Syllabus for UNET Physical Geology course

http://www.umpi.maine.edu/~mccartnk/pgeo00i.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), 4 credits, Fall, 2000:
Lecture: 1:00-4:00 Monday, also some Friday lectures
Lab: 1:00-4:00 Friday.
Location: Pullen 115 at UM-Presque Isle, or at UNET Sites
Lab materials available for view at 302 Folsom (The "Rock Lab")
or at UNET Site location designated by site coordinator.

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
UNET's HELP line for reporting techical problems: 1-800-696-HELP
UNET's General Service Help Line: 1-800-868-7000
UMA Bookstore Number: 1-800-621-0083


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)>
Policies:

Attendance: All students are expected to attend class. Those who cannot attend class because of work schedules should view the tape within one working day.

Tape use: Tapes will be available for the day of class and the next working day. Further tape delay by permission only. Tapes are not to leave the site.

Exams: Exams should be taken at exam time; if you are unable to take a test at test time because of work schedules, you should schedule to take the test early rather than late.

Grading: 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 borderline cases

Lab sets are not to leave the site office. Lab sets are to be shared.

Students are encouraged to call the instructor at any reasonable time, at office or home.

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 9/8 Introduction, What is Geology? 1:3-19 1:3-17
2 9/8 A short history of the universe and solar system 1:3-19 ditto
3 9/11 Early History and Development of the Earth ditto ditto
4 9/11 Minerals 2:23-41 2:19-38
9/13 Last day to add/drop
L1 9/15 Introduction, Rock-forming mineral identification L1-8
5 9/18 Igneous Rocks and Volcanism 3-4:45-88 3:41-82
6 9/18 Intrusive Rocks, ores, hotsprings ditto ditto
L2 9/22 Son of Minerals (important ores, review) L2-9
7 9/25 Sedimentary Rocks; the deposition of strata 6:107-124 6:101-118
8 9/25 History of Geology and the interpretation of strata 8:143-157 8:137-149
L3 9/29 Minerals Quiz; Igneous Rocks L10-11
9 10/2 Metamorphic Rocks; building materials 7:127-140 7:121-134
10 10/2 Weathering and production of soils 5:90-104 5:85-98
L4 10/6 Sedimentary rocks L12-13
11 10/6 Test 1 (on material to and including October 2, metamorphic, #9)
10/9 COLUMBUS DAY (No class)
L5 10/13 Metamorphic Rocks; review of rocks and minerals L14
12 10/13 Downslope Movement 12:230-248 12:219-234
13 10/16 Stream Dynamics; Meandering Streams and Deltas 13:251-270 13:237-256
14 10/16 Groundwater 14:273-294 14:259-280
L6 10/20 Lab Midterm, Minerals and Rocks; Introduction to maps L15-22
15 10/23 Glaciers I (Glacial Erosion) 15:297-315 15:283-304
16 10/23 Glaciers II (Glacial Deposition) ditto
L7 10/27 Introduction to maps L15-22
17 10/30 Winds, deserts; mountains, unanswered questions 16:321-340 16:307-326
18 10/30 What is (and what is not) science?
L8 11/3 More on maps L15-22
11/3 Last day to withdrawl without penalty
19 11/6 TEST II (on material through October 30)
L9 11/10 Quiz, maps; topography L23-26
20 11/13 Earthquakes 10:181-204 10:171-198
21 11/13 Structural Geology (What does a geologist do?) 9:161-177 9:153-168
L10 11/17 maps; topography and topographic profiles L23-26
22 11/20 A scientific revolution 11:207-213 11:195-201
23 11/20 Plate tectonics; forces upon the earth 11:213-228 11:201-215
11/22-26 (AMERICAN) THANKSGIVING
24 11/27 Evolution
25 11/27 The Coming of Man
L11 12/1 Topographic Profiles and more L27-30
26 12/4 Geology of Oil and Gas 18:367-371 18:353-360
L12 12/4 Contours and Contouring L27-30
27 12/8 TEST III (On material through December 4)
L12 12/8 Contours and Contouring
28 12/11 Geologic Time 19:391-409 19:373-390
29 12/11 The Future 18:372-382 18:360-370
L13 12/15 Lab Final, on maps and mapping

Final Exam: Friday, Dec. 22nd, 1:00.


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