Southern
Connecticut State University
Earth Science 120
– General Geology
Instructor: Thomas Van Biersel (vanbiersel@southernct.edu)
Office/Phone: Morrill 214C/(203) 392-5842
Office Hours: MW 10:00-12:00 and F 10:00-11:00 (or by
appointment)
Topic: Physical processes, earth materials, geologic hazards and landscapes are studied for a geological perspective on the earth's environment.
Required text: Understanding the Earth 3rd ed. By Press and Siever (W. H. Freeman and Co)
Exams: There will be three lecture exams (24% each), and four laboratory quizzes (7% each). No make-up exam will be given (unless for documented medical reasons in accordance with university policies). Exams are not cumulative. Exams will not be returned to the student but can be viewed during the instructor’s office hours
Laboratories and lectures: There will be no make-up labs or lectures. It is the student’s responsibility to attend all scheduled class periods or to make other prior arrangements with the instructor. Laboratory exercises will be handed out at the end of the lab period. No late work will be accepted. No “Extra Credit” will be given.
Week |
Date |
Lecture Topic |
Laboratory |
Reading |
|
1 |
1/22 |
Introduction Building a Planet |
Take Home |
Chapter 1 |
|
2 |
1/28 |
Minerals |
Minerals |
Chapter 2 |
|
3 |
2/4 |
Rocks Cycle and Igneous Rocks |
Minerals |
Chapter 3 & 4 |
|
4 |
2/11 |
Volcanism |
QUIZ I |
Chapter 5 |
|
5 |
2/18 |
Weathering and Erosion |
Igneous rocks |
Chapter 6 |
|
|
2/20 |
EXAM I |
|
|
|
6 |
2/25 |
Sedimentary Rocks |
Sedimentary Rocks |
Chapter 7 |
|
7 |
3/4 |
Metamorphic Rocks |
Metamorphic Rocks |
Chapter 8 |
|
8 |
3/11 |
Rock Record and Geologic Time |
QUIZ II |
Chapter 9 |
|
9 |
3/18 |
Folds and Faults |
Geologic Time |
Chapter 10 |
|
10 |
3/25 |
SPRING BREAK |
|
|
|
11 |
4/1 |
Mass Wasting and Landscape |
Maps (Topo. & Geologic) |
Chapter 11 & 16 |
|
|
4/3 |
EXAM II |
|
|
|
12 |
4/8 |
Hydrologic Cycle and Ground water |
QUIZ III |
Chapter 12 |
|
13 |
4/15 |
Surface Water |
Rivers & Ground Water |
Chapter 13 |
|
14 |
4/22 |
Deserts and Glaciers |
Deserts & Glaciers |
Chapter 14 & 15 |
|
15 |
4/29 |
Earthquakes and Earth Interior |
Earthquakes
|
Chapter 18 & 19 |
|
16 |
5/6 |
Plate Tectonic and Deformation
|
Quiz IV |
Chapter 20 & 21 |
|
|
5/17 |
EXAM III |
|
|
Note: This syllabus is meant to be a guide to the topics that will be covered in this course. Coverage of individual topics and exam dates may be adjusted during the semester; any changes will be announced in class.
Policies: Students are expected to behave in accordance with the SCSU Student Code of Conduct.