text, paying close attention to:
1. the graphics and their captions (a picture truly is worth a kilo-word!)
2. the “boxes” of information scattered here and there
3. the chapter summaries, “terms to remember”, review questions, and supplementary information
4. the “stuff” at the end of the book: appendices, glossary, index
5. the possibility of a "pop" quiz now and again

Pay attention to the videos shown in class and any associated web sites

Attend all lectures assiduously and take notes relentlessly

Be observant of your surroundings – ask yourself “Why?”

Pay close attention to all instructions on all tests and homework assignments

DO NOT rely solely on the PowerPoint presentations on the class web site, as these are merely outlines
Grades:
Grades are based on the following percentages of total points:
A: 90% or more
B: 78 to 89%
C: 65 to 77%
D: 55 to 64%
F: 54% or less.
1. Quizzes/Exams (aka Celebrations of Knowledge): Right off the bat, there is a 10-point quiz on this syllabus, due
in Blackboard a week from the first class meeting. There will be in-Blackboard quizzes on each subject
(chapter) covered (10 to 20 points each) three mid-term exams (40 to 50 points each) and a final exam (60
points). The quiz format is multiple choice, and the exam format is short essay.
2. Writing assignments (20 to 30 points each): There will be several writing assignments due during the semester,
involving a keynote video, and reading of online and off-line material, and posted in Blackboard as an
attachment.
The following are considered “Extra Credit” in addition to the above:
3. Field Trips (10 points per day with completed handout). More information in Blackboard.
4. Weekend Field Trip (10 pts per day with completed handout). Joint trip with Miramar College scheduled for the
weekend of November 3-4; more information in Blackboard.
5. Article Reviews (10 points each; up to 2 per semester): These should be about 500 words long and include the
appropriate citation and bibliography.
Course grades are calculated on:
Quizzes - 190 points Writing assignments - 100 points Exams - 200 points Total: 490 points
Academic Misconduct:
Section 41301 of Title V of the California Code of Regulations defines academic misconduct as “cheating or plagiarism in
connection with an academic program at a campus.” Examples of cheating include using notes or copying others’ work
Page 2 of 4
Schedule Revised 14 Septermber 2012
Course: Geology 104, Earth Science
Class Meets Tues-Thurs, 12:00 – 1:25 PM
Lecture Hours: 3.0
Spring 2012, Class Number: 92588
San Diego Mesa College Room H-314
during an exam, using old exams and study guides to prepare for an exam, and falsifying data or records for an exercise.
Examples of plagiarism include copying other students’ answers or, when working in collaborative groups, not stating
answers in your own words, based on your own understanding. For more information about plagiarism, please see the
following: http://www.sdccdonline.net/students/resources/College_Policies.pdf.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION (Policy 3105)
The District is committed to the fundamental principles of nondiscrimination and accommodation in academic programs
and to all provisions of Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990. District Policy 3105 provides for academic adjustments for students with disabilities.
Important Stuff:
•
•
•
•
•
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It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending. NOTE: Please contact
me before withdrawing from the class. There may be options that allow you to complete the class.
It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline, (see below for date) due to
excessive absences. I define excessive absences as more than 3.
Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline, as stated in the class
schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.
The final grade in this class will be affected by active participation, including attendance, due to the in-class
activities and oral homework assignments.
If you have a disability and need academic accommodations, please notify me as soon as possible.
The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the release of any student educational
information to another individual, including family members, without the student's written consent.
Important Dates:
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•
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August 31:
September 4:
September 21:
October 26:
Thursday, December 13, 2012:
Last day to add. Last day to drop with no “W” recorded.
Last day to drop with Refund.
Pass/no pass deadline
Last day to withdraw.
Final Exam
Optional Field Trip Schedule



October 20, Saturday
November 3 and 4 (full weekend – details to follow)
November 9, Friday
Sunrise Highway/Mt. Laguna
Agua Caliente Regional Park
Tourmaline Beach
**Field trips include trips to nearby locales, eastern San Diego County to observe igneous plutonic formations and desert
geology and coastal San Diego to observe and map Eocene sedimentary formations.
Important Note about the Schedule:
This schedule is tentative and may be changed or modified by the instructor at any time during the semester. Students
will be notified in a timely basis if changes are made. The latest version will always be found in Blackboard and on the
“unofficial” web site at http://earth-science.geology-guy.com.
Page 3 of 4
Schedule Revised 14 Septermber 2012
Course: Geology 104, Earth Science
Class Meets Tues-Thurs, 12:00 – 1:25 PM
Lecture Hours: 3.0
Spring 2012, Class Number: 92588
San Diego Mesa College Room H-314
Revised Schedule, 14 September 2012
Month
Day
August
21
September
October
November
December
TOPIC
TEXTBOOK CHAPTER(S) that cover
topics addressed in class (12th ed.)
“Due”
Tue
Introduction/the scientific method
Ch. 1
23
Thu
Earth’s origin and internal structure
Ch. 1
28
Tue
Plate tectonics and the sea floor
Ch. 7
30
Thu
(continuing...)
Ch.1
4
Tue
(continuing...)
Ch. 7
6
Thu
(continuing...)
11
Tue
(continuing...)
13
Thu
Matter and Minerals
Ch. 2
18
Tue
Rocks & the Rock Cycle
Ch. 3
20
Thu
25
Tue
27
Thu
2
Tue
Running Water & groundwater
Ch. 5
4
Thu
Glaciers, Deserts & Wind
Ch. 6
9
Tue
Earthquakes
Ch. 8
11
Thu
16
Tue
18
Thu
23
Tue
Crustal Deformation, Mtn. Building
Ch. 10
25
Thu
Geologic Time
Ch. 11
30
Tue
Ocean Water and Ocean Life
Ch. 14
1
Thu
6
Tue
8
Thu
13
Tue
The Atmosphere
Ch. 16
15
Thu
Moisture, Clouds, Precipitation
Ch. 17 / Exam #3 Due (third 5 subjects)
2022
27
TuTh
Tue
Thanksgiving Week
No Classes
Air Pressure, Wind, Weather Patterns
Ch. 18, 19
29
Thu
Climate Change
Ch. 20
4
Tue
6
Thu
Celestial mechanics/Earth’s place in solar
system
11
Tue
To Infinity and Beyond!
13
Thu
putting it all together...
Quiz 0
Living Rock Homework due
(continuing...)
Ch. 2
Divergent Boundaries Homework Due
Weathering, Soil and Mass Wasting
Ch. 3
Ch. 4 / Exam #1 Due (first 4 subjects)
(continuing...)
Ch. 4
Ch. 5-6
(continuing...)
Ch. 8
Volcanoes and other Igneous Activity
(continuing...)
Ch. 9
Exam #2 Due (second 4 subjects)
Ch. 9
Ch. 10-11
(continuing...)
Ch. 14
The Dynamic Ocean
Ch. 15
(continuing...)
Ch. 15
Ch. 16-17
Ch. 18-19
(continuing...)
Ch. 20
Ch. 21, 22 / Exam #4 opens
Ch. 21, 22
Final Exam due
Page 4 of 4
Schedule Revised 14 Septermber 2012