COURSE OUTLINE FOR
Geol 1404 Historical Geology
Spring/2011
Class Number: 67428 Section 91
Time and location
8:30AM-Noon; 12:30PM-4:30PM / Days Saturday (Lecture; Room# S114) and (Lab; Room # S114). Stafford Campus.
Instructor
Bob Van Nieuwenhuise E-mail: r.vannieuwenhuise @hccs.edu
Phone: 281-414-1241 Web sites: http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/members/robert.vannieuwenhuise
The following two texts are required: The Earth Through Time, 9th Edition by Harold L. Levin, John Wiley & Sons, 2010
(ISBN 978-0-470-38774-0) and Laboratory Studies in Earth History, 9th Edition by HaroldL.Levin and Michael S.Smith, McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2008 (ISBN-13 9780073050720).
Textbook Laboratory Manual
The Earth Through Time, 9th Edition by Harold L. Laboratory Studies in Earth History , 9th Edition by Harold L. Levin Levin, John Wiley & Sons, 2010. and Michael S. Smith, McGraw-Hill, 2008.
ISBN 978-0-470-38774-0 ISBN-13 9780073050720
EACH STUDENT MUST HAVE HIS OWN LAB MANUAL. COPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
Course Catalog Description
Study of the history of the earth, its life and geologic time. Laboratory includes the study of sedimentary
rocks, fossils, and maps. Core Curriculum Course.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: GEOL 1403; Must be placed into college-level reading (or take GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) and be placed into college-level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349 as a co-requisite).
Course Intent
This course is intended as a science with a laboratory requirement course for students majoring in any program leading to an associate degree or higher.
Course Content
See the course schedule below for the topics (listed by chapter title) that will be covered in this class. Historical Geology covers the history of the Earth and its current and pre-historic life forms (fossils) on Earth in considerably more detail than done in Earth Science I (Geol-1401) or Physical Geology (Geol-1403). Emphasis is on the immense geologic time in which earth and its life forms have existed and that the present is our key-to-the-past.
Student Learning Outcomes
Academic Discipline/CTE Program Learning Outcomes
1. Program SLO #_ 1 _: Students will recognize scientific and quantitative methods. Students will evaluate the differences of scientific approaches and communicate these findings, analyses, and interpretations in oral and written communication. Program SLO #_ 2 _: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern science, including issues that touch upon ethics, values, religion, and public policies. Program SLO #_ 3 _: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence on, and contribution to, modern culture. Program SLO #_ 4 _: Students will identify and recognize the differences in competing scientific theories.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): 4 to 7
1. Level 1: Knowledge 1. Recall the history of the Earth in terms of plate tectonics, major features, and the
processes that shaped those features. 2. Define and recall the formation of the solar system and the
Earth.
Level 2: Comprehension 1. Define evolution of life, and the major evolutionary events in the history of the Earth. 2. Identify and distinguish fossils of the major invertebrate and vertebrate animals, as well as selected
plant fossils.
Level 4: Analysis 1. Analyze, identify, and remember sedimentary rocks in terms of physical properties, textures,
compositions, sedimentary structures, and environments of deposition.
Level 5: Synthesis 1. Recall and apply the principles of sedimentology.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives (Numbering system should be linked to SLO - e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.)
Level 1: Knowledge
1. Recall the history of the Earth in terms of plate tectonics, major features, and the processes that shaped those features.
2. Define and recall the formation of the solar system and the Earth.
3. Name the eons, eras and periods of the geologic time scale including the dates of the eras.
Level 2: Comprehension
1. Define evolution of life, and the major evolutionary events in the history of the Earth.
2. Identify and distinguish fossils of the major invertebrate and vertebrate animals, as well as selected plant fossils.
Level 4: Analysis
1. Analyze, identify, and remember sedimentary rocks in terms of physical properties, textures, compositions,
sedimentary structures, and environments of deposition.
Level 5: Synthesis
1. Recall and apply the principles of sedimentology.
Attendance Policy
The HCCS attendance policy is stated in the Schedule of Classes: “Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Students are responsible for materials covered during their absences, and it is the student's responsibility to consult with instructors for make-up assignments. Class attendance is checked daily by instructors. Although it is the responsibility of the student to drop a course for non-attendance, the instructor has full authority to drop a student for excessive absences. A student may be dropped from a course for excessive absences after the student has accumulated absences in excess of 12.5% of the hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time).” HCCS is now monitoring this weekly.
If circumstances significantly prevent you from attending classes, please inform me. I realize that sometimes outside circumstances can interfere with school, and I will try to be as accommodating as possible, but please be aware of the attendance policy.
Last Day for Administrative and Student Withdrawals:
This date is stated in the Schedule of Classes. After the withdrawal date no W can be given, you must receive a regular grade (A-F) in the course. I urge any student who is contemplating withdrawing from the class to see me first! You may be doing better than you think. Either way, I want to be accessible and supportive. You are much more than just a name or number! If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact me (my phone number and e-mail address are listed above). I'm here to help.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
HCCS is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504). "Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office”
If you have any special needs or disabilities which may affect your ability to succeed in college classes or participate in college programs/activities, please contact the office of disability support services at the college. Upon consultation and documentation, you will be provided with reasonable accommodations and/or modifications. Please contact the DSS office as soon as you begin the term. For questions, contact Donna Price at 713 718 5165 or the Disability Counselor at HCC-Southwest: Dr. Becky A. Hauri at 713 718 7909; also see the Schedule of Classes for additional DSS numbers.
Also visit the ADA web site at: http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/index.htm. Faculty Handbook/ Faculty Orientation is also available at http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/faculty.htm
Academic Honesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by the college system against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Penalties can include a grade of "0" or "F" on the particular assignment, failure in the course, academic probation, or even dismissal from the college. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Laboratory Policy
On the first day of lab a safety discussion will be given, for the most part our labs include lab manuals, minerals, rocks fossils, maps and inert materials. A weak solution of HCL (10%) may be used to test for calcite as a mineral or in rocks.
Exams and Make-up Policy
Examinations will consist of two non-cumulative regular exams plus a comprehensive final. Exams must be made-up. Remember that the final exam will be comprehensive and is usually more difficult than the regular exam (meaning that it will cover all of the material from the whole semester, not just the last part).
Please note: 1) All students are required to take the final (no student can be exempted),
2) After the withdrawal date no, W can be given. You must receive a regular grade (A-F) in the course.
Assignments
Outside of doing laboratory reports, reading and studying, special assignments are normally not required. Laboratory Reports are due the following week they are assigned. Most students try to finish before leaving the lab.
Grading
The overall score is based on the following:
Two Lecture Exams / Lab Exams / Laboratory Reports (8) / Pop Quiz / Final Exam30% / 10% / 35% / 5% / 20%
Overall Score = 0.30(Average of two regular exams)+0.45(Laboratory grade)+0.20(Final Exam)+0.05(Pop quiz)
The course grade is then obtained from the overall score:
Final Average / 90 - 100 / 80 – 89 / 70 – 79 / 60 – 69 / < 60Letter Grade / A / B / C / D / F
Other Information
A tutoring schedule will be posted in the classroom and lab for Geology 1403. Your best immediate source of information is your textbook - make thorough use of it.
Important Dates:
02/12/2011: Classes begin
03/14-20/2011: Spring Break
04/21/2011: Last Day for Administrative/ Student Withdrawals with a grade of “W”. 4:30PM
”After the withdrawal date no W can be given, you must receive a regular grade (A-F) in the course.”
04/22-24/2011: Easter Holiday (Good Friday and Holy Saturday we will be off)
05/05/2011: Instruction ends
05/12/2010: Final Exam (No deviation from the printed schedule are permitted)
05/20/2011: Grades Available to Students.
General Suggestions
Always read your Chapters in advance. If you cannot read the entire chapter, read the summary in the back and then read the details after the lecture. Be prepared.
COURSE SCHEDULE
CLASS DATE DISCUSSION TOPICS & ACTIVITIES
01 (S) 02/12 Introductions, Overview of Course, Chapter 1: The Science of Historical Geology;
Chapter 2: Early Geologists Tackle Histories Mysteries; Laboratory 1& 2: Introduction to
Sedimentary Rocks Textural Clues to the History of Sediments.
02 (S) 02/19 Chapter 3: Time & Geology; Chapter 4: Rocks and Minerals: Documents that Record the
Earth’s History; Laboratory 3: Sedimentary Rocks under the Microscope.
03 (S) 02/26 Chapter 5: The Sedimentary Archives; Laboratory 4 Ancient Sedimentary Environments
04 (S) 03/05 Chapter 6: Life on Earth: What Do Fossils Reveal? ; Laboratory 7 & 8: Age Relations and
Unconformity & Rock Units and Time Rock Units. First Exam Review. Exam 1: Chapters 1-5
Lab Exam 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 & 8.
05 (S) 03/12 Chapter 7: Plate Tectonics Underlies All Earth History; Lecture Exam 1: Chapters 1-5;
Lab Exam Chapters 1- 4, 7 & 8.
06 (S) 03/26 Chapter 8: The Earth’s Formative Stages and the Archean Eon; Chapter 9: The Proterozoic,
Dawn of a More Modern World; Laboratory 5& 6: Tectonic Settings Sea-Floor Spreading
and Plate Tectonics.
07 (S) 04/02 Chapter 10: Early Paleozoic Events; Chapter 11: Late Paleozoic Events; Laboratory 9:
The Advance and Retreat of Ancient Shorelines.
08 (S) 04/09 Chapter 12: Life of the Paleozoic; Laboratory 10 & 11: Fossils and Their Living Relatives:
Protists, Sponges, Corals, Bryozoans and Brachiopods Mollusks, Arthropods, Echinoderms,
Graptolites and Plants; Exam 2 Review: Chapters 6-11.
09 (S) 04/16 Chapter 13: Mesozoic Events; Chapter 14: Mesozoic Life; Exam 2 Chapters 6-11.
10 (S) 04/23 Easter – Holiday
11 (S) 04/30 Chapter 15: Cenozoic Events; Chapter 16: Life of the Cenozoic; Laboratory 12 & 13:
Fossil Indicators of Age, Environment and Correlation & A Brief Survey the Vertebrates.
Review for Lab Exam 2: Fossils.
12 (S) 05/7 Chapter 17: Human Origins: A Brief Summary; finalize all Lab Reports; Lab Exam 2: Fossils;
Review for Final Exam.
13 (S) 05/14 Final Exam: includes all Chapters, Primarily12-17.
Semester Ends
NOTE: Course Syllabus and Class Schedule subject to modification. Any updates to the syllabus and schedule will be posted on the Learning Web.
EXAMS SCHEDULE
March 05* Lab EXAM 1 - Sedimentary Rocks
March 05* EXAM 1 – Chapters: 1 – 5
April 16* EXAM 2 – Chapters: 4 – 6
April 20* Lab EXAM 2 – Fossils
May 14 FINAL EXAM – Chapters: 1 – 12
(*) Date may change
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