Notes: Most of the material covered in this course is in the lectures and videos. The textbook covers part of the course (plate tectonics and earthquakes) pretty well, but the section on volcanoes is not readily available in any textbook (including Dynamic Earth - Geo 105). Reading the appropriate chapters in the textbook will supplement the lectures and provide you with the necessary background and terminology to understand them. To do well in the course, therefore, you will need good, clear, complete notes that you understand. To this end, I will post outlines of the lectures on the course web site. You may reach the GEO-105 course website through the UMass Department of Geosciences website (www.geo.umass.edu/courses/geo105/), These notes are intended as a study aid, so that you can listen to the lectures rather than spending all of your time scribbling furiously trying to take complete notes. They are not intended as a reason to skip classes! If you suspect that your notes are inadequate, or that you do not understand them, you should see me or the Teaching Assistant during our office hours, well before the appropriate exam. Remember, we am here to help!
Exams: There will be three one hour exams (one of which is a non-cumulative "final"), covering material from lectures, appropriate chapters in the textbook and videos. Each exam will deal with one particular aspect of the course and will contribute equally to the final grade. With the exception of the final exam, the exams are scheduled for regular class-room periods. Consequently, there will be no make-up exams. Not feeling like doing the exam, being inadequately prepared, or vacationing in Florida (or anywhere else for that matter!) are not appropriate reasons. Students with genuine problems or concerns should see me well in advance of the exams.
Study Project: You are required to undertake an independent study project. This will briefly describe an earthquake or a volcanic eruption occurring during the current Fall Semester (don't worry - they are bound to occur!). Your information can come from newspapers, magazines, TV news or programs (CNN is often good), the internet or any other innovative source. This report should be typed, clearly written, and no more than three pages in length including figures and maps. It must include such information as; (1) the source of your information; (2) where and when the event occurred; (3) what happened; (4) the geological significance or characteristics of the event and how it relates to your new found knowledge about earthquakes and volcanoes; (5) what were the hazards and damage involved; (6) the consequences and what was, or is, being done about it. Reports on earthquakes must be handed in no later than November 21st. Reports on volcanic eruptions are due no later than December 5th. The report will contribute 25% towards your final grade. This means that good quality reports can make a difference in a grade, or even between pass or fail. Do not e-mail your reports - I want paper copies!