GEOL 1307 Earth Science I

Spring 2007

Room N938- TTH 8 to 9:45 a.m.

Dr. Brad Hoge

Office: N725E (713)-221-8289

Office Hours: MW 10-2, or by appointment

Home Page: http://www.uhd.edu/~hogeb

Course: Natural Science 1307 – Earth Science I – Is an integrated lecture/laboratory course emphasizing major topics in earth science and physical geology, and their applications in society and to science literacy.

This course is for non-science majors, however topics covered will be equivalent to the majors course with slightly less scrutiny. You will learn the basic concepts of the earth sciences field, which consists of the study of physical geology, structural geology, oceanography, geomorphology and environmental geology.

Collaborative Learning: It is widely accepted that one learns by doing or taking a hands-on approach to learning. This is particularly true in a science course. Throughout this course you will be working in groups. You will be helping each other learn the material being presented by working on laboratory exercises. Therefore, you will be involved in doing, reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking. My role is this class will be that of lecturer, but also as facilitator for the labs. In order for you to be prepared to discuss issues and work through the exercises in a timely manner, you must read the material scheduled to be discussed before you come to class.

There may be a field trip. If so, the date will be announced within the first few weeks of class.

Textbook: Physical Geology: Laboratory Text and Manual, 6^th ed.; R.D. Dallmeyer.

Evaluation Method:

Unit Tests – 60% (three exams combining lab practical and essay questions)

Lab Exercises – 20% (five of the labs completed during class, your choice)

Final Exam – 20%

Your grade will be determined on a straight percentage basis for all possible points in the course (90 – 100 = A, 80 – 99 = B, 70 – 79 = C, 60 – 69 = D, below 60 = F).

Examinations: Because this is an integrated lecture/laboratory course, each examination will contain test material from both. Each unit exam will contain short essay questions and lab practical style questions. Most questions will be problem or application oriented and will make use of your critical thinking skills (problem solving, analysis, synthesis and evaluation)

There will be three unit exams. The final exam will be comprehensive and all students must take the final exam. There will be opportunities for extra credit on exams, but no extra assignments will be made.

Attendance: Due to the experiential nature of this course, you are required to attend class on a regular basis. If you do not attend class, it is your responsibility to officially drop the course.

Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated. We will adhere to the university’s Honesty Code. It states: WE WILL BE HONEST IN ALL OUR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AND WILL NOT TOLERATE DISHONESTY.

Every attempt will be made to meet special needs of students in this course. For more details on this policy, see page 22 of the UHD Catalog.

Course Schedule: The following is a tentative schedule to help me pace the course in a timely manner and to help you prepare for class. The schedule is subject to adjustment.

Week of:

Chapter/Exercise

Topic

Jan. 16

Jan. 18

Introduction

Exercise 22

Exercise 1

Geologic Time and the Nature of Science

Introduction to Minerals/Physical Chemistry

Jan. 24

Jan. 26