Earth Science 202 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
Spring 2009

Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Office: LS 463, Phone: 465-2246
email: dutchs@uwgb.edu, HOME PAGE:  http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs

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Syllabus

Class Notes

May 12, Tuesday FINAL EXAM 8:00-10:00 AM in MAC 210

GRADING:

Exams are multiple choice, 1 pt. per question.
Because test questions are freely available to all (see below), grade breaks are firm, especially C/D and D/F.

Field trip will be held Saturday, April 18. 

Text: Plummer, Carlson and McGeary, Physical Geology
Lab Manual: Jones, Physical Geology.

General Course Expectations

• Course materials are being put on D2L, but look on the Web first.
• You are responsible for being aware of any changes in class schedule or content.
•  If you elect not to attend lecture, you must make arrangements for finding out about changes.
• You are responsible for checking your campus e-mail account for messages. Your account can be accessed from anywhere via the campus home page. I will not send messages to private accounts.
• A credit is defined as three hours of work per week. Count on spending two hours outside of class to assimilate an hour's worth of lecture properly. Cramming just does not work. You're better off getting a good night's sleep before class.
• You are responsible for reading, learning and remembering the material on this syllabus. Material on the syllabus is testable.
• You are responsible for keeping all course materials and records until your final grades are in.
• Professional conduct is mandatory for a passing grade. Talking in class, use of electronic devices (except for taking notes) and leaving during class without approval are unacceptable behavior for adult college students.
• Class ends at 9:20. Everything before then is class time
• Makeups for missed exams (absence, illness, etc.) must be taken within 48 hours of your return to campus. It is your responsibility to set up the appointment. If you cannot reach me by phone or e-mail, it is your responsibility to come to class or my office to find me.

EXAM QUESTIONS

The test bank is available on line. These questions are provided as a convenience to students who want to know what sorts of questions I ask. Please note:

• The exam bank is a convenience, not a guarantee. I reserve the right to edit questions or substitute similar questions on exams.
• Memorizing answers hardly ever results in a good grade.
• Only some of the exam questions are interactive to forestall data mining.
  
• Use critical judgment. Some obsolete questions are still there. If you can't find the answer in the text or your notes, the question will probably not be used.
• These questions are provided as a convenience to students who want to know what sorts of questions I ask, and to prevent students with old exams from having an unfair advantage. I normally make up the exams using these questions, but I reserve the right to use other exams, for example, standardized exams.
• New questions can be added at any time.

FIELD TRIP

It is unfortunately necessary to verify reasons for missing the field trip. Students who miss the trip will be given a form to fill out. Verification consists of:

• Name and phone number of someone who can verify the reason for missing the trip.
• Documentation:
  
  • Work: a note from your supervisor, preferably on official stationery. If you have a printed work schedule, that will do also.
  • Reserves or National Guard: orders or drill schedule.
  • Wedding: a photocopy of the invitation, wedding program, etc.
  • Funeral: a photocopy of the obituary or funeral service.
  • Hard-to-document situations (illness, car trouble, etc.): any documentation you have, plus someone who can verify your plight.

Missing the trip because of showing up at the wrong time or place: No credit or makeup. It is your responsibility to put this event on your calendar.

Field trips leave from the Green Parking lot at 8:00 on the scheduled date and return about 4:15 P.M.

General Field Trip Guidelines

• You must join the trip at UW-Green Bay, not at one of the stops.
• Clothing should be casual. Long sleeves and trousers are recommended, along with tennis shoes. Wear something you can get dirty. There is no strenuous hiking.
• Bring a lunch. There will be rest stops at gas stations where you can buy something.
• Bring plenty of fluids. Even on a cold day you can get surprisingly dehydrated.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted.
• There are ticks in the brush at a couple of stops. Long sleeves and trousers are recommended. Check yourself carefully.
• Because of insurance concerns, students may not bring private vehicles on the trip. You must use the transportation provided.
• Students who live in the Crivitz area may be dropped off there after the field trip is over. You are solely responsible for your ride arrangements.

Basic Goals of the Course (What we are Trying to Do)

Information

• Understand the interactions between the solid earth, hydrosphere and atmosphere
• Know some of the important mineral and rock materials that make up the surface of the Earth
• Understand how water and ice modify the surface of the earth
• Know why earthquakes occur where they do, and how they endanger human life and property.
• Know why volcanoes occur where they do, and how they endanger human life and property.
• Understand how mineral resources form, and understand their finite extent
• Be able to describe plate tectonics and its connection to earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building
• Understand geologic time and know some of the major milestones in the evolution of the Earth
• Understand ocean currents and tides and why they occur
• Know how oceans affect shorelines and humans that live near them
• Understand rocky, gas giant, and ice planets

Reasoning Skills

• Be able to follow chains of ideas and events
• Be able to connect ideas from several different subject areas
• Be able to learn new material and connect it to previously learned ideas so that you can recall it
• Understand how geoscientists decipher the history of the earth
• Understand why geoscientists believe the earth is ancient and how they find the ages of rocks
• Understand why geoscientists believe in plate tectonics

Laboratory Skills

• Be able to determine distance and direction on a map
• Be able to visualize terrain from a map and identify geologic features
• Be able to identify principal rocks and minerals using simple methods
• Understand what geologic maps show and how to interpret them

View the Field Trip Guide
View Class notes and Visuals
Access Test Bank
Return to Professor Dutch's home page

Created 6 January 1999; Last Update 13 April 2009

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