Southern
Connecticut State University
Earth Science 359
– Engineering Geology
Course Syllabus –
Fall 2001
Instructor: Thomas Van Biersel (vanbiersel@southernct.edu)
Office/Phone: Morrill 214C/(203) 392-5842
Office Hours: MWF 2:00-3:00 and TR 11:00-12:00 (or by
appointment)
Topic: Geological factors which influence engineering practice, and environmental impact of engineering works. Soils, groundwater, materials of construction, tunnels, foundations, dams, shoreline installations.
Required text: Engineering Geology 2nd ed. by Rahn (Prentice Hall)
Exams: There will be two lecture exams (25% each), nine laboratory exercises (30%) and one final project (20%). 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 |
9/3 |
Introduction and maps |
Reading Assignment |
Chapter 1 & 2 |
|
2 |
9/10 |
Rock weathering and soils |
Maps & Remote sensing |
Chapter 3 |
|
3 |
9/17 |
Rock mechanics |
Rock/mineral properties |
Chapter 4 |
|
4 |
9/24 |
Rock mechanics |
Rock mechanic |
Chapter 4 |
|
5 |
10/1 |
Soil mechanics
|
Rock discontinuity |
Chapter 5 |
|
6 |
10/8 |
Soil mechanics |
Soil mechanic
|
Chapter 5 |
|
7 |
10/15 |
Midterm and Mass Wasting |
Soil mechanic (cont’d)
|
Chapter 6 |
|
8 |
10/22 |
Mass wasting |
Slope stability |
Chapter 6 |
|
9 |
10/29 |
Ground water |
Ground water: Subsidence |
Chapter 7 |
|
10 |
11/5 |
No lectures (GSA) |
No lab (GSA) |
|
|
11 |
11/12 |
Subsidence and fluvial |
Gound water: Flownet |
Chapter 9 & 8 |
|
12 |
11/19 |
Fluvial (cont’d) |
No lab |
Chapter 8 |
|
13 |
11/26 |
Coastal |
Final project |
Chapter 10 |
|
14 |
12/3 |
Earthquakes |
Final project (cont’d) |
Chapter 11 |
|
15 |
12/10 |
Geophysical techniques
|
Final project (cont’d)
|
Chapter 12 |
|
16 |
12/20 |
Final Exam |
|
|
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.