Geology 101 - THE EARTH - Fall 2009
Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 9:05 AM in Hasbrouck, Room 124

Instructor:             Chris Condit
Office:                     Morrill Science Center, Room 246 (phone 545-0272)
Office Hours:        Monday & Wednesday  10:00-11:00 AM or by appointment

Physical geology as a general education course: 
                Welcome to The Earth.  This is our home planet.  This is where we live.  We should understand how the Earth functions, how it is changing, and how its features shape human society.  The goal of this course is to inspire interest and understanding of the features and processes that shape our global physical landscape on this rocky, watery sphere that is our home in the universe.  You should leave this course with greater understanding about the age and composition of the earth, environments in which different rocks are found, processes that shape our landscape, and how these influence and shape our lives. 
                You have enrolled in a general education course designed to inform you about the features and functions of this planet.  You can expect to become better at observing the world around you, at understanding of geological processes that shape our landscapes, at applying logic to natural phenomena, and at recognizing that geologic distributions of natural resources and hazards plays a large role in human society.  Class meetings will be interactive, with numerous in-class activities.  You are expected to maintain regular attendance, keep up with readings, complete in-class exercises and activities, hand in all assignments, and participate in discussions. 

Texts:
1)  Essentials of Geology, Third Edition, by Stephen Marshak (essential).
2)  Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, 8th Edition AGI/NAGT by Richard Busch, Editor (required; may also be co-listed as text for GeoSci 131)
Textbooks are available at the textbook annex; you may be able to get a better deal on-line.

The class schedule is subject to changes, depending on how long it takes for us to discuss topics, snow days, etc.  The dates of the hour examinations are fixed; material covered on these exams will be adjusted accordingly.

Course grade:
Best 3 of 4 Hourly Exams (each worth 10%):                                                                                        30%
Cumulative Final Exam (mandatory)                                                                                                      15%
In-Class Exercises and Quizzes                                                                                                             20%
Berkshire Field Trip and Report                                                                                                            10%
Lab Grade                                                                                                                                             25%
Total                                                                                                                                                    100%
Extra Credit - Four page double-spaced book review, due last day of classes          5%

Each hour exam (including the fourth) treats a separate block of material.  Note the final exam, which is scheduled during the second hour of the Final Exam period will cover all course material.

ABOUT THE EXAMS: Our in-class exams will be pyramid type in nature, and will consist of 25 multiple choice questions.  You will take the same exam twice.  During the first 30 minutes of the exam period you will answer the questions yourself, without using books or notes, and turn your answer sheet in.  You will then have the rest of the 50 minute exam period (20 minutes) to take the exam a second time, during which you may consult with your neighbors and your book and notes.  Your final grade of the exam will be weighted so that the first exam is worth 75% of your grade, and the second is worth 25%.  The final exam will likewise be a pyramid exam, with 25 key questions on the content from the entire semester.

MAKE-UP POLICY ON EXAMS:  NONE!  Your Exam grade (30% of your total grade) will consist of the best grades on three of the four exams you take.  If you miss one, your exam grade will be based on the three exams you have taken. There are no make up exams unless there are absolutely unavoidable and unusual circumstances.  Make-up exams, if permitted, may consist of essay-type questions.  The final exam is mandatory, and will count 15% of your total grade.

Class Meetings:  Attendance in class is expected and probably essential.  Exams will stress concepts developed in class meetings.  YOU ARE EXPECTED TO 'UNCOVER' THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL IN THE SYLLABUS YOURSELF (pages are listed daily by class period). You will find that on selected topics I will not necessarily 'cover' the assigned material. The class will be an exploration into the material considering how it relates to geologic problems, many of which will be included on exams.

Class Exercises and Weekly Geoscience in-the-News:  In some classes, you will be divided into groups, which will present a part of the material to the whole class.  There will also be class exercises and quizzes that you will turn in during class.  A part of Friday will discuss “Geology in the News” for that week; you will be asked to turn in a one-to-two paragraph summary each week on your topic.  You must be in class to turn in your summary.  Additional assignments, including on-line exercises such as “Geotours” (see page GT-1, after Appendix 1) will also be expected.

Laboratory Work:  Labs of Geo 101 are coordinated with lectures insofar as feasible.

First LAB begins Monday, September 14th in Morill 134
Tentative Order of Labs:
1       Minerals
2       Igneous Rocks
3       Sedimentary Rocks and Structures
4       Field Trip - Stream Processes, Mill River
5       Metamorphic Rocks
6       Field trip - Deerfield Basin
7       Topographic Maps
8       Geologic Maps
9       Structural Geology
10     Field trip - Ryan's Hill
11     Field Trip - Glacial Geology of Amherst Area
12     Environmental Geology

Laboratory work will be tested in the laboratory periods and grades for it reported as a separate class. 

Get to know your Graduate Teaching Assistant well (Note:  TAs will be assigned by Friday September 11)..  Locate her/his office in the department as soon as possible and know the office hours, whether or not you have problems. 

The following may be asked on your First Exam, so fill it in next week:

TA Name: __________   TA Office #:__________  TA Office Hours:___________

On field trips, wear boots and warm clothing.  In the event of steady rain, indoor lab will be held.

A note about how to study for this course:
Geology, like any physical science, has a vocabulary all its own. But it is a diverse discipline, requiring a use of biology, chemistry and physics to thoroughly understand it.  Because of this, it often requires repeated reading to grasp many of its concepts. 
I recommend that you: 
1) Read and note-take on the assignments listed before class.  If you do this, you will know what is in the book, and what is discussed in class, and will not have to get bogged down with frantic note-taking during class.  You will also be better able to ask questions and participate in class. 
2)  Read/note-take  the assignment again after the class period, to make sure you understood. 
3)  Study with your friends:  answering each other's questions is the best way to be sure you know the subject. 
4) Come during my office hours if things need discussing, or you want to know more about some topic.

Karen Katastrophe is the TA for the lecture section, e-mail kkatastrophe@geo.umass.edu, office 249C

Geo 101 Lab Schedule
Lab                      Time                      TA                                Office                          Email
Monday            2:30-5:30       Jamie Geologist          Morrill 252                jamiegeo@geo.umass.edu
Tuesday           8:00-11:00    Jamie Geologist          Morrill 252                jamiegeo @geo.umass.edu
Tuesday           6:00-9:00      Emily Earthquake      Morrill 358                eequakeem @geo.umass.edu
Wednesday    2:30-5:30       Krystal Sparos             Morrill 129A              kspar@geo.umass.com
Thursday         2:30-5:30       Emily Equake              Morrill 358                eequakeem @geo.umass.edu

Tentative Schedule:  WILL BE REVISED