INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
Gly 1101-104, Fall 2011

GLY 1101. Introduction to Physical Geology (4).F;S.
GEN ED: Science Inquiry Perspective (Theme: “Restless Planet: Earth, Environment, and Evolution”)
Introduction to the composition, origin, and modification of Earth materials through the study of the Earth’s interacting dynamic systems; study and application of the scientific method with reference to the principles of geology as demonstrated through use of case histories and laboratory material. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. (NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES) (ND prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)


Course Outline
  TOPIC READING   
Aug 23, Tu Introducing geology, the essentials of plate tectonics Ch. 1
 
25, Th  
 
30, Tu Atoms, elements and minerals
Ch. 2  
Sep   1, Th  
 
  6, Tu Igneous rocks, Intrusive activity, and the origin of igneous rocks  
Ch. 3   
  8, Th  
 
13, Tu Volcanism and extrusive rocks
Ch. 4  
15, Th HOUR EXAM (Chs. 1, 2, 3, 4)  
20, Tu Weathering and soil
Ch. 5  
22, Th Sediment and sedimentary rocks Ch. 6 
27, Tu  
   
29, Th Metamorphism, metamorphic rocks, and hydrothermal rocks Ch. 7 
Oct   4, Tu      
  6, Th Time and geology Ch. 8
11, Tu HOUR EXAM (Chs. 5, 6, 7, 8)    
13, Th ***FALL BREAK***
18, Tu Mass wasting
Ch. 9  
20, Th Streams and flooding
Ch. 10 
25, Tu Glaciers and glaciation  Ch. 12   
27, Th Deserts and wind action Ch. 13  
Nov   1, Tu Waves beaches and coasts Ch. 14  
  3, Th ***CLASS CANCELLED***  
  8, Tu HOUR EXAM (Chs. 9, 10, 12, 13, 14)    
10, Th Geologic structures Ch. 15
15, Tu
   
17, Th Earth's Interior Ch. 17 
22, Tu  
 
24, Th
***NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING***
29, Tu Plate Tectonics Ch. 19    
Dec   1, Th  
  6. Tu Earth's Companions  [Seven Stages in the Life of a Planet]
Ch. 22     
  8, Th  
  
10, Sa READING DAY
12, M ***FINAL EXAM, Monday, 12:00-2:30***  
     

TEXTS: Physical Geology, 13th ed., by Plummer, Carlson and Hammersley.  Web site: <http://www.mhhe.com/plummer13e>

GRADING:
 
GRADING
3
Hour Exams (5% each)   15%
  Final Exam   60%
Lab   25%
    100

LECTURE TESTS: Each test accounts for 5% of your grade, and will consist of 50 to 60 multiple choice and true/false items covering the reading and lecture material, as described above.

Your grade on each test will be formulated as the percent correct responses, scaled in such a way that the class average is 75%. This is how it works. Suppose the class average is 67% correct responses on a test. I will add 8% to your score, so the class average is 75%. In fact, all components of your grade will be treated in this way. Letter grades are assigned accordingly: 93+ A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B, 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, 70-72 C-, 67-69 D+, 63-66 D, 50-62 D-, 0-49 F.

***TEST KEYS***

FINAL LECTURE EXAM: The final exam (approx. 160 items) will be comprehensive and counts for 60% of your final grade for the course. The final exam will consist entirely of multiple choice and true/false items.  Approximately 37.5% of the test items will come from the TESTS (see above), and approximately 25% will come from material covered after TEST 3, and approximately 37.5% on key terms, as follows:

    ~20 items from TEST 1 (Chs. 1, 2, 3, 4)
    ~20 items from TEST 2 (Chs. 5, 6, 7, 8)
    ~20 items from TEST 3 (Chs. 9, 10, 12, 13, 14)
    ~40 new items from Chs. 15, 17, 19, 22
    ~60 Key Terms.  These items focus on bold-face key terms in your textbook.  Each of these items is formulated in the following way.  The sentence(s) where the key term is presented will be provided but with the key term omitted.  You will select the correct term from five possibilities (a, b, c, d, e).

LABS: Performance in lab accounts for 25% of your grade for the course.

INSTRUCTOR

R.N. Abbott, Rm. 121, Rankin, 
Phone: 262-3055 
E-mail: abbottrn@appstate.edu
Web-Site homepage: http://www.appstate.edu/~abbottrn/

OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday, 9:00-11:00 am 
Wednesday, 9:00-10:00 am 
Thursday, 9:00-11:00 am
Friday, 9:00-11:00 am


ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE
As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an atmosphere of honesty, fairness, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of each other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of an Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form and will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty.  This course will follow the provisions of the Academic Integrity Code, which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct Web Site: www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.

PROF. ABBOTT'S HOMEPAGE