INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
Gly 1101-101, Fall 2012

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 22, W Introducing geology, the essentials of plate tectonics Ch. 1
  
24, F  
  
27, M  
  
  
29, W Atoms, elements and minerals Ch. 2
31, F    
Sep   3, M ***STATE HOLIDAY***  
  5, W Igneous rocks, Intrusive activity, and the origin of igneous rocks Ch. 3
  7, F  
  
10, M Volcanism and extrusive rocks
 Ch. 4  
12, W    
14, F HOUR EXAM (Chs. 1, 2, 3, 4)
17, M Weathering and soil
 Ch. 5  
19, W    
21, F Sediment and sedimentary rocks Ch. 6 
24, M  
    
26, W    
28, F Metamorphism, metamorphic rocks, and hydrothermal rocks Ch. 7 
Oct   1, M      
  3, W    
  5, F Time and geology Ch. 8
  8, M  
 		   
10, W HOUR EXAM (Chs. 5, 6, 7, 8)
12, F ***FALL BREAK***
15, M Mass wasting
 Ch. 9  
17, W    
19, F Streams and flooding Ch. 10
22, M    
24, W Glaciers and glaciation Ch. 12 
26, F  
29, M Deserts and wind action Ch. 13  
31, W  
  
Nov   2, F HOUR EXAM (Chs. 9, 10, 12, 13)
  5, M ***CLASS CANCELLED, ASSIGNMENT: The Sea Floor, Ch. 18***
[Ten items from this chapter will appear on the final exam.
At least five of the items will come from the multiple choice
questions at the end of the chapter.  The rest of the test items
for this chapter will be based on key terms.] 		 
  7, W ***CLASS CANCELLED, ASSIGNMENT: The Sea Floor, Ch. 18***
  9, F ***CLASS CANCELLED, ASSIGNMENT: The Sea Floor, Ch. 18***
12, M Waves beaches and coasts Ch. 14  
14, W     
16, F Geologic structures Ch. 15
19, M     
  
21, W ***NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING***
23,
***NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING***
26, M Earth's Interior Ch. 17   
28, W    
30, F Plate Tectonics Ch. 19
Dec   3, M  
  
    
  5, W Earth's Companions  [Seven Stages in the Life of a Planet] Ch. 22 
  7, F  
   
  8, Sa READING DAY   
12, W ***FINAL EXAM, Wednesday, 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)
    ~45 new items from Chs. 14, 15, 17, 19, 22
      10 items from Ch. 18, The Sea Floor
    ~55 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, 3:00-5:00 Pm 
Thursday, 9:00-11:00 am
Friday, 10:00-11:00 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.
DISABILITY SERVICES
Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have a disability and may need reasonable accommodations in order to have equal access to the University’s courses, programs and activities, please contact the Office of Disability Services (828.262.3056 or www.ods.appstate.edu).
ATTENDANCE POLICY
It is the policy of Appalachian State University that class attendance is an important part of a student's educational experience. Students are expected to attend every meeting of their classes and are responsible for class attendance. Since attendance policies vary from professor to professor, students should refer to the course syllabus for detailed information. Regardless of what reasons there may be for absence, students are accountable for all academic activities, and faculty may require special work or tests to make up for the missed class or classes.

In addition, faculty members are required to make reasonable accommodations for students requesting to miss class due to the observance of religious holidays. All ASU students are allowed a minimum of two absences per year for religious observances. Up to two absences for such observances will be excused, without penalty to the student, provided that the student has informed the instructor in the manner specified in the syllabus. Notice must be given by the student to the instructor before the absence occurs and no later than three weeks after the start of the semester in which the absence(s) will occur. Arrangements will be made to make up work missed by these religious observances, without penalty to the student. For the purposes of this policy, ASU defines the term “religious observance” to include religious holidays, holy days, or similar observances associated with a student’s faith that require absence from class. Faculty, at their discretion, may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's final grade in the course.

PROF. ABBOTT'S HOMEPAGE