FALL 2003 EARTH STUDIES GEOSCIENCES
100
INSTRUCTOR: Delwar Ahmed,
Dept. of Geosciences, Rm.3340 Rood Hall
Tel. 387-5650 Fax 387-5513
LECTURE ROOM: WOOD HALL 1001
OFFICE HOURS: In ROOD HALL
(right across WOOD HALL, behind LEE HONORS College) Room: 3340 on 3rd Floor.
M W 9-10:50,
Tues 9-11;
Thur 9-11;
Friday 9-10:50 or by
appointment. delwar.ahmed@wmich.edu
For appointments I prefer emails, but phone calls
are welcome too!
REQUIRED TEXT:
EARTH: An Introduction to
Physical Geology by Tarbuck and Lutgens - 7th Edition
LAB MANUAL: Dr.Chase’s manual + GEODE III disk in your textbook. Make sure you have the CD and it works.
LECTURES: MWF 11:00-11:50 PM Rm. 1001 Wood Hall
LABS: Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, beginning
September 2. If you are not registered
for labs, please do that ASAP. If you need any help, see me.
COURSE OVERVIEW: An introduction to the scientific method,
earth materials, the dynamic processes that have shaped the earth, geologic
hazards that endanger our lives, and man's impact on the environment will be
the focus this course. We will try to
understand geologic evolution of our planet to get a perspective view on the
unique conditions we enjoy now on earth. We will study surficial geologic
processes that alter rocks and transform the earth's landforms. We will touch on the earth's structure and
internal geologic processes such as earthquakes and plate tectonics. We will try to figure out whether the
mountains are getting higher or lower? Finally, how about a discussion of
global climate change in light of our new understanding of the earth’s
interrelated systems?
COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. Introduce students to the material above. 2. Show the complex interrelationships between earth processes, the activities of humans, and the dangers that can result. 3. Help understand how we can live more harmoniously in the various environments of the earth. 4. Provide a greater appreciation of nature’s beauty and how that beauty came about. 5. Communicate the intellectual excitement of the earth sciences.
GRADING SCHEME: There will be four exams and a comprehensive
final. Exam questions will include true
or false, multiple choice, fill-in-the blanks and matching. Diagrams will be used occasionally. Each exam will consist of about 60
questions, and the final will have about 100 questions. Questions are hard—guessing answers will not
work. You should study for these. Reviewing the material for each test is your
responsibility. However, I will prepare
a 1-page review sheet for each exam.
Consulting your book or notes during the exams is not allowed. Cheating will result in a zero for the
course. The four
exams are worth 45% of the course grade.
Your lowest exam grade will be dropped in calculating your final grade. If you take all four exams, and your lowest exam
grade is within 20 points of your highest grade, you will get a 1-point bonus
on your final score. I value consistent
effort. I
expect advance notification (phone or email) when you must miss an exam, and an
excellent reason. You must make
arrangements for a make-up exam to be taken before or during the next class
after the exam, but no later. No make up exam will be allowed without a letter
from Doctor, Coroner, Judge, Coach or similar authority.
NOTE: EXAMS COVER TEXTBOOK READINGS plus OTHER MATERIALS REVIEWED IN CLASS AND VIDEOTAPES
The final exam on 12/10
from 10:15 am-12:15 pm is worth 20% of the course grade, and is comprehensive. It is not optional. The lab grade is worth 30%, and is determined solely by
your lab’s TA based upon your lab performance. From
time to time there will be unannounced quizzes to monitor attendance and will
worth 5%.
POLICIES
FOR GRADE ASSIGNMENT
A 92 – 100 BA 87 – 91.9
B 82 – 86.9 CB 77 – 81.9
C 72 – 76.9 DC 67 –71.9
D 62 – 66.9 E BELOW 62
IMPORTANT: If a student scores A in all of four exams, than s/he will
not need to take the FINAL EXAM on 12/10/03
*******
TIPS FOR MAKING A GOOD GRADE *******
1: Regular class attendance really helps your
grade. Lectures emphasize what I
consider to be the most important material.
Some of this material isn’t in the textbook. I rarely ask test questions about things I didn’t mention in
class. If you don’t wish to attend the
lectures, you should take the class at another time from another instructor who
does not introduce supplementary materials. This class is hard. You
can’t do well in class without attending.
2: Reading the textbook is the best preparation
for class - stay ˝ chapter ahead of instructor’s lectures.
3: While in class take good notes, but focus on
listening and understanding the subject being discussed. Please ask questions
if you don’t understand. Remember that you are likely not the only one who
doesn’t understand. If my classroom answers are insufficient, visit my office
where I can spend more time helping you individually.
4: Review class notes ASAP after class. Make
summaries or highlight areas covered in your text for future reference. Skim
through the chapter summaries that are given in the end of all chapters in the
text.
5: Read and study any supplementary material
provided for reference. Stay attentive during videos & CD ROMs.
Examinations will attempt to emphasize understanding of the subject matter rather
than memorization.
Recording of the lectures is perfectly OK. If you have a disability, let me know and I will accommodate you. Please don’t be rude—e.g., talk while others are talking, or walk in or out noisily during the class. And no cell phones in the class or lab
THIS
SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE--CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE IN CLASS.
The
date in the column on the left is the first
day that I expect to discuss the given
topic. We will meet each Monday,
Wednesday and Friday at 11 am whether or not that date appears on this sheet!
CHAPTER Supplemental
29 Introduction to Physical Geology / Scientific Method 1 Sci. meth. handouts
SEPTEMBER EARTH MATERIALS
1 NO CLASSES - Labor Day Relax
and get ready
3 - 5 Matter and Minerals 2 may be a video
8 - 10 Igneous Rocks - 3 GEODE III
12 - 15 Volcanoes and Igneous Activity 4 GEODE III &
eruption handout
17 - 19
Weathering and Soil 5
22 - 24 Sedimentary
Rocks + Exam 1 review 6 Video
1 Metamorphic Rocks 7
3-6 Geologic Time and Evolution 8 2 videos
8 Mass Wasting (a
quick review) 9
10 – 13 Running Water+
Exam 2 review 10 cont. sediments
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, EXAM #2 [CHAPTERS 6, 7, 8, 9
& 10]
on health
27 Deserts and Winds (a real
quick skim) 13
29 - 31 Shorelines
+ Exam 3 review 14 maybe video?
MONDAY, NOVEMBER
3, EXAM #3 [CHAPTERS 11, 12, 13 & 14]
5 - 7 Crustal Deformation 15 GEODE III
10 – 12 Earthquakes 16 GEODE III
14 Earth’s Interior (a quick
review) 17 GEODE III &
video
17 - 19 Plate
Tectonics 19 transparencies
21 - 26 Earth Systems and Global Climate
Change handouts,
transparencies, discussion, may be a video
26*******NOV. 26 noon – Nov.
30 THANKSGIVING BREAK NO CLASSES ******
********CLASSES
RESUME DEC 1**********
Dec 1 Energy and Resources + exam
4 review 21 video + handout
Dec. 5 Final
exam review and discussion
Chapters/topics in bold are the more
important ones & will be emphasized in class and on the exams.