BRISTOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

New Bedford, MA

GLG 16: Introduction to Physical Geology (4 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Benjamin Felzer

Day and time: Tuesday 4:00 ? 6:40 (lecture), 7:00-8:50 (lab)

Office Hours: available before and after class or by appointment

Phone: 508-289-7748

Email: bfelzer@mbl.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the study of the Earth as a dynamic, changing planet.  The course considers the structure of the Earth, properties of the materials that compose it, the nature of the landscape and processes that have contributed to its development.  Also covered are the concept of geologic time, the interpretation of Earth?s history, and current problems and recent advances in geology (including the theory of plate tectonics).   Students must be able to visualize sequences of events as they occur in space and time.  Three class hours and two laboratory hours a week.

Prerequisite: One year of lab science in high school or one semester of college lab science.

Fees: Instructional Support Fee applies

TEXTS AND MATERIALS:

·   Earth Science (Eleventh Edition) ? Tarbuck and Lutgens

·   Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (Fifth Edition) ? Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Pinzke

OBJECTIVES:

·   Display basic knowledge and comprehension about geology and the earth sciences

·   Interpret geologic sequences though space and time

·   Understand local geologic environment

·   Know current issues in geology and the earth sciences

·   Develop critical thinking skills

CLASS FORMAT

The lecture period will consist of two lectures broken up by a discussion of the material or homework, along with a short break.  Periodic homework assignments will help reinforce the material learned in class and from the texts.  These assignments will include external reading material to foster discussion and keep the students aware of cutting-edge issues as well as computer exercises to develop skills in analyzing and visualizing data.  Labs will enable students to go beyond theory and gain hands-on exposure to geological concepts.

SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

(subject to change with one week?s notice)

Week  Topics (Reading)                                                                    Lab     

1 (9/4)             Introduction/ Earth?s History and Dating (Ch. 1/11/12)                                                                                                                                      Geologic Ages

2 (9/11)            Minerals (Ch. 2)                                                           Minerals

3 (9/18)            Igneous Rocks and Volcanoes (Ch. 3/9)                       Rocks, part 1

4 (9/25)            Sedimentary & Metamorphic Rocks (Ch. 3)                Rocks, part 2

5 (10/2)            Weathering, Soils, and Mass Wasting (Ch. 4)    Stratigraphy

6 (10/9)            Field Trip (TBD) or Special Topic

7 (10/16)          The Earth?s Interior and Earthquakes (Ch. 7)                Earthquakes

8 (10/23)          Plate Tectonics (Ch. 8, 9)                                             Geologic Maps

9 (10/30)          Structural Geology: folds and faults (Ch. 10)                  Topographic Maps     

10 (11/6)          Rivers and Groundwater (Ch. 5)                                   Hydrology

11 (11/13)        Ocean Floor (Ch. 13)                                                   Sea Floor

12 (11/20)        Coastal Geology (Ch. 15)                                             Waves, Currents,Tides

13 (11/27)        Glacial and Eolian Processes (Ch. 6)                             Glaciers and Deserts

14 (12/4)          Paleoclimatology (external)                                           Earth-Sun

15 (12/11)        Climate Change and Global Warming (Ch. 20, ext.) and Review

16                    Final Exam

Exams:

Quiz 1: Week 5

Quiz 2: Week 9

Quiz 3: Week 13

Final Exam: Week 15

Plus Labs and Homeworks

GRADING:

Homeworks     15%

3 Quizzes         30%

13 Labs             30%

Final Exam       25%

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance in class is crucial to successful completion of this course.  One absence is allowed.  Please leave a message in my voice mailbox or e-mail me that you will be absent.  Students who miss class are responsible for making up all work.  Because sessions meet only once a week, more than one absence can result in withdrawal of the student from the class.