Geology 101 - THE EARTH

Class Schedule: The detailed class schedule is on the web site. The class schedule is subject to changes. The dates of the hour examinations are fixed so that the material covered on these exams will be adjusted accordingly.

Important Dates:

Day	Date	Subject/Material/Pages	Chapter
Tu	16-Sep	(Last add/drop w/o record)	---
F	26-Sep	FIRST EXAM	Ch 1-5
W	22-Oct	SECOND EXAM	Ch 6- 8 Part Ch 15
Sat	25-Oct	*All day field trip to the Berkshires.* Every student must go on this trip either on this date or Sunday, Nov 9th	---
Sun	9-Nov	*All day field trip to the Berkshires*. Every student must go on this trip either on this date or Saturday, Oct25th	---
M	17-Nov	THIRD EXAM	Ch 9-13
F	12-Dec	FOURTH EXAM	Ch 14-16

Monday, Dec 15 to Saturday, Dec 20 is FINAL EXAM week.

Each hour exam (including the fourth) treats a new block of material but will have a few questions repeated from earlier exams. The final exam, which is scheduled during the Final Exam period, will cover all course material assigned and discussed.

Berkshire Field Trip: The required one-day field trip will show the splendors of a cross section across the Berkshire Mountains, which are one of the world's major mountain belts. The report on the Berkshire field trip is an answer sheet you fill in during the trip, and turn in at the end of the field trip.

Course grade:

Best 3 of 4 Hourly Exams (each worth 15%): 50%

2-hour Cumulative Final Exam (mandatory) 20%

In-Class Exercises and Quizzes 20%

Berkshire Field Trip and Report 10%

Total 100%

Extra Credit - Four page double-spaced book review, due last day of classes 5%

ABOUT THE EXAMS: Our exams will be pyramid type in nature, and will consist of 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 multiple choice or short answer questions on the content from the entire semester.

Make-up exams will only be permitted for unavoidable and unusual circumstances. One make-up exam time period is scheduled for 10 -11am on Saturday December 13 (first day of reading period). Make-up exams will be short answer and not pyramid style. If granted a make-up exam by the instructor, you may only make-up your first missed exam.

ABOUT CLASS MEETINGS: This course is an introduction to the processes that result in the materials, structure and evolution of the earth. Attendance in class is expected and probably essential. Exams will stress concepts developed in class meetings. NOTE THAT THE CLASS WILL NOT COVER ALL MATERIAL ASSIGNED IN EACH DAY'S READING (pages are listed daily by class period on the web site). YOU ARE EXPECTED TO UNCOVER THE MATERIAL ASSIGNED IN THE SYLLABUS YOURSELF. Classes will often take the assigned material and consider how it relates to geologic problems, many of which will be included on the exams.

A note about how to study for this course:

Geology, like any physical science, has a vocabulary all its own, but because it is a composite discipline, it also utilizes a background in biology, chemistry and physics. Because of this, geology often requires repeated reading to grasp many of its concepts. I recommend that you: 1) Read the assignments listed before the topic is covered in class (SEE NOTE ABOVE). If you do this, you'll know what's in the book, and what is discussed in class, and won't have to get bogged down with extensive note-taking. You'll also be better able to ask questions and participate in class. 2) Read 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) Drag your friends in with yourself to see me, or come yourself during my office hours if things need discussing, or you want to know more about some topic.

GEO 131: Experiencing Geology

Labs of Geo 131 are coordinated with the lectures of Geo101 insofar as feasible.

First Lab begins Monday, Sept. 8th

Tentative Order of Labs:

1 Minerals

2 Igneous Rock

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

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

NOTE FIELD TRIPS CANNOT RUN DURING THE TUESDAY NIGHT LAB SECTION. That evening lab section will take the four field trips on two Saturdays tentatively set for Oct. 18 and Nov 15. (two labs each Saturday). If you cannot make these dates, you must transfer to another lab section.

There is no scheduled make-up lab for field trips. If you miss a field trip lab during your assigned period, it is your responsibility to attend another lab and coordinate the work done with your Lab instructor.

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. Locate her/his office in the department as soon as possible and know the office hours, whether or not you have problems.

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

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

Day

Chapter

THIRD EXAM

Berkshire Field Trip and Report 10%