Physical Geology 51-102 Lecture: Fall 2009 (4 credits)

Section: B09C

Class Schedule: Lectures: MWF 1:50-2:50 PM, Halsey 109. See Laboratory Schedule here.

Office hours: 10:30-11:30 M & W; 3:15-4:00 M & W, and by appointment or chance.

Important Dates: 9/15/09 = Last day to add without instructor signature; 10/23 = last day to drop without late drop request or withdraw; Thanksgiving Break = November 24-30; Semester end = December 18; Graduation December. 19.

Grades: Your course grade will be based on four lecture exams (60%), your lab grade (30%), and in-class exercises** (10%). Note: you must attend the lab to pass the course, and you must pass the laboratory portion of the course to receive a passing grade in the overall course.

**In-Class exercises will include written answers to questions, and interpretive sketches based on photos shown to the class.

Grade scale: 93% and up = A; 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 69-72 =C-; 66-68 = D+; 63-65 = D; 60-62 = D-; <60% = F

Exams: The lecture exams will be weighted equally, can cover material from lab, and will be in an objective multiple-choice format. Bring a #2 pencil and YOUR STUDENT I. D. to each exam.

Attendance: The material on the exams will come from the lecture and lab so attendance in both is required if you wish to do well in the course. Please feel free to ask questions at any time, including during lecture; however, disruptive behavior, including talking during lecture & text messaging, is not acceptable and will result in a lower course grade. If you have a valid excuse and must miss an exam, contact me BEFORE the exam date. If you have a valid excuse, you may take a makeup exam.

Special Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities. Please contact Disability Services (424-3100 (voice) or 424-1319 (TTY)) or visit their web site at http://www.uwosh.edu/dean/disabilities.htm for the University’s accommodation request form and documentation requirements. Information related to an individual’s accommodation request will be kept confidential.

Academic Integrity: The Wisconsin Administrative Code states: “Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others academic endeavors.” (§ UWS 14.01) Plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct are serious offenses with severe penalties. See the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Discipline Code for definitions of academic misconduct and details about procedures, sanctions, and other relevant information. Specific questions about the provisions in the Student Discipline Code should be directed to the Dean of Students Office. If you do not understand this statement, please see me as soon as possible.

Course Objectives: This Physical Geology course is designed to give you an understanding of how the Earth works. Topics that we will discuss include: what causes earthquakes, how old is the Earth and how we know this, how has the Earth evolved into the world that we see, and the nature, limitations, and benefits associated with extracting natural resources, such as petroleum. For all of these reasons, study of Physical Geology is part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. It is your responsibility as an educated member of a democracy to have a basic understanding of how the world works in geologic terms, as well as an understanding of social, political, and societal aspects of the natural resources.

Physical Geology Lecture Schedule: Fall 2009

Important Dates:
Last day to drop without Late Drop Appeal: October 23.
Thanksgiving Break: November 24-30.
Last Exam: Wednesday, December 16.
Last day of classes: December 18.
Graduation: December 19.