GEOGRAPHY/EARTH SCIENCE 115 - NATURAL DISASTERS/ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Spring 2013 MW 9:30 – 10:50am NS 117 Instructor - Professor Key
Professor’s office – NS 110I Instructor web address: http://daphne.palomar.edu/dkey
Text: Natural Disasters, Abbott, 8th edition.
Week of… Subject Chapter
2
3
Jan. 21 Internal Energy and Plate Tectonics
28 Earthquake Geology and Seismology
Feb. 4 Earthquake Geology and Seismology
11 Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes
18 Earthquake Lessons and Regional Settings
Exam #1 Ch. 2 – 5, Wednesday, Feb. 20
3 (cont.)
4
5
6 25 Volcanic Eruptions: Plate Tectonics and Magmas
March 4 Volcanic Case Histories: Killer Events
11 Tsunami Versus Wind Caused Waves
18 External Energy Fuels Weather and Climate
Exam #2 Ch. 6 – 9, Wednesday, March 20
25 No Classes – Spring Break
7
8
9
April 1 Tornadoes, Lightning, Heat, and Cold
8 Hurricanes
15 Climate Change
22 Climate Change (cont.)
Exam #3 Ch. 10 – 12, Wednesday, April 24
29 Floods and Fire
10
11
12
13, 14
May 6 Mass Movements
13 Impacts with Space Objects
15
16
FINAL EXAM CHAPTERS 13 - 16:
Final exam date and time: Wednesday, May 20, 10:00am –11:50am
HAZARDS AND DISASTERS PICTURE ASSIGNMENT:
This assignment is discussed on a separate handout. It is worth up to 40 points. One-half of the assignment is required; the second half may be done for extra credit (20 pts. Required; 20 pts. Extra credit).
GRADING:
Each exam including the final = 100 pts. The picture assignment required portion is 20 points.
Total possible = 420 points excluding the extra credit.
PERCENT GRADING SCALE:
90 -100% = A
80 - 89% = B
55 – 64% = D below 55% = F Scale may be adjusted downward if necessary.
65 - 79% = C

EXAMS:
Please note the following regarding exams:
1. A heavy emphasis is given to topics covered during lecture. Therefore, it is imperative that you attend
class and take good notes.
2. When I write exams, definitions of terminology, basic concepts, and location of hazards are what I
consider to be most important.
3. Do not arrive late for an exam. It only cuts into your time allowed.
Important note: You must keep copies of all graded assignments. This means you must pick up your exams when they are returned in class. At the end of the semester, if there is any question about your score on an exam or whether or not you completed an exam, you will be required to produce a copy of the exam in question.
MAKEUP EXAMS:
Only one exam may be made up. Any exam that is missed may only be made up on the last day of regular classes or after completing the final exam. However, if you know ahead of time that you cannot be here for an exam, we may be able to arrange another time for you to take it.
USE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE DICTIONARIES:
Students are permitted to use foreign language dictionaries during exams if they are hard copies. Electronic or hand-held devices of any type are not permitted during exams.
IMPORTANT ADD AND DROP DATES:
Sunday, Feb. 3 - Last day to add a full-term class.
Sunday, Feb. 3 – Last day to drop with no notation on record.
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - Last day to change grading status (pass/no pass option).
Friday, March 8 - Last day to drop a class with a “W” grade. After this date, an evaluative grade must be
given.
Only students who are officially registered may participate in this class. If you are given a permission code to add this class, you must officially add the class prior to the next class meeting. If you have difficulty using the on-line registration system to add, please notify the instructor immediately. The deadline for adding this class or using a permission code to add is Feb. 3, 2013. Students will not be allowed to add this class after
the add deadline.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is required. Attendance is also taken randomly. If you have four unexcused absences during the semester, you will be dropped from the class. If you miss a test and then the next two classes after that
test, you will be dropped from the class. Excused absences are those in which I am notified prior to class of an existing problem (illness, work schedule, etc.). During the first two weeks of classes, any unexcused absences will result in your being dropped from the class.

CLASS DISRUPTIONS:
This is a college classroom. Arriving late (other than on rare occasions) and inappropriate talking in class may result in your being asked to leave. If you do arrive late, please be as quiet and non-disruptive as possible when taking a seat. Also, please either turn off or on to manners mode all cell phones and pagers before
coming to class. Cell phones must be put away and out of sight. If your phone is out, I will assume you are using it.
CHEATING:
Cheating on exams is taken very seriously. At a minimum, cheating will result in that individual receiving a
"0" for that exam and being reported to the Director of Student Affairs.
HOW TO CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR: I may be contacted in the following ways:
1. In person. Office NS 110I
2.
3.
Phone. If I'm not in, leave a message. 744-1150 Ext. 2515
E-mail: dkey@palomar.edu
ACCOMMODATION:
If you have a disability that requires some accommodation, please speak with the instructor and provide documentation within the first two weeks of class. Reasonable accommodations will be made.
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO’S)
Successful students should be able to meet the following Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the variables that impact earth's climate.
2. Describe the role of plate tectonics in the formation of volcanoes and fault zones.
3. Understand how to mitigate hazard/disaster potential through planning and changing behavioral
responses to hazards/disasters.
Students must also be able to describe and explain many, many other terms, concepts, and processes in order to successfully complete this class.