SYLLABUS

                                           School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences                                          

I.     COURSE:   ESCI 1063 – Elements of Geology

        NOTE:  This course fulfills specific general education requirements.  For more information, see the catalog.

II.    TEXT:   Foundations of Earth Science,5th edition - Lutgens & Tarbuck

                    Textbook website:  http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_lutgens_foundations_4

III.   INSTRUCTOR:    Dr. Jim Edson

                                    Office: Room 109 - Museum - Phone 460-1966 - email:  edson@uamont.edu

                                    Hours: By appointment
                                    Website:   http://www.uamont.edu/FacultyWeb/Edson/  

IV.   COURSE FORMAT:         Lecture - 10:10-12:40 MTWH

V.    COURSE GOALS:  The overall goal of this course is to introduce the vast subject of earth science in a manner, and with a philosophy, that will show that earth science is an integrated discipline involving processes and response to those processes known as products.  Rocks and landforms do not just occur, with out rhyme or reason, but are the result of a unique set of processes. The course will also bring to the student an understanding of how geological processes relate to decisions that must be made in our daily lives regarding our interaction with the Earth.  “Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice,” said philosopher-historian Will Durant, reminding us of the remarkable circumstances that make this planet congenial to life, as we know it.

VI.   OBJECTIVES:   By the time the student completes this course he/she should be able to:

        1.   understand the methodology of science.

        2.   describe how geology, as an earth science discipline, relates to the other natural sciences.

        3.   have an understanding of the time scale used in reference to geological processes.

        4.   list and discuss the natural resources (rocks, energy, water) that come from the Earth.

        5.   describe the Earth’s relationship to the Universe.

        6.   demonstrate an understanding of the unifying nature of the Plate Tectonic theory.

        7.   describe the cycles through which earth materials move.

        8.   understand and to be able to explain the occurrence of natural disasters which come in the form

              of earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and floods.

        9.   recognize the landforms of the Earth’s crust, and be able to speculate as to the processes that

              formed them and how they evolve.

VII. TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

        1.  Introduction and Earth materials

                  A.  The nature of science

                  B.  The science of geology

                  C.  Earth Dynamics

                  D.  The scientific process as it applies to geology

                  E.   Minerals

                  F.   Rocks 

        2.  Plate Tectonics

                  A.  History and evidence

                  B.   Unifying theory

        3.  Earth’s internal processes

                  A.  Earthquakes

                  B.  Geologic structures

                  C.  Igneous activity

        4.  Geologic History              

                  A.  Historical notes

                  B.  Clues to the past

                  C.  Relative and absolute age dating

                  D.  The geologic time scale

                  E.  Arkansas through time

VIII.  TESTING AND GRADING PRACTICES:

1.  There will be (4) 200 point, non-comprehensive tests given during the semester.  All of the tests will consist of 50 multiple choice questions worth a total of 200 points. If you miss a test, there will be one comprehensive makeup at the end of the semester. You will need a Scantron and a pencil for each test.

2.  You will also have the option to take the comprehensive makeup to replace one of the grades on the 4  regularly scheduled tests.

3.  There will be 20 daily assignments worth four (4) points each (80 points total).  No make-ups.

4.  Eight online quizzes from the textbook website worth 10 points each will be assigned during the semester for a total of 80 points.

5.  40 additional points will come from various outside assignments that will be announced in class and posted on the assignment page of my webpage.

6.  Grades will be determined based on the following scale:

                    1000 - 895   =   A ( 100  - 89.5%)

                      894 - 795   =   B ( 89.4 - 79.5%)

                      794 - 695   =   C ( 79.4 - 69.5%)

                      694 - 595   =   D ( 69.4 - 59.5%)

                      594 -   0     =   F  ( 59.4 -     0%)

IX.  CLASSROOM POLICIES:  Attendance is expected.  Students missing lecture notes or assignments because of absences (excused or unexcused) are still responsible for the material. Please do not bring children, friends or pets to class without prior approval. Cell phones are to be turned off and out of sight during class. Tape recorders are allowed for taping lectures.

        All students are required to have an email account, and to subscribe to the GEOLOGY listserv. See handout for instructions.

        The following action is prohibited under the UAM Student Conduct Code: Disorderly Conduct: Any behavior which disrupts the regular or normal functions of the University community, including behavior which breaches the peace or violates the rights of others.

X.  ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

1.      Cheating:  Students shall not give, receive, offer, or solicit information on examinations, quizzes, etc. This includes but is not limited to the following classes of dishonesty:

a.       Copying from another student’s paper.

b.       Use during the examination of prepared materials, notes, or texts other than those specifically permitted by the instructor.

c.       Collaboration with another student during the examination.

2.      Collusion: Collusion is defined as obtaining from another party, with out specific approval in advance by the instructor, assistance in the production of work offered for credit, to the extent that the work reflects the ideas of the party consulted rather than those of the person whose name in on the work submitted.

3.      Plagiarism: To adopt and reproduce as one’s own, to appropriate to one’s use, and to incorporate in one’s own work without acknowledgement the ideas or passages from the writings or works of others.

For any instance of academic dishonesty that is discovered by the instructor, whether the dishonesty is found to be cheating, collusion, duplicity, or plagiarism, the result for the student or students involved will be that the instructor will assign a grade or F for the examination or assignment involved. (See page 63 of the UAM catalog 2005-06 for further academic code violations)

XI.  POLICY ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  It is the policy of the University of AR—Monticello to accommodate individuals with disabilities pursuant to federal law and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities.  It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any necessary accommodations at the beginning of the course.  Any student requiring accommodations should contact the Office of Special Student Services located in Harris Hall Room 120; phone 870 460-1026; TDD 870 460-1626; fax 870 460-1926.

XII. UAM will no longer mail grade reports to all students.  You may access your grades through Campus Connect on the UAM homepage, http://www.uamont.edu/. To have your grades mailed to you, complete the grade request form available in the Registrar’s Office in Monticello or the Student Services offices in Crossett and McGehee.