http://www.umpi.maine.edu/~mccartnk/pgeo00.htm

Happy the man whose lot it is to know
The secrets of the earth. He hastens not
To work his fellows' hurt by unjust deeds
But with rapt admiration contemplate
Immortal Nature's ageless harmony,
and how and when her order came to be
Such spirits have no place for thoughts of shame.

- Euripides (484-406 B.C.)

Syllabus: Gey 112 (Physical Geology), Fall, 2000:
Lecture: 9:25-10:40 TTh, Folsom 303
Lab: 1-3:00 M, 3-5:00 T; Folsom 302 (The "Rock Lab").

Text: Essentials of Geology, by Stanley Chernicoff et al. (2nd EDITION)

1st edition acceptable
Lab Text: Lab Manual for Physical Geology, by K. McCartney

Instructor: Kevin McCartney (office: 302 Folsum, hours: TTh 10-11:30)

office phone 768-9482; home phone 492-4766
email: mccartney@polaris.umpi.maine.edu


Grading
No make-up exams unless a valid excuse is given before the missed test.
(lecture; 3/4 of total credit) (lab; 1/4 of total credit) grades
Test 1 125 pnts Mineral Quiz 25 pnts A = 90% (720 pnts)
Test 2 125 pnts Lab Midterm 75 pnts B = 80% (640 pnts)
Test 3 125 pnts Map Quiz 25 pnts C = 70% (560 pnts)
Final (cumulative) 225 pnts Map Final 75 pnts D = 60% (480 pnts)
Total Lecture 600 pnts Total Lab 200 pnts F < 60% (560 pnts)

A steady improvement in test scores may be used in revising grade upwards. Otherwise, grades will not be curved. Attendance can be taken into account in the case of borderline grades.

If you have a disability and need an accomodation or assistance in this course, please make an appointment to talk with me. If you prefer, you may contact Myrna McGaffin in Student Support Services, South Hall.


These are examples of questions asked in previous versions of this course (beginning with point value). Note that questions can be phrased in a variety of ways, and that a detailed answer is often required in order to obtain full credit. A complete answer would need to include most or all of the underlined terms and concepts.

5) How has science determined that the universe is EXPANDING?

8) News Flash! VOLCANO ERUPTS IN IOWA. Little information is yet available, but you as a geology student should be able to describe the volcano, including its shape, size, characteristics and specific rock associated with it.

2) What is the most common element in the universe?

5) Discuss the composition, structure and occurrence of diamond:

Answers:

1st question - DOPPLER EFFECT: We can tell from analysis of the spectrum of light that we get from distant objects whether those objects are moving towards us or away from us. We find by examining the light of other galaxies that there is a shift towards the red end of the spectrum, showing that they are moving away from us.

2nd question - Since Iowa is in the middle of a continent, the volcano will be pyroclastic, with a silica-rich magma. The composition of the magma will result in a small volcano with steep sides and light-colored rocks (primarily rhyolite). The volcano will be highly explosive, and tourists should be kept away.

3rd question - Hydrogen

4th question - Diamond is pure carbon (formula C) with the atoms arranged with a tetrahedral pattern so that all bonds are of equal strength (thus giving diamond its exceptional hardness). It is found in kimberlites, which are volcanic structures that bring material from great depths.


Below is a tentative schedule of Physical Geology lectures and labs (L)
(Fall, 2000)

Click lecture for day´s quote
Assignments should be read before class. Reading:1 refers to first edition, :2 to second edition.
# lab # date lecture/lab title reading:1 reading:2
1 9/5 Introduction, What is Geology? 1:3-19 1:3-17
2 9/7 A short history of the universe and solar system 1:3-19 ditto
3 9/12 Early History and Development of the Earth ditto ditto
L1 9/12 Introduction, Rock-forming mineral identification L1-8
9/13 Last day to add/drop
4 9/14 Minerals 2:23-41 2:19-38
5 9/19 Igneous Rocks and Volcanism 3-4:45-88 3:41-82
L2 9/19 Son of Minerals (important ores, review) L2-9
6 9/21 Intrusive Rocks, ores, hotsprings ditto ditto
7 9/26 Sedimentary Rocks; the deposition of strata 6:107-124 6:101-118
L3 9/26 Minerals Quiz; Igneous Rocks L10-11
8 9/28 History of Geology and the interpretation of strata 8:143-157 8:137-149
9 10/3 Metamorphic Rocks; building materials 7:127-140 7:121-134
L4 10/3 Sedimentary rocks L12-13
10 10/5 Weathering and production of soils 5:90-104 5:85-98
11 10/10 TEST 1 (on material to and including October 3)
L5 10/10 Metamorphic Rocks; review of rocks and minerals L14
12 10/12 Downslope Movement 12:230-248 12:219-234
13 10/17 Stream Dynamics; Meandering Streams and Deltas 13:251-270 13:237-256
L6 10/17 Lab Midterm, Minerals and Rocks; Introduction to maps L15-22
14 10/19 Groundwater 14:273-294 14:259-280
15 10/24 What is (and what is not) science?
L7 10/24 Introduction to maps L15-22
16 10/26 Glaciers I (Glacial Erosion) 15:297-315 15:283-304
17 10/31 Glaciers II (Glacial Deposition) ditto ditto
L8 10/31 More on maps L15-22
18 11/2 Winds, deserts; mountains, unanswered questions 16:321-340 16:307-326
11/3 Last day to withdrawl without penalty
19 11/9 TEST II (on material through November 2)
L9 11/7 Quiz, maps; topography L23-26
20 11/7 Earthquakes 10:181-204 10:171-198
21 11/14 A scientific revolution 11:207-213 11:195-201
L10 11/14 maps; topography and topographic profiles L23-26
22 11/16 Plate tectonics; forces upon the earth 11:213-228 11:201-215
23 11/21 Geologic Time 19:391-409 19:373-390
11/22-26 (AMERICAN) THANKSGIVING
24 11/28 Structural Geology (What does a geologist do?) 9:161-177 9:153-168
L11 11/29 Topographic Profiles and more L27-30
25 11/30 Geology of Oil and Gas 18:367-371 18:353-360
26 12/5 Evolution
L12 12/5 contours and contouring L27-30
27 12/7 TEST III (On material through December 5)
28 12/12 The Coming of Man
L13 12/12 Lab Final, on maps and mapping
29 12/14 The Future 18:372-382 18:360-370

Final Exam: Thursday, Dec. 21st, 8:00-10:00.


Return to Kevin McCartney's Homepage