1 2301 - GEOL 1, Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY, spring 2015

2301 – Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY – spring 2015
Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D., Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California
2301 - GEOL 1, Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY, spring 2015
Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D.
Mail Box: in LA 102
e-mail: [email protected]
Webpage:
http://homepage.smc.edu/grippo_alessandro
Class Hours:
LECTURE: Monday & Wednesday 9:30 – 10:50 LS 103
Final Exam: Monday, June 15, 2015, @ 8:00 am LS 103
Course description, objectives, content, and Student Learning Outcomes
This course illustrates the many geologic processes that have shaped our planet. Lecture topics include rocks,
minerals, landslides, streams, ground water, glaciers, oceans, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Students will
identify the major features on Earth and understand the geological processes that formed them. Students will
recognize that the Earth is a dynamic planet shaped by physical and chemical agents.
Please be aware that this course requires constant study and attention. This is a very intensive class, and
definitely not an "easy" one. If you think you can study for just a day before the test, and start lagging behind,
you will soon realize that it will be extremely difficult for you to make up for the lost time.
In class, we will use the metric system and work with concepts from math, physics, chemistry, and biology. If
you do not remember these basics, I would recommend that you review them during the first week of class,
while the workload is still relatively low. If you are a non-native English speaker, be aware that the class will use
a lot of technical and scientific terminology.
Required Textbook
Class Textbook: Plummer and Carlson, Physical Geology, 15th edition (or older), McGraw-Hill.
The textbook is required. Most of the concepts explained in class will be found on the textbook (others will be
posted on my web page). I would strongly recommend that you get your own copy of the book, either new or
used. Different editions do not always present materials in the same order or with the same emphasis. If you
decide to buy an older edition it will be your responsibility to locate materials within the textbook. You can get
more information about the textbook on my web page.
Required Materials
Lecture: students should always have a notebook, pens, pencils, an eraser when coming to lecture.
Exams: the only things you need to bring to class on a test day are a pencil, an eraser, and a Scan-Tron model
882-E. Absolutely no calculators, tablets, computers, electronic translators, mp3 readers, earphones or any
electronic device will be allowed.
Recommended Computer Skills and Technology Requirement
This class will not be using eCompanion, but you will still need access to a computer to work with some of the
resources I made available on my website. The web site is fully accessible from both Pc- and Mac-based
operative systems, and optimized for Firefox.
Methods of Presentation
Lecture will cover materials that students can find in the textbook in use, materials that are available on my
website and, when appropriate, materials that are related to the topic and appear in contemporary scientific
literature. Integration between these components is maximized when students are involved in the life and
activities of the class. Students are strongly encouraged to take notes.
Grading System
The total grade will be assigned based on exams and participation, with the possible integration of assignments,
quizzes and homework. In order to be able to pass the class you will have to work on all of the assignments and
take ALL exams.
Exams - You will be tested on the materials covered during lectures, and in assigned readings (and videos when
pertinent). The exams will include a mix of multiple choice, short essay, true-false, figure and map
interpretation, yes/no, and short-answer questions. Sample questions taken from actual exams can be found on
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2301 – Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY – spring 2015
Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D., Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California
my web page. The first three exams will be non-cumulative but the final exam, while still preserving the same
format, will also include some materials from the chapters covered in earlier tests (in the form of different
questions). Extra-credit points will be built in the exams. This will be the ONLY source of extra-credit for the
class.
There will be four (4) exams, each of which will count for 200 points (or 20% of the grade), for a total of 800
available points (or 80% of the grade). Individual exams will be graded on a 0-100 scale for simplicity and the
score will then be converted to a 0-300 points scale. Exams are mandatory. If you miss any single exam, its
maximum score will be subtracted from your grade, and you will likely get an F as class grade. Exams are
closed-books; no texts, notes, calculators or dictionaries of any sort will be allowed; absolutely no cell phones,
iPods, iPads, blackberries, headphones, Bluetooth or any other kind of electronic device are allowed during a
test; if you have a cell phone and it happens to ring during a test, you would not be allowed to finish the test.
You need to show that there are no electric devices in your ears while in class. During the test it will only be you,
your pencil, your eraser and a Scan-Tron.
On the day of the exam, always bring a Scan-Tron Form no. 882-E, a no. 2 pencil and an eraser. Instructor or
the Department can NOT provide a Scan-Tron for you. You will not be allowed to take the exam without a ScanTron. On the Scan-Tron, write your name on both sides. It is YOUR responsibility to erase completely your mark
if you want to change an answer. I will NOT change a grade because the machine could not read a double mark
or a badly erased one. Be sure of your answer before you mark your Scan-Tron. No exceptions.
Homework Assignments and Quizzes – There might be a few homework assignments and/or quizzes, mostly
in order to strengthen certain skills or reinforce a few concepts. The relative score will be integrated in the total
score. Homework must be typewritten and should be turned in at due time, no exceptions. Late homework
will be accepted only as a partial fulfillment of class requirements but WILL NOT be counted towards the final
grade. E-mailed assignments will NOT be accepted. Pop quizzes may be given to the class. In case, they can be
on any material covered during the previous lectures and/or labs. There are no make-ups for quizzes.
Class Participation - Participation constitutes 20% of the final grade. Participation does not mean simply
attending class regularly and on time but rather constitutes a general assessment of your effort and activities in
the classroom. Studying for another class, checking your e-mail, texting, sleeping, eating, disrupting activities,
disturbing other students are just a few examples of lack of participation in the class activities. You cannot legally
tape or record any segment of a class, lab, or video, nor take pictures or videos at any time of your fellow
students, staff, faculty, officers, or the premises. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. See further "Tips on
how to succeed in this class". Food or drink is prohibited in the classroom with the exception of water bottles,
which are permitted as long as they remain closed when not in active use, and are kept away from all
equipment. Electronic device use is limited in this class. Devices must be kept on the desk—not in your lap.
Activities using these devices must be limited to activities supporting concurrent class topics. Students using devices
for other purposes will lose the privilege of device use during class.
Every student starts with a pool of 100 participation points. Points will be subtracted from this pool in case of
lack of participation to class activities
Method of Evaluation - The final score is out of 1000 points (from assignments, exams, quizzes, labs, A&P)
Three exams will count for 80% of the final grade (4 exams @ 200 points each)
800 points
A&P is worth 20% of the grade (200 points)
200 points
1000 points
Grading scale:
FINAL GRADE:
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
910 - 1000 points
800 - 909 points
700 - 799 points
600 - 699 points
599 points or less
SINGLE EXAMS:
A: 91 - 100 points
B: 80 - 90 points
C: 70 - 79 points
D: 60 - 69 points
F: 59 or less
Academic integrity and policies
The academic honesty policy of Santa Monica College will be strictly enforced at all times.
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2301 – Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY – spring 2015
Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D., Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California
Students with disabilities
I encourage students requesting disability-related accommodations to contact Disabled Student Services as soon
as possible. I will work with you and the Center for Students with Disabilities to provide appropriate and
reasonable accommodations. An early notification of your request for test-taking and/or other accommodations
is necessary to ensure that your disability related needs are addressed appropriately; testing accommodations
cannot be applied retroactively. The DSPS office is located in the Admissions/Student Services Complex, Room
101, and the phone numbers are (310) 434-4265 and (310) 434-4273 (TDD).
Emergency Preparedness
The safety of students at SMC is a priority. Please note that emergency procedures are posted in this classroom
and every classroom. Also, procedures for various emergencies are delineated on the SMC website:
http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Emergency-Preparedness.aspx
Take time to familiarize yourself with these procedures now, when knowledge of what to do is the most effective
Make up exams
As a policy, there will not be make-up exams unless there is a medical or legal reason; in all cases, a note from a
doctor, a hospital, a court, or the police is required. If you know you will be missing a class for a religious
holiday, it is YOUR responsibility to let me know as soon as possible, and in any case at least two weeks before
the day you will be absent. In case you need to take a make-up test, the test will be in a different format, and
will consist in a series of short essay questions.
Tips on how to succeed in this class
Please, check my web page at: http://homepage.smc.edu/grippo_alessandro/tips.html
Biographical Sketch of Alessandro Grippo, Ph. D.
Dr. Grippo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences. He has previously taught general
education courses in Physical Geology, Oceanography, Environmental Geology, Earth History/Historical Geology
and Field Geology; senior level and graduate classes in Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Field Geology; and an
advanced, 500-level seminar in Stratigraphy, all at different colleges in the greater Los Angeles area. He has
presented his work at international meetings in the US, UK, Italy, France and Canada. His research interests as a
scientist include stratigraphy and sedimentology, oceanography, geomorphology, regional geology and global
and climate change. In particular he is doing research on how to extract and process information about
environmental change and ancient climates from the sedimentary rock record. He was a Faculty Fellow at NASAJPL in 2011, and before his Ph.D. he has been working in the oil industry as exploration and well-site geologist.
Important Reminder (check the SMC web page for official dates)
You can easily drop this class at any point during the first few days. After a certain date (you will find that date
on the SMC web page) you would need my approval. As a rule, I will NOT give my approval to drop the class,
unless there are proven extenuating and exceptional circumstances, such as an accident, or hospitalization or
anything that would physically impede the presence in class of the student. A document proving these
extenuating and exceptional circumstances must be presented. Be aware that there will be no exceptions.
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2301 – Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY – spring 2015
Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D., Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California
Tentative schedule of lessons
(if necessary, variations will be detailed in class)
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
.
8
9
..
10
11
..
12
13
14
15
16
17
...
18
Day
February 16
February 18
February 23
February 25
March 2
March 4
March 9
March 11
March 16
March 18
March 23
March 25
March 30
April 1
April 6
April 8
April 13
April 15
April 20
April 22
April 27
April 29
May 4
May 6
May 11
May 13
May 18
May 20
May 25
May 27
June 1
June 3
June 8
June 10
June 15
Topic
Book Chapter
President’s Day
Intro and Plate Tectonics concepts
Atoms, Elements and Minerals
Atoms, Elements and Minerals
Atoms, Elements and Minerals
Igneous Rocks, Volcanism
Igneous Rocks, Volcanism
exam 1
Weathering and soil
Weathering and soil
Weathering and soil
Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphism
Metamorphism
exam 2
Spring Break
Spring Break
Time and Geology
Time and Geology
Time and Geology
Mass Wasting, Streams and Floods
Streams and Floods
Streams and Floods
Streams and Floods
exam 3
Ground Water
Glaciers and Glaciations
Memorial Day
Deserts and Wind Action
Waves, Beaches, and Coasts
Waves, Beaches, and Coasts
Finals Week
Finals Week
exam 4
8:00 AM (not 9:30)
4
Exams
no class
1
2
2
2
3–4
3–4
EXAM 1
5
5
5
6
6
7
7
EXAM 2
no class
no class
8
8
8
9
10
10
10
EXAM 3
11
12
no class
13
14
14
no class
no class
EXAM 4