2301 - spring 2015 geol 1, introduction to physical...

2301 – Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY – spring 2015 Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D., Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California

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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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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 Scan-Tron. 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: 910 - 1000 points SINGLE EXAMS: A: 91 - 100 points B: 800 - 909 points B: 80 - 90 points C: 700 - 799 points C: 70 - 79 points D: 600 - 699 points D: 60 - 69 points

F: 599 points or less 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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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 NASA-JPL 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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Tentative schedule of lessons (if necessary, variations will be detailed in class)

Week Day Topic Book Chapter Exams 1 February 16 President’s Day no class February 18 Intro and Plate Tectonics concepts 1 2 February 23 Atoms, Elements and Minerals 2 February 25 Atoms, Elements and Minerals 2 3 March 2 Atoms, Elements and Minerals 2 March 4 Igneous Rocks, Volcanism 3 – 4 4 March 9 Igneous Rocks, Volcanism 3 – 4 March 11 exam 1 EXAM 1 5 March 16 Weathering and soil 5 March 18 Weathering and soil 5 6 March 23 Weathering and soil 5 March 25 Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks 6 7 March 30 Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks 6 . April 1 Metamorphism 7 8 April 6 Metamorphism 7 April 8 exam 2 EXAM 2 9 April 13 Spring Break no class .. April 15 Spring Break no class 10 April 20 Time and Geology 8 April 22 Time and Geology 8 11 April 27 Time and Geology 8 .. April 29 Mass Wasting, Streams and Floods 9 12 May 4 Streams and Floods 10 May 6 Streams and Floods 10 13 May 11 Streams and Floods 10 May 13 exam 3 EXAM 3 14 May 18 Ground Water 11 May 20 Glaciers and Glaciations 12 15 May 25 Memorial Day no class May 27 Deserts and Wind Action 13 16 June 1 Waves, Beaches, and Coasts 14 June 3 Waves, Beaches, and Coasts 14 17 June 8 Finals Week no class ... June 10 Finals Week no class 18 June 15 exam 4 8:00 AM (not 9:30) EXAM 4

2301 - spring 2015 geol 1, introduction to physical...

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