EARTH SCIENCE (GLY1001)/Summer 2013/Dr. Kane
All Lecture SECTIONS
Instructor’s Profile:
Mustapha Kane, Ph.D.
Email: mustapha.kane@fgc.edu
Work Phone: 386-754-4452
Office Location Science Building (#9), Room 118/119
Office Hours: 8:30am to 2:30pm; M-F
Personal Link: https://www.fgc.edu/about-us/faculty-and-staff-directory/personnelpage/mustapha-kane/
My Résumé: https://www.fgc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/my-resume.pdf
Why you need to take an Earth Science class:
AGI Videos: Click Here
Education vs. Just Getting the Grades:
For most of you this class is just a General Education class like any other science class, and you
are here to satisfy a requirement, raise your GPA, and move on. Maybe so but I want you to
know that you are doing more than just taking a class, you are getting an EDUCATION. Why is
education important to you? I will just give you an example: climate literacy. Nowadays, every
citizen of the world should be climate literate. The climate is changing, you should know why
and what’s in store for you, your love ones, and maybe one day, your business.
Education is important because
It helps develop your critical thinking and gives you an analytical mind to help you make better
decisions in life
It helps you see the importance of decisions based on reason and not passion
It helps you be an informed and open-minded rather than an ignorant and narrow-minded citizen and
an easy prey to actions of smarter and more knowledgeable people around you.
To show you why education is important, simply compare and contrast the lives of people in
developed vs. underdeveloped countries. If you don’t want to look that far, then right here in US,
compare the highly educated and wealthy states to the less educated and poor states.
Please make every effort to LEARN, not just pass the tests.
Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course are to teach you the basic and some in-depth knowledge of the
Earth and its systems, and give you an objective understanding of the interactions between
people and the physical environment we live in. Understanding the Earth Systems (geosphere,
hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere) is not only crucial but also critical to solving
environmental problems. The main components of this course are physical geology, with
hydrogeology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy.
Upon completion of this course you should be able to:
Understand how Earth interactive systems and their processes operate.
Know the two Earth’s engines and Earth’s internal structure that keep it “alive”
Understand and be able to recognize and apply the scientific methodology.
Know the causes behind geological, atmospheric, oceanographic, and astronomic phenomena’s,
such as earthquakes, volcanism, flood, landslides, hurricane, climate changes, coastal processes,
and how they shape the Earth, and affect human lives.
Know the role of Earth scientists and Earth resources, and their impact in building our modern
civilization.
And much more...
Teaching style
My teaching method is interactive; it is one way to induce critical thinking. Because I want the
students to be full partners in the learning process as active, not passive-learners, I tend to favor
an interactive type of teaching over the straight talk called lecturing, I strongly encourage every
student to participate in answering my questions and asking me some, as well. You are also
welcome to share with us your personal experience and observations of Earth’s phenomena. I
will be calling your name and asking you questions as I teach, all in a fun atmosphere. This is
part of the recommended college learning style. The less communicative you are, the more
questions you will get from me. If you do not like it, then this class is not for you; you can switch
to the online version, you will be on your own, at your own pace.
I will give a 50 to 100% extra credit per question to students who voluntarily choose to answer
challenging questions I will ask in class.
HOW TO ACCESS COURSE DOCUMENTS:
All course documents are available at the Course Website: https://www.fgc.edu/aboutus/faculty-and-staff-directory/personnel-page/mustapha-kane/
Go to the Homework link for the PowerPoint, the Homework assignments and the Earth Revealed
videos, and more.
PowerPoint Presentation
The PowerPoint Presentation of this course is available on the course website.
 Go to the homework link to find the link to the PowerPoint presentation on every chapter.
 Copy the chapter PowerPoint before coming to class and follow my presentation. Do not try to
copy the PowerPoint from the board while I teach; only take the extra information I give you.
 It is your responsibility to review your notes and read the next chapter before coming to class
in case you have questions to ask me. If you don’t, you will not be prepared for the next
chapter.
 It is like climbing a stairways, one step at a time. Make sure you have your feet firmly on one
step before moving to the next one
The course website has links to the videos we watch as a supplement to the lectures
.
Go to Study guide to open them. The study guide PDF also has imbedded links to the internet for
more information on a specific subject.
Homework: Open the homework link, scroll down to where it says homework. The
homework assignments are listed in order. A homework is made of a key terms assignments and a
practice test. Answer the key term questions and the practice test questions, and bring both items to
class on test day. Homework are not to be e-mailed to me they are due on test day. A homework
turned in on test day is worth 100% if not turned in on test day, it will be a zero, no excuses.
Tests: Tests are 30 questions multiple choice or true /false, for aproximately 20minutes. I will
include in each test some bonus questions on previous chapters to help you make sure you still
remember what we covered. Bonus questions are often a life saver, especially when you did not get
time to prepare for the test.
If you miss a test you have either go to online at http://www.masteringgeology.com to retake a
makeup or show a valid notice of absence to schedule for a makeup in school. Any student can go to
the mastering site to retake a test to improve their in-class test grade. After taking a test online a
student has to mark on the class sign-in sheet that he/she has taken a test online. That is the only
way I can use the score to give you credit.
Quizzes: There will be up to 3 short quizzes of 4 to 5 multiple choice questions on every
chapter we cover. After covering part of a chapter I will give the class a quiz on that part, that
day. The only way to prepare for a quiz is to read the textbook chapter in advance or to take
notes and pay careful attention in class. A quiz consists of a 2 to 3 minutes video tutorial that will
recap part of a chapter after I cover it. You will watch the video and answers questions. It is very
important that you pay attention, take notes and ask questions when I lecture as you will not have
time to process the information on the video. The video is simply a visual information support of
the lecture material. Quizzes are important as they help you pay attention in class, learn how to
take notes. Any student whose average grade on the quizzes is 80% or higher will be exempt
from doing the homework and taking the upcoming test on that chapter, and therefore can skip
class on test day when I say so. If a student fails the quizzes, the grade on the test will replace it.
If a student fails the test, he /she still gets another shot at a better grade by going to
masteringgeology.com and taking the online version of the test for makeup. Quizzes are also an
excellent way to review the chapter before test.
Masteringgeology Online: (Not a requirement but essential for getting better grades
and using the online material rich in content).
You may need to register to Masteringgeology at http://www.masteringeology.com
to take makeup tests or improve your test grades. I will only use your online grades if you mark
on the sign in sheet that you took tests online. You can still take makeup tests at my office but
only if you schedule in advance and bring a valid notice of absence. Registering to
masteringgeology also enables me to contact everyone via e-mail at once to confirm test dates.
Registering is easy but not free, but make sure to do it ASAP. Do not wait until you find out that
you are failing the class to try to register; it could be too late.
Here is what you need if you decide to register to masteringgeology:
 A correct email address (please, make sure your e-mail address is working)
 The Course ID is ESKANE26489
 A Student Access Code (it comes with your textbook, free of charge); If you have a used
textbook go to the bookstore or online to purchase an access code. You can also purchase an
access code while registering. Dual enrollment students get free access codes form their
school counselor.
 Go to this website and register: http://www.masteringgeology.com save the link to your
“Favorites”.
Digital Fiel Trips: This course comes not only with a textbook but also with digital material
like a GeOD practice, animations, and short videos to help visual learners. Natural sciences education
should always be accompanied with hands-on classroom activities or field trips whenever possible.
Unfortunately due to logistics problems, there will be no real field trips. However, Digital field trips will
be offered in this class. We will examine and debate cases of environmental sustainability, climate
changes, etc..., as well
Withdrawal policy
From the Dean's office: “It is the student's responsibility to initiate a withdrawal from a course. A
student may initiate withdrawal up to the date published in the college calendar for the last day to
withdraw. The instructor cannot withdraw students from a course. To withdraw, the student must
fill out a Course Schedule Change form, available in the Registrar's Office or in Advising
Services. The form must be complete and be signed by the student and an advisor. The student
who does not clear his or her record by filing the withdrawal form with the Registrar’s office,
prior to the published date for withdrawal, may be assigned an "F" grade.” Last Day of Student
initiated withdrawal is ________
Attendance (School Policy):
The sign in sheet will be available five minutes before class ends for you to sign your name for
attendance. If you live class before class dismissal or without signing your name you will be
counted absent. Therefore, if you were present and did not sign the roll, it will count as an
absence. If you are more than five time absent without valid notice, I will report the case to the
Dean. Please do not sign for a student who is absent, you may face disciplinary actions as some
scholarship monies are tied to strict class attendance requirements.
Make-up policy:
If you cannot take a test for a valid and legitimate verifiable reason (i.e.: sickness with a valid
doctor’s note), let me know in advance by e-mail only so we can schedule a make-up date in
school. A student, who fails to show up for a test or contact the instructor prior to a test, will not
be given a make-up test. Also, a student who shows up for a test and refuses to take it and ask for
a make-up test instead, will be given a “F” grade for that test. If you have problems, contact the
instructor in advance. We are here to help. If an instructor does not hear from you, he cannot
help you. There two ways you can take a makeup test: Either by going online to the
corresponding chapter test (Practice test or Quiz), or by scheduling a makeup at school by emailing me.
Disabilities:
Arrangements will be made to meet the needs of qualified and registered students with
disabilities, with respect to the school's rules and regulations. It is your responsibility, therefore,
to register with the Disabled Students Services, so I can be notified of your needs for special
accommodations
Class Schedule:
Every effort will be made to follow the lecture and tests schedule, however, because of the
intensive use of technology in the classroom, and my interactive style of teaching, some chapters
may require more time than others to complete, therefore, the dates given here can only be
approximate. It is part of your responsibilities to read every scheduled Chapter before coming to
class, and to consult the course website resources for possible handout posted, and possible
changes in the schedule.
You are responsible to being up to date on all information given and all material covered in class.
Tests Dates:
Exams and Tests dates will be scheduled in class at your convenience. I will e-mail students
through Coursecompass every time a decision for a test date is made. If you miss class or do not
get my e-mail ask your classmates.
All test dates are subject to change without written notice. If you miss classes, it will be your
responsibility to keep yourself up to date on recent changes made to the schedule.
Class Activities: We will be doing critical thinking class activities followed by short quizzes
sometimes. These activities are meant to help you sharpen your notes tacking skills and your
focus in class. So, be prepared.
How to check your grades:
Your grades will be available online on Blackboard one hour after taking your test whenever possible.
It is your responsibility to check your grades. I may not bring your test grades to class. If you need to
look at your scantron, please come to my office.
Homework :
Homework can be done with one or two partners. Find a partner you wish to work with, and turn
in your homework before every test. I encourage group work.
As a supplement to the lecture sessions, the class will be broken into groups of five students or
more for class projects on specific topics. Students will research these topics and present them to
the class for class discussion and debate.
Homeworks are due on test day. Turn them in before you take the test. A homework is the Key
terms page and the practice test page together. If you miss one, it will cost you 50%.
All homework are mandatory and count for 50% of your final grade.
Warning!
No electronic devices in class!
No disruptive behavior will be tolerated in this class. In this class, a disruptive behavior is
defined among other things, as excessive talking, use of a cell phone, iPod, iPhone, or other
distractive devices in class, walking out of the class room to answer a phone call, walking out of
the class before class dismissal, excessive tardiness (more than three), eating or drinking in the
class room, use of abusive and disrespectful language, working on other irrelevant course
assignments while in the Earth science class session, etc…Any disruptive behavior will be given
two warnings, then withdrawal will follow without notice, plus other appropriate disciplinary
actions as specified by the school code of conduct. Any student caught cheating on a test will be
given a zero. If the student complains against the accusations with a rude language and behavior,
SECURITY will be called.
No excessive talking, and no food or drinking in the classroom.
Thank you for your cooperation, and have a great semester. Students came
to this school to get an education; it is my responsibility to ensure they get it in a safe mature
environment.
Your
final grade will be:
• Tests or Quizzes: 50% (depending on which you scored the most)
• Homework: 50% (you get a 100% for every homework turned in on time, and a zero if
not turned in on time)
Grading Scale:
A+ 95 - 100%
A 90 - 94%
B+ 85 - 89%
B 80 - 84%
C+ 75 - 79%
C 70 - 74%
D+ 65 - 69%
D 60 - 64%
F < 60%
COURSE CALENDAR: (all test dates will be determined in class).
May 13 – 16
Lecture: Chapter 1, Introduction to Earth Science
Test1a/Turn in Homework 1a
May 20 – May 23 May 27 is Memorial Day
Lecture: Chapters 2, Minerals
Test1: (chapters 1, and 2)/Turn in Homework 1
May 27 – May 30 June 5 is Midpoint of semester
Lecture: Chapter 3, Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary Rocks
Test3a: (Chapters 3, and 9 excluding metamorphic and sedimentary rocks)/Turn in Homework 2
Test3b: (Rock and mineral samples identification)/Use the GEODe of online course material to
review; it is recommended that you have a partner for this test.
June 3 – June 6
Lecture: Chapter 9, Volcanoes
Test3: (Chapter 9 plus Metamorphic and Igneous rocks)/Turn in Homework 3
June 10 – June 13
Lecture: Chapter 5: Running Water and groundwater
Test4: Groundwater (Chapters 5 only)/Turn in Homework 4
June 17 – June 20 Last day of class is June 20
Digital Field Trips: Environmental Awareness, Environmental
Sustainability.
You must be present. Any absence will cost you a 3% deduction off your final
grade per absence.
Earth Report Field Trips followed by a debate: Here are some examples.
Video Field Trip: Energy -- Coal-Fired Power Plant; 6.12min
Video Field Trip: Solar Energy 3min
Earth Science Careers: Need a major?
What do Earth scientists do?
Understand and predict the behavior of Earth systems and the universe.
Find natural resources such as ground water, petroleum, and metals to sustain the needs of
modern economy, and use them in way that safeguard the environment.
Understand and predict natural hazards, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods,
landslides, hurricanes, and tsunamis, to reduce human suffering and property loss.
For more, go to the bottom of this page.
Earth Science Course Learning Outcomes
General Ed. Learning
Outcomes
Course Specific Learning
Outcomes
Method of Assessment
B. Critical Thinking Part 1:
Student will demonstrate the
ability to
question and evaluate information
(data, ideas or concepts) for
accuracy,
Objectivity, and quality
Know how to decipher and
interpret
or identify Earth material or
processes
through a collection of facts and
field or laboratory experiments
data.
B. Critical Thinking Part 2:
Student will demonstrate the
ability to
analyze information (data, idea or
concepts) in context to draw
appropriate
and well supported conclusions.
Be able to use data of Earth
material
By mean of science projects,
hands-on
assignments, students will do
qualitative
and quantitative analysis of Earth
material and processes to identify
them through their properties and
characteristics.
Minerals and rocks identification
sessions using their physical
properties.
Use of PRS (clickers) to evaluate
students understanding of earth
material and processes.
_______________________________________________________________________
Because I value hard work and dedication, I will exempt you from taking the final
test if you
 Have an A average (90% minimum) by June 20 at 8:00 am, the last day of
class;
 Have regularly turned in all your homeworks on test days;
 Participated to the debate project and passed;
 Have a good attendance record (less than three unjustified absences);
 Have not received a warning for disrupting the class;
 Have not been more than three times late for class, or left the class early
before dismissal.
Any makeup test grade that is not reported to me in class through the sign-in sheet by the last day of class will not
count for the final test exemption.
INSTRUCTOR’S CLASS SCHEDULE
Summer A: 05/13/13 to 06/20/13
Start
7:007:30
7:308:00
8:008:30
8:309:00
9:009:30
9:3010:00
10:0010:30
10:3011:00
11:0011:30
11:3012:00
12:0012:30
12:301:00
1:001:30
1:302:00
2:002:30
2:303:00
3:003:30
3:304:00
4:305:00
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
OFFICE
OFFICE
OFFICE
OFFICE
10:0011:55
10:0011:55
10:0011:55
10:0011:55
GLY 1001001
GLY 1001001
GLY 1001001
GLY 1001001
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
Lecture
009-150
009-150
009-150
009-150
GLY 10010I1
GLY 10010I1
GLY 10010I1
GLY 10010I1
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Online
Online
Online
Online
GLY 10010I2
GLY 10010I2
GLY 10010I2
GLY 10010I2
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Earth
Science
Online
Online
Online
Online
Friday
Saturday
More on Geoscience
Careers:
Shortage of geoscientists:
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/careers/gw-06-002.pdf
What do geoscientists do?
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/careers/brochure.html
Geoscience Job offers:
http://www.geotimes.org/ads.html
Find what geoscience career is right for you:
http://guide.agiweb.org/employer/index.html
FAQ about geoscience career:
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/careers/faqs/index.html
Video: http://www.earthscienceworld.org/careers/video/index.html
What college or University to choose for a Geoscience degree?
http://guide.agiweb.org/ggd/index.html
Geoscientist job profile:
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/careers/profiles/index.html
Geoscience enrollment statistics:
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/careers/stats/index.html
Scholarship for women and minorities:
http://www.awg.org/eas/scholarships.html
http://www.blackexcel.org/100minority.htm
Geology and Geography Student Information, Georgia Southern University
All scholarships:
http://students.washington.edu/bsu/scholarships.htm