Physical Geology 101 (#20703) Syllabus

Alyssa Beach, PG                   abeach@cerritos.edu

M/W 12:30-3:10pm            Rm: PST-143

Office Hours: M/W 12-1230pm in PST-142

Required Materials:

• PHYSICAL GEOLOGY by Plummer, Carlson, & Hammersley, 15^th Edition, ISBN: 978-0-07-809610-5 (14^th Okay, ISBN: 978-0-089262-3) published by McGraw-Hill. Assigned chapters are to be read before class!
• PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LAB MANUAL for Cerritos College (available only at the Cerritos College Bookstore).
• Two Scantron test answer sheets (882-E), pen, pencil, and a basic calculator (cell phone not allowed)

Recommended Materials:

• Colored pencils, Hammond World Atlas, Sturdy walking shoes, Clip board, Sunglasses, Hat, Reusable Water Bottle

 

Attendance: Attendance is required. If you are late or absent, it is your responsibility to get any missed notes, class assignments, etc. Makeup work (including exams) will only be allowed for excused absences; generally due to health, serious family emergencies, religious observations, etc. Excused absences must be accompanied by supporting documentation (e.g. doctor’s note) and I must be contacted with your valid reason before the absence. Students may be dropped due to excessive tardiness and/or absences.

 

Canvas: Students are required to add an email address to Cerritos College’s Canvas website for this class. Check frequently for grades, extra credit guidelines, worksheets, and announcements. I prefer communication via Canvas.  

 

Prelabs: Prelab will largely be assigned from the Lab Manual and are due at the beginning of class (see calendar below). Any worksheets assigned as Prelabs will be provided by the instructor or on Canvas. It is recommended that students read the assigned chapter before completing the Prelab. Late prelabs will not be accepted, generally after class has begun.

 

Labs: Labs will largely be assigned from the Lab Manual and will typically follow the lecture each day. Any worksheets assigned as labs will be provided by the instructor. Labs will reinforce concepts discussed during lecture, in prelabs and assigned readings. It is highly recommended that labs be completed in groups. While working on labs in class it is expected that you are asking questions of your classmates and instructor, discussing your thoughts. Missed or late work will not be accepted, unless due to an excused absence (see Attendance above).

 

Student Presentations: Each student is required to present on a preapproved topic to the class. Topics are first-come, first-serve. See the calendar below for the topic due date and refer to Canvas for the presentation guidelines.

 

Field Trips: Attendance during three 1-day field trips is required. Students may not drive separately, if bus transportation is provided. Refer to Canvas and the calendar (below) for more details. There will be no make-up field trips offered.

 

Quizzes: Six quizzes (worth 10 pts each) will be given randomly throughout the semester. Quiz questions will focus on material covered during lectures, videos, prelabs, labs, and assigned readings. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.

 

Exams: The midterm and final exams will both be noncumulative. Exam questions may originate from lectures, videos, quizzes, prelabs, labs, and assigned readings. Each student must bring one Scantron test answer sheets (882-E) and a #2 pencil and will be allowed a double-sided, hand-written, 8.5”x11” page of notes during each exam. Students will not be allowed any electronic devices during exams and must adhere to the College’s Academic Honestly Policy (see below). Makeup exams will only be allowed for excused absences (See Attendance above).

 

Extra Credit: Extra credit points will be given based on proof of participation and satisfactory completion of the written assignment. Guidelines for the written assignments can be found on Canvas. Be sure to thoroughly read each guideline as each is unique! No more than 25 extra credit points will be awarded to any one student.

South Coast Geological Society Meeting* (Orange)      5 pts                

Western Science Center  (Hemet)                                  25 pts  

LA Basin Geological Society Meeting* (Long Beach)    5 pts                

La Brea Tar Pits (LA)                                                        25 pts

Ralph B. Clark Interpretive Center (Buena Park)           25 pts              

Natural History Museum (LA)                                         25 pts    

Raymond M. Alf Museum (Claremont)                           25 pts              

*May be repeated up to 25 points.

 

Grading:                     

Presentation                                                       25 pts

Quizzes (5 @ 10 pts each)                                 50 pts  

Field Trips (3 @ 25 pts each)                             75 pts

Prelabs (20 @ 5 pts each)                                  100 pts

Exam (2 @ 100 pts each)                                   200 pts

Labs (25 @ x 10 pts each)                                 250 pts

                                                               Total    700 pts

 

A = 100 – 88% (700-622 pts), B = 87 – 78% (621-552 pts), C = 77 – 68% (551-482 pts),

D = 67 – 58% (481-412 pts), F = 57 – 0% (411-0 pts)

 Note:  All dates subject to change         Ch = Chapter in textbook

 

Student Learning Objectives: Physical Geology is the study of Earth, the materials that make up our planet and the processes that shape its surface. Through successful completion of this course, one will develop critical thinking skills while gaining a deeper appreciation of how our dynamic Earth changes over time. In order to achieve this, you are expected to become familiar with many new vocabulary words, critical think to solve geologic questions, and communicate your understanding of geological processes using college-level writing. Simply memorizing facts will not be sufficient to past his course. In the end, the physical Earth around you should be more meaningful to you and you’ll have become a better thinker, which will benefit you throughout life. This course also provides an opportunity to earn 4 units of lecture and lab credit, transferable to CSUs and UCs.

 

Cerritos College has instituted the iFalcon-Habits of Mind program that is helping students for life in the public, success in academia, and prepare for professional careers. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this invaluable resource: http://cms.cerritos.edu/ifalcon/default.htm

 

After successfully completing this course a student will be able to (1) Demonstrate an understanding of the physical structure and morphology of the Earth and operation of Earth Systems due to plate tectonics;

(2) Identify and classify Earth materials and demonstrate an understanding of their chemical makeup; (3) Analyze and apply the scientific method to geologic problems which will result in reasonable and logical conclusions; (4) Assess and evaluate the impact of natural processes such as earthquakes and volcanoes on the human environment.

 

Electronic Devices: Unauthorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices during class will result in removal with no make-up options. Please turn your cell phone on silent during class, I will do the same.

 

Academic Honesty Policy (See Cerritos College Class Schedule): Academic Dishonesty is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means. Examples of academic dishonesty would include, but not be limited to the following:

• Copying, either in part or in whole, from another’s test or examination;
• Discussion of answers or ideas relating to the answers, on examination or test when the instructor prohibits such discussion;
• Obtaining copies of an exam without the permission of the instructor;
• Using notes, “cheat sheets”, or otherwise utilizing information or devices not considered appropriate under the prescribed test conditions;
• Altering a grade or interfering with the grading procedures in any course;
• Allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the same;
• Plagiarism, which is defined as the act of taking the ideas, words or specific substantive material of another and offering them as one’s own without giving credit to the source.

The faculty member may take options to the extent that the faculty member considers the cheating or plagiarism to manifest the student’s lack of scholarship or to reflect on the student’s lack of academic performance in the course. One or more of the following actions are available to the faculty member who suspects a student has been cheating or plagiarizing:

• Review-no action.
• An oral reprimand with emphasis on counseling toward prevention of further occurrences.
• A requirement that work be repeated.
• A reduction of the grade earned on the specific work in question, including the possibility of no credit for the work.
• A reduction of the course grade as a result of item 4 above, including the possibility of a failing grade for the course.
• Referral to the Office of Judicial Affairs for further administrative action, such as suspension or expulsion.

 

Academic Accommodation Statement: If you have a documented disability or think you may have a disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact your instructor as soon as possible.

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disabled Students Programs and Services at (562) 860-2451 x2335, as early as possible in the term.

It is the college’s policy to provide, on an individual basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their instructor to discuss their individual needs for accommodations.

 

Study Tips: Attend class. Take good notes. Read all assigned chapters. Participate in class activities. Answer the questions at the end of each chapter. Do the extra credit. Study with classmates. Attend tutoring sessions. Ask questions!