http://www.umpi.maine.edu/~mccartnk/pgeo07.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, 2007:
Lecture: 6:00-7:15 TTh, Folsom 303
Lab: choice of three sections, in Folsom 302 (The "Rock Lab").

1:00 - 3:00 Tuesday
3:00 - 5:00 Tuesday
3:00 - 5:00 Thursday

Text:

Essentials of Geology, by Lutgens and Tarbuck (9th edition, 8th also fine)
8th edition also acceptable, and reading assignments for both editions are given below.

Lab Text: Lab Manual for Physical Geology, by K. McCartney

Instructor: Kevin McCartney (office: 302 Folsom: TTh 1:30-3:00, many other times)

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% (540 pnts)
Test 2 125 pnts Lab Midterm 50 pnts B = 80% (480 pnts)
Final (cumulative) 200 pnts Map Quiz 25 pnts C = 70% (420 pnts)
Map Final 50 pnts D = 60% (360 pnts)
Total Lecture 450 pnts Total Lab 150 pnts F < 60% (360 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, 2007)

Click lecture for day´s quote
Assignments should be read before class.
# lab # date lecture/lab title reading:
8th ed. 9th ed.
1 8/28 Introduction, What is Geology? 1:1-11 1:1-13
L0 8/28or30 Introduction, Rock-forming mineral identification
2 8/30 A short history of the universe and solar system 19:413-415 1:16-18
3 9/4 Early History and Development of the Earth ditto 19:442-444
L1 9/4 or 6 Rock-forming mineral identification L1-8
9/5 Last day to drop the class
4 9/7 Minerals 2:23-42 2:33-40
5 9/11 Igneous Rocks and Volcanism 3,4: 45-57,69-87 3,4: 58-70,89-100
L2 9/11or13 Son of Minerals (important ores, review) L2-9
6 9/13 Intrusive Rocks, ores, hotsprings 4:87-97; 10:214-215 4:100-110;10:234-236
7 9/18 Sedimentary Rocks; the deposition of strata 6:121-141 6:138-150
L3 9/18or20 Minerals Quiz; Igneous Rocks L10-11
8 9/20 History of Geology and the interpretation of strata 18:388-392 1:3-8, 18:416-419
9 9/25 Metamorphic Rocks; building materials 7:146-158 7: 164-177
L4 9/25or27 Sedimentary rocks L12-13
10 9/27 Weathering and production of soils 5:101-117 5:116-129
11 10/2 Downslope Movement; Sample test questions (on material to and including September 27) 8:166-177 8:185-198
L5 10/2or4 Metamorphic Rocks; review of rocks and minerals L14
12 10/4 Stream Dynamics and floods 9:180-198 9:202-220
10/5 leaving for NEIGC field trip
10/9,11 Holiday: (CANADIAN) THANKSGIVING, COLUMBUS DAY in U.S.A.
13 10/16 Streams from mountain to beach 9:180-198 9:202-220
L6 10/16or18 Lab Midterm, Minerals and Rocks; Introduction to maps L15-22
14 10/18 Groundwater 10:202-219 10:224-233
10/19 Geol. Soc. Maine Fall meeting
15 10/23 Test 1 (on material to and including 10/16
L7 10/23or25 Introduction to maps L15-22
16 10/25 What is (and what is not) science? 1:6-7
17 10/30 Glaciers I (Glacial Erosion) 11:222-232 11:244-257
L8 10/30or9/1 More on maps L15-22
10/31 Last day to withdrawl without penalty
18 9/1 Glaciers II (Glacial Deposition) 11:232-240 11:257-263
19 11/06 Winds, deserts; mountains, unanswered questions 12:246-259; 16:367-371 12:268-278; 17:395-410
L9 11/6 or 8 UTM coordinates on maps; topography L23-26
20 11/8 Earthquakes
21 11/13 A scientific revolution 16:331-343 15:336-342
L10 11/13or15 quiz on maps; topography and topographic profiles L23-26
22 11/15 Plate tectonics; forces upon the earth 16:344-359 15:342-360
23 11/20 Structural Geology (What does a geologist do?) 17:363-373 17:392-402
11/23- Holiday: (AMERICAN) THANKSGIVING
24 11/27 Geology of Oil and Gas 6:156-158
L11 11/23or28 Topographic Profiles and more L27-30
25 11/29 TEST II (On material through November 27)
26 12/4 Evolution 6:156-158
L13 12/4or6 Lab Final, on maps and mapping
27 12/6 Evolution of Homonids
28 12/11 The Future

Final Exam: Thursday, Dec. 13, 6 - 8:00.


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