GEOLOGY 102 - WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AT PARKERSBURG - SYLLABUS

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

FALL SEMESTER 2009

PROFESSOR: Dr. Edward L. Crisp                      Office: 3310

OFFICE E-MAIL:  Ed. Crisp@mail.wvu.edu        Phone: 424-8327

WEBSITES: Crisp Homepage: http://www.wvup.edu/ecrisp/crisphomepage.htm
                      Geology 101 and 102 Page:  http://www.wvup.edu/ecrisp/geol101page.html

OFFICE HOURS:  4:00-5:00 p.m. M W; 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon T R; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. F

TEXT:  LABORATORY MANUAL IN PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (8th ed.): AGI/NAGT, Busch, Richard M. (ed.); 2009, Prentice Hall Publishers, 336 p.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF GEOLOGY 102:

GEOL 102  PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LAB    1HR
The laboratory study of rocks and minerals, interpretation of topographic and geologic maps, earth structures, earthquakes, economic resources, and local geology with field trips. (2 laboratory hours per week) (Co-requisite: GEOL 101) F  

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT:

     It is your responsibility as a student to review the CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT statement that appears in the WVUP Student Handbook.  Your conduct in this course should follow the guidelines set forth in the Code of Student Conduct statement..

      Any conduct which disrupts the normal flow of classroom activity will not be tolerated.  As such this includes consistently coming to class late, engaging in conversation with fellow students while the instructor is lecturing, belligerent or disruptive activity directed towards others in the classroom, or any other activity that would reasonably be considered to disrupt classroom activities.  Turn off all cell phones (even vibrate) prior to entering the classroom, keep cell phones put away, and do not answer a cell phone in the classroom (even if you forget to turn it off and it rings or vibrates).  If you have to leave the classroom (to go to the bathroom or for any other reason) please leave and return to the classroom quietly, however you should only leave the classroom if absolutely necessary (I will discuss this activity with you if it becomes routine).  The Code of Student Conduct also prohibits all forms of dishonesty including, cheating, plagiarism, forgery, or knowingly furnishing false statements to college officials.

SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT:

     West Virginia University at Parkersburg is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

     If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability Services (424-8378).

SPECIAL SUPPLIES:

     Calculator (preferrably a scientific calculator, these are now relatively inexpensive); protective eyeware (this will be discussed in Laboratory Safety Training).

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To increase the ability of the student to think critically.

2. To learn and practice the scientific method of investigation of a problem or idea.

3. To appreciate and practice experimentation and observation and their importance in scientific investigations.

4. To learn how to collect accurate scientific data and the importance of accurate data collecting techniques.

5. To study Earth’s environment, resources, and environmental problems.

6. To study Earth’s composition, and internal and external processes.

7. To study and appreciate the practical aspects of physical geology, including resources from the earth, geologic hazards, map reading, and environmental geologic problems.


ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance to all classes is highly recommended. If you must miss a class, please notify the instructor as soon as possible (preferably before you miss) at 424-8327 (if no answer, leave a message). If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to cover the material, find out about class announcements, make arrangements for make-up of assignments missed (if make-up is allowed and practical, for example: a missed laboratory session will normally not be practical to make-up because it involves, in most cases, an extensive set-up or introductory explanatory remarks. Therefore, make-up of missed laboratory sessions will not normally be allowed unless there is a death in the family, absence because of approved university sponsored events, or severe illness).  A record of attendance will be maintained, but you will not be formally penalized for lack of attendance. However, because of material you miss, your grade may be adversely affected by excessive absences (excessive absences for this class is missing more than one laboratory session).

ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TESTS! Preparing make-up material for tests is very time consuming for the instructor. Make-up will be allowed for valid excuses, such as severe illness (a note from doctor required), death in the immediate family, or excused university sponsored events. The student must make arrangements with the instructor before missing or immediately upon returning to class to arrange for a make-up exam, otherwise the grade for the missed exam will be recorded as a zero. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS POLICY LIGHTLY!
 

SAFETY RULES FOR THE LABORATORY:

A list of safety rules will be given to the student to follow during laboratory sessions. In addition, these rules will be posted in the laboratory. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in injury to the student breaking the rules or other students in the laboratory. Please follow these rules, they are meant for your safety. FLAGRANT AND/OR REPEATED DISREGARD FOR THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN EXPULSION FROM THE LABORATORY AND FURTHER DISCIPLINE BY THE UNIVERSITY!

All students in the class must receive LABORATORY SAFETY TRAINING. The instructor will use an announced laboratory time for a laboratory safety training session prior to any use of chemicals in the laboratory. If for any reason you miss the laboratory safety training session, please contact the instructor as soon as possible for a make-up session on laboratory safety. A student who misses the laboratory safety training session will not be allowed to continue to participate in laboratory sessions until he/she has received laboratory safety training. As a part of laboratory safety procedures, approved eye protective goggles are required for any laboratory procedures involving chemicals or heating procedures. Students without approved eye protective goggles will not be allowed to participate in lab sessions involving chemicals or heating procedures.
 

TESTING:

There will be two major laboratory exams in addition to weekly graded laboratory exercises.  The laboratory exams will count 48% of the laboratory grade and the graded exercises will count 52% of the laboratory grade.

BASIS FOR FINAL COURSE GRADE:

Two Laboratory Exams (60 points each) = 120 points

Thirteen graded laboratory excercies (10 points each) = 130 points

Total possible points for the laboratory = 250 points
 

GRADING SCALE:

Points Range and Percentile Range For Course Grades

> 224 Points or  >90% = A

199 to 223 Points or 80 to 89% = B

174 to 198 Points or 70 to 79% = C

149 to 173 Points or 60 to 69% = D

< 149 Points or < 60% = F
 

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AT PARKERSBURG

GEOLOGY 102 - PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LAB

TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR - FALL 2009

NOTE: The instructor, division, or university may modify any portion of the above syllabus in order to better serve the objectives of the course and outcomes for the student.