COURSE SYLLABUS
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
GEOL 1304 – Historical Geology
Catalog Description of Course: The geologic history of the Earth and its
inhabitants as revealed by fossil record with emphasis on North America. Lec 3,
Cr 3. Co-requisite: GEOL 1104.
Course Rationale: This
is a course in the 48-hour Core Curriculum of UTB/TSC. As such, students will
develop proficiency in appropriate intellectual competencies, exemplary
educational objectives and general perspectives.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student will have
an overall average of >60% of the combined lecture assessments and
assignments of the course. This includes at least 3 major exams and quizzes
given at the discretion of the professor.
1.
Explain topics used
to the study of Earth history (plate tectonics, rock cycle)
2.
Describe the formation, classification and interpretation of
sedimentary rocks
3.
Apply relative and absolute dating principles to the study of
rock sequences
4.
Following the Wilson Cycle model, explain how tectonic events
influence the nature and timing of sedimentary rock deposition
5.
Use evolutionary theory to interpret the rock and fossil
record
6.
Describe the changes in the fossil record over time including
the dominate flora and fauna for each era of the Earth's history
7.
Compare the causes and effects of the major mass extinction
events in the Earth's history
Course Evaluation of Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
POINTS DISTRIBUTION
|
Lecture Exams (best 3 out of 4): |
300 points |
585-650 points = A |
|
Quizzes (average): |
100 points |
520-584 points = B |
|
Assignments (average): |
100 points |
455-519 points = C |
|
Final Exam: |
150 points |
390-454 points = D |
|
Total: |
650 points |
below 389 points = F |
Quizzes will be unannounced. The lowest quiz grade will be
dropped from calculations.
The Lecture Exams and Final Exam will include
multiple-choice questions. Please bring a green Scantron and a #2 pencil to
these exams.
The best 3 (of 4) exam grades will be used in grade
calculations.
Disabilities Statement: Students with disabilities, who wish to request academic adjustments in
this class should notify the Disability Services Office early in the semester
so that the appropriate accommodations can be made. In accordance with federal
law, a student requesting academic adjustments must provide documentation of
his/her disability to the Disability Services Counselor. For more information,
call or visit the Counseling Center at Tandy 205 (956-882-8292).
Statement on Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to be above reproach in all
scholastic activities. Students who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject
to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in
the course and dismissal from UTB/TSC.
"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating,
plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that
are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination
for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or
the attempt to commit such acts." Regents' Rules and Regulations, Part
One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22. Since scholastic
dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of UTB/TSC,
policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
PROFESSOR INFORMATION
Contact Information : Dr. Elizabeth Heise, Assistant Professor
Chemistry
and Environmental Sciences
M0
1.108
MW
9-11:30 am
956-882-6769
office
956-882-6691
dept. office
956-882-6692
fax
elizabeth.heise@utb.edu
COURSE OUTLINE, RELATED MATERIALS, AND ASSESSMENT
Course Outline: SETB 2.508 MW 12:15-1:30 pm
CHAPTER 1 Earth as a System
CHAPTER 2 Rock-Forming Minerals and Rocks
CHAPTER 8 The Theory of Plate Tectonics
CHAPTER 9 Continental Tectonics and Mountain
Chains
CHAPTER 5 Sedimentary Environments
CHAPTER 6 Correlation and Dating of the Rock Record
EXAM 1
CHAPTER 10 Major Chemical Cycles
CHAPTER 11 The Archean Eon of Precambrian Time
CHAPTER 12 The Proterozoic Eon of Precambrian Time
CHAPTER 3 The Diversity of Life
CHAPTER 4 Environments and Life
CHAPTER 7 Evolution and the Fossil Record
EXAM 2
CHAPTER 13 The Early Paleozoic World
CHAPTER 14 The Middle Paleozoic World
CHAPTER 15 The Late Paleozoic World
CHAPTER 16 The Early Mesozoic Era
CHAPTER 17 The Cretaceous World
EXAM 3
CHAPTER 18 The Paleogene World
CHAPTER 19 The Neogene World
EXAM 4
CHAPTER 20 The Holocene
FINAL EXAM -- Friday, May 5,
2006, 2 - 4:30 PM.
Textbook
Information:
Earth System History
by Steven Stanley
W. H. Freeman Publishing
2nd Edition
ISBN: 0-7167-3907-0
Suggested References/Resources
Publisher web page http://bcs.whfreeman.com/esh2e/
Exam Policies:
Exams begin promptly at the beginning of each assigned class period. No exams
will be issued once the first student has left the classroom upon completion of
their exam. Failure to take the exam will result in a grade of zero.
Make-up exams may
be permitted under mitigating circumstances, with the consent of the
instructor. Arrangements for a make-up must be made prior to the
official commencement of the exam in question.
Final Exam:
The final exam will begin promptly per printed UTB/TSC course schedule. No
final exam will be issued once the first student has left the classroom upon completion of their exam.
Failure to take the final exam will result in the grade of zero. The final for
this course will be on Friday, December 11, 2007, 11 AM - 1:30 PM.
DO NOT
BE LATE FOR THE FINAL!!
Assignments:
There will be no make ups for graded assignments. If you have an excused
absence on the day of a graded assignment then this grade will not be used in
the calculation of your overall grade and the total number of possible points
will be adjusted. No late work will be accepted.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
Class Participation: There
will be class discussions during every lecture. Participation is encouraged.
Try to ask questions and answer questions that are posed to the class.
Attendance Policy: Attendance
will not be taken; however, you are responsible for all material covered in
class. Students who attend class regularly do much better than those who have
frequent absences. Please try to attend every lecture. Bring your
text book to lecture it will be a handy reference for in class exercises.
Important Dates:
|
Last Day to drop without a grade |
September 12 |
|
Last day to withdraw without a grade (but with a ÒWÓ) |
October 29 |
|
Final Exam Date and Time for this Class |
Friday, December 11, 2007, 11 AM - 1:30 PM. |
Incomplete Grade Policy: The professor will agree to award an Incomplete grade in cases where
the majority of coursework has been competed and the student is passing the
course. Students who wish to discuss an Incomplete grade must contact the
professor prior to the final exam. They must provide a legitimate reason why
they cannot complete the coursework during the semester. The student must agree
to and sign an Incomplete Grade Form. They will commit to completing the coursework
by a date during the next long semester.
Use of Electronic Equipment in Class: Please set cell phones and other electronic devices
on silent during class.