Instructor: David Krantz david.krantz@utoledo.edu 419-530-2662 Dept: 530-2009
Class Times: Monday and Wednesday 11:00-12:15 DC (Driscoll Center) 1019
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-11:00 Bowman-Oddy 3096-F
Course website: http://www.eeescience.utoledo.edu/Faculty/Krantz/physical_geology.htm
Textbook: Essentials of Geology 4th
Edition, by Wicander & Monroe www.brookscole.com
Week Lecture Topics Reading Assignment
8/25-27 Introduction, Earth’s interior Chapter 1, 9
9/1 ** LABOR DAY – NO CLASS **
9/3 Basic physics, Evolution of the planet Chapter 1
9/8-10 History of plate tectonics Chapter 2
9/15-17 Plate tectonics Chapter 2
9/22 Earth materials: Atoms to molecules Chapter 3
9/24 FIRST HOUR EXAM (25% of course grade)
9/29-10/1 Minerals Chapter 3
10/6-8 Igneous rocks Chapter 4, 5
10/13-15 Volcanoes; Weathering Chapter 5, 6
10/20 ** FALL BREAK – NO CLASS **
10/22 Soils Chapter 6
10/27 Summary
10/29 SECOND HOUR EXAM (25% of course grade)
** LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW 10/31 **
11/3-5 Sedimentary rocks Chapter 7
11/10-12 Metamorphic rocks Chapter 8
11/17-19 Earthquakes Chapter 9
11/24 Folding and mountain building Chapter 10
11/26 ** THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS **
12/1-3 Geologic time; History of Earth Chapter 17, 18
12/8-10 Ground water; Summary Chapter 13
12/19 FINAL EXAM 10:15-12:15 Friday
(~37% of course grade)
Contacting the Instructor
Students are encouraged to ask questions during class, and are welcome to ask questions after class. The instructor’s office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-11:00 for students to stop by and ask questions. Email is an efficient way to ask questions. To avoid problems with virus and spam filters, students must use their University of Toledo email account and put “Physical Geology” in the header. Make sure that the wording of the question is clearly related to this course.
Grading
The course grade will be determined by two exams during the semester, each worth 75 points, one final exam worth 110 points, and about 40 points from in-class activities; 5% of the course grade is at the discretion of the instructor. All exams are multiple choice.
Exam grades are normalized to a class average of 75% (C); however, the student must have a cumulative average above 50% to pass the course (although an average much below 65% probably will earn a D). In-class quizzes and activities are ~13% of grade. There are no make-ups for in-class quizzes and activities – if the student is not there, he or she does not get credit for the activity. Some of the activities assigned in class may be take-home or require use of the Internet; these generally will be due the next class period.
Other than the exams and activities stated above, there are no extra-credit points or projects.
All exams are closed – no books, no notes, no electronic devices of any kind, including calculators, cell phones, and PDAs. Each student needs to bring at least one no. 2 pencil to the exam.
Schedule Conflicts or Missing an Exam
If you know before the day of the exam that you have a schedule conflict at the time of the exam, contact the instructor before the day of the exam to arrange to take the exam at the Test Center.
If the student misses the exam because of an emergency that happens on the day of the exam, the student must contact the instructor that day, as soon as possible, to arrange for a make-up exam at the Test Center. Refer to the University of Toledo policy on missed classes for what constitutes an excused absence. Send an email message to the instructor stating the reason for the absence and requesting a make-up. The student must take the exam within one week of the original exam date, or the student will receive a score of 0 (zero) for that exam.
If the final exam is not taken, a score of 0 (zero) will be calculated into the final grade for the course.
All make-up exams will be taken in the University Test Center, which is in room 1140 of the Student Annex (the single-story building between Carlson Library and Wolfe Hall). Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:45 pm. Phone: 530-2011. Students are required to show a University ID. Make-up exams may be different from the original exam.
|
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
|
1) |
9% |
25% |
41% |
10% |
7% |
|
2) |
22% |
31% |
30% |
10% |
6% |
|
3) |
22% |
25% |
41% |
5% |
7% |
|
4) |
16% |
25% |
35% |
9% |
15% |
(First year of no IW)
Withdrawing from the Course
University policy has changed and the instructor can no longer grant an Instructor Withdrawal (IW). The individual student is responsible for making the decision and withdrawing from the course. The last day for withdrawing is noted in the course syllabus. Grades from the first two exams should be available to the students by the deadline to withdraw.
An Incomplete (IN) grade will be given only in exceptional circumstances that prohibit the student from completing course requirements. The student must request an IN before the final exam.
Having Difficulty with the Course
In any college course, if you are having difficulty with the material, ask for help sooner rather than later. In large introductory classes, the instructor has limited time to help individual students, however, the University provides study-guidance and tutorial services. Please take advantage of these services.
Always a good option: If you did not understand a concept presented in lecture, read the section of the textbook on that topic, then ask a question next class period. If you did not understand something, chances are good that others in the class didn’t get it either.
“Philosophical” Points
Understand this distinction:
The instructor does not give the student a grade, the student earns a grade for the course.
You alone are responsible for your performance in college. This is a great opportunity, make the most of it.
Reward is proportional to effort. (Your grade will reflect the amount of work devoted to the course.)
Take coursework seriously. Develop discipline and good study habits. Learn to avoid or ignore all those wonderful opportunities for recreation.
Learn to focus. Don’t even attempt to multi-task while studying. (You’re kidding yourself if you think that you can.) Turn off the cell phone, don’t get on the internet, don’t look at email, don’t text message. A person’s capacity for deep concentration and problem solving drops by the equivalent of 30-40 IQ points when multi-tasking.
Consistency counts. A moderate work rate throughout the entire semester is most effective. Do NOT try to cram the night before an exam. There is an enormous difference between rote memorization and understanding.
Plan ahead (time management). Make a schedule for each month of the semester with exam dates and deadlines. Make a schedule for each week, blocking out time to study for each course.
Practical Points
Come to class. Pay attention. Take notes.
Print the presentation summaries posted online and bring them to class.
Read the assigned chapters in the textbook.
Review the summary, terms, and questions at the end of each chapter.