Geology 100 - Spring 2011: Lecture and Lab Syllabi
Topic
Introduction
Minerals
Magma and Igneous Rocks
Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks
Geologic Time
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Making Earth
Motion Inside the Earth
Deformation of Rocks
Global Tectonics: Plates & Plumes
Tectonics and Surface Relief
Soil Formation and Landscapes
Mass Movements
Streams
Groundwater Hydrology
Glaciers
Shorelines
Wind and Deserts
Global Warming
Reading Assignment
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3&4
Ch. 3&5
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
Ch. 21
Midterm: Mon, 5/2: in lecture
Final Exam: Wed, 6/8: 2:00-4:30
through Ch. 11
through Ch. 21
General Information
Course Goals:
Geology is the study of the solid earth and its surface waters. It is an exciting, stimulating topic that will
surprise you by how applicable it is to your everyday life in a wide variety of areas. You’ll learn how the Earth was
formed, what it’s made of, where valuable minerals, gems, and energy resources are found, how geology has shaped
the course of human history, why and where earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides occur, how to locate and
manage groundwater supplies, how global climate change and past environments are studied, etc. Because Geology
affects our lives in so many ways, its not surprising that Geology majors have among the best job opportunities of all
CSUB graduates, jobs that pay very well. So, in addition to learning a fascinating subject, you’ll have the
opportunity to look into great job prospects.
If you treat this course as a responsible student (e.g., do the reading ahead of time, participate actively in class,
seek out help when you’re confused, etc.), then I am confident that you’ll find this to be among most enjoyable
general education courses you take at CSUB. I guarantee that, at least at some level, the course will fascinate you
and that your lives will be enriched in some way including the fact that you’ll be a more responsible voter. You’ll
certainly never look at the landscape the same way again!
The goal of this course is to teach you the following main concepts.
• Identification and Formation of Rocks. Geologic events are recorded when rocks and/or sediments are
formed. Therefore, to study the Earth, you must know how to “read” rocks. Consider rocks and sediments
to be the books of geologists.
• Geologic Maps. If rocks and sediments are our books, then geologic maps are our libraries. Geologic maps
show the distribution of different rock types, orientations of rock layers, faults, landslides, volcanoes, etc.
on geographic maps, usually maps that also show elevations (aka, topographic maps). A trained eye can
decipher most of the geological history of an area from a geologic map.
•
•
•
Geologic Time. The earth was formed approximately four and a half billion years ago. In comparison, the
Elizabethan English were performing Romeo and Juliet ~five hundred years ago. Thus, if the formation of
the earth were considered to be at the beginning of a year, then everyone’s favorite romantic couple first
died on stage three and half seconds before midnight on December 31st at the end of that year!!!!! Geologic
time is not only difficult to comprehend; it is a critical concept for geologists. The age of rocks and
sediments must be understood before one can search for oil, determine the effects of human activities on
climate change, etc.
Plate Tectonics. This is the unifying theory of geology. It is our principal paradigm. Almost all geological
activity (e.g., earthquakes in California) can be explained and forecasted with the help of this grand model
of the earth.
The Mutual Impact of Society and the Earth. As our population grows at increasing rates, the importance
of our relationship with the earth increases accordingly. On the one hand, the earth will have an increasing
effect on us. For example, more and more people will be exposed to geologic hazards like landslides and
floods as population centers spread out. We, in turn, will have an increasing effect on the earth. The
depletion of natural resources such as soil, water, minerals, and petroleum and even the structure of our
global climate will be increasingly impacted as population increases.
Lecture Instructor:
Rob Negrini, Sci II, Rm 276, 654-2185; rnegrini@csub.edu; Office Hrs: TTh 1-3:00
Lab Instructor:
Staci Loewy, Sci II, Rm 338, 654-2550; sloewy@csub.edu; Office Hrs: MW 10-12:30
Grades:
Lab
Lecture Midterm
Final Exam
35%
30%
35%
100%
Lecture Textook:
How Does Earth Work?, Physical Geology and the Process of Science, 2009, by Smith
and Pun
Keep in mind that there is a LOT of reading. DON”T GET BEHIND!
Work inside of Class:
Your performance on the exams in large part depends on taking careful, detailed notes
in lecture and asking questions when you don’t understand something. If possible,
bring your text class so that you can follow along with the reading and relevant
illustrations. Again, DO NOT GET BEHIND WITH THE READING!
Work outside of Class:
Geology 100H is a five-unit course that represents one third of a full class load. As
such, you’re expected to put in at least twice time working on the course outside of
class as you spend in class. Besides studying for exams, etc., you are required to come
to class prepared. This includes doing the required reading corresponding to both the
lecture and lab sections. Also, rewriting your notes from the previous class helps a
great deal with understanding the more complex material.
Important!!:
If you miss an exam, you will not be allowed to make it up unless you notify me
before the exam begins. Even then, I will only give you a makeup under
extraordinary conditions, so clear it with me first. In other words, don’t assume that
I’ll let you make it up. I have an answering machine and I check my EMAIL all the
time. Thus there are no excuses for not notifying me beforehand.
Important!!:
It is your responsibility and ethical obligation to not engage in academic dishonesty of
any form (e.g., plagiarism). Details on campus policy toward violations in this area are
provided in the CSUB Catalog which can be purchased in the bookstore or accessed
online at the CSUB website:
(www.csub.edu/catalog/2009-2011_regularlyUpdated/pages/013.pdf)
Any violations will be punished without hesitation according to that policy.
2
Geology 100
Winter 2011
LAB SCHEDULE
1
Topic
No Lab
2
Minerals
3
Igneous Rocks
4
Sedimentary Rocks
5
Metamorphic Rocks
6
Rock and Mineral Quiz
7
Planets
8
Plate tectonics-Volcanoes
9
Topographic maps and profiles
10
Streams, Rivers and Groundwater
11
No Lab
Week
3