Syllabus (G100)

Instructor: Dr. S. A. Isiorho       Office: SB236                          Phone:   (260) 481-6249
          E-mail:  Isiorho@ipfw.edu  
         Do not use this email for your assignments  (will not grade assignment sent to my regular email)   

Teaching Assistant: Ms Sundquist


1. Course Description:
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of
physical geology and introduction to structural geology.  During the course you
will study the earth materials, changes on the surface and interior of the earth, and
the dynamic forces that cause them to change. Students should be able to locate
physical features such as rivers, lakes or mountain chain given a blank world map
(you will not be tested on this material). You should be able to relate geology
to environemntal problems and natural hazards. What can we tell from rocks and why
do we have the different landscapes in USA and around the world? Can you tell what
minerals and rocks you see around you?
Why are the rocks where they are?
How were they formed and what use(s) if any, are the rocks?
Rocks tell stories!

The course is divided into four units...each unit has
a minimum of an assigment.  You can, and I encourage you
to work ahead ... you can always turn in your assignment
before the due date. No late assignment will be graded!
NO EXCUSE WILL BE ALLOWED

As an online class ... imagine I am somewhere in Australia ...
think about that the next time you try bringing your reports to me in person :)

NOTE: All  assignments must be "attached" to the "Assignments". Click on the assignment you
want to submit and click edit...you will have the option to download your assignment as an "Add Attachment"
and then press submit. You can always turn in your assignment long before the due date.
NOTE: MAKE SURE IT IS THE FILE YOU WANT TO SUBMIT AS YOU CANNOT UNDO IT.

Also, note that throughout this syllabus, any underlined blue colored
word is a link.... meaning, if you click on it, it will take you to another webpage (site)...for example....
Class Notes (Outlines).

Unconformity animation ...enjoy :)
An Interview with God...good geologic pictures

Plan ahead and manage your time well. You may need a minimum of two hours per week for this course. The Earthquake & Flood certificates assignments may take hours to complete!

        Textbook/Exams/Grading/Reports (Assignments)/Discussion Postings

Read the welcome letter from the TA...

          Class Notes (Outlines)     To help you in your reading ...these are my lecture outlines.

Students needing assistance with assignment or additional tutoring should contact the TA. Also, read the TA's letter to students.

The syllabus is a live object"
Will recommend you check BLACKBOARD open page weekly for updates as this is a living document.
This internet class starts Agust 23, 2010 and ends the WEEK of December 13, 2010.
       

Students are strongly advised to know the “Code of Student Rights, Responsibility, and Conduct” that can be found in the “Student handbook and planner that is published each fall semester” I expect students to read and understand the “Code” especially as it relates to Cheating, Plagiarizing, and Aiding and Abetting Others to Cheat or Plagiarize. Students caught cheating on exams/tests, projects or reports (plagiarizing) will receive a zero for that portion of the course.


"If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Contact the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Walb, room 113, telephone number 481-6658), as soon as possible to work out the details. Once the Director has provided you with a letter attesting to your needs for modification, bring the letter to me. For more information, please visit the web site for SSD at http://www.ipfw.edu/ssd/ "


Introduce yourself using your picture in the (Introduction) discussion thread within the first week for (no later than August 31, 2010) 1% of your course grade.

Power Point Slides
                          Student generated powerpoint Slides

                         
  Why Earth Science? Produced by Americal Geological Institute
2. Textbook:
Geology by Chernicoff & Whitney
I will encourage you to use all of the available resources . . .the text book, classnote (OUTLINES),
web note, CD-ROM, and the Power point Slides prepared by two former students.



3. Exams/Grading/Reports (Assignments)/Discussion Postings:
Four exams and it is strongly advised that you take all. The final exam will not be comprehensive, but, you are still responsible for knowing previous materials. There are drawings in the class notes (outlines) that may be useful in your tests.
Course grades will be based on the
1) Final exam (test #4) (20%),
2) any other two exams (40%),
[Exams count for 60% of your course grade]
3) Writting/Class Assignments (20%)...need to have a minimum of three references per report...(using the APA format...check with the writing center if in doubt about APA formating) except for the water report (no references needed for the water report),  see the units for the assignments (unit 1, one assignment; unit 2, one assignment; unit 3, two assignments; & unit 4, three assignments)
No Wikipedia citing will be accepted as a reference,
Note: ALL reports must be saved as  Portable Digital Format (PDF)
Your name must be part of your file name along with the report type. For example isiorhoaboutRptfilenameG100. Failure to follow this simple instrution would cost you points.
4) postings to the discussion board (10%) and
5) project....Ten (10) pictures (photographs) (no drawings/cartoons/illustrations) from the internet, magazines, newspapers, personal collections, related to the course worth 5% ...should be accompanied by two to four sentences description per picture...WOULD PREFER PICTURES TAKEN BY YOU...not compulsory (Due November 11, 2010, 4:00 p.m. through Blackboard Assignments drop box).
Save your pictures as JPEG or JIF (NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE THE SOURCE(S) OF YOUR PICTURES. POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED IF YOU DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOURCE(S))
6) One page double space report on any personal experience with water related problem (5%)

Exams (tests) are based on the honor system (No help allowed during exams). DO NOT DISCUSS THE QUESTIONS WHEN THE EXAMS ARE ON...NOT EVEN ON THE DISCUSSION BOARD...ANYONE DISCUSSING QUESTIONS WILL HAVE POINTS REMOVED FROM HIS/HER EXAM SCORES...it's an open book exam.

Writing/Class assignments (30% of final grades) are given in this syllabus and would suggest you do not wait until the last minute before working on them (Other assignments may be given during the regular semester).
All assignments should arrive in your Blackboard Assignments box  no later than 4:00 p.m. on their due dates. I will encourage you to turn in your assignments anytime before they are due...DO NOT USE MY REGULAR SCHOOL EMAIL...WILL NOT GRADE SUCH ASSIGNMENT.

ALL REPORTS MUST BE SENT THROUGH BLACKBOARD ASSIGNMENTS BOX.   ALSO, INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND REPORT TITLE IN YOUR REPORT and as part of your file name, EXAMPLE, IsiorhoaboutRpt... failure to have your name as part of your file name will cost you points

ABSOLUTELY, NO MAKE UP EXAM.

Discussion Postings***All students must participate in the online discussion using the discussion section in Blackboard (may read "New items available"  if there are new postings) (10% of final grades).
A minimum of two postings (not all in one day) (writings) per week is required for every student.  (The week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday (Only postings made between August 23 through November 20, 2010 will count for grade (4 weeks))... you can, however, post after November 20 for no credit). The discussion board should be used to post questions, answers, and other things that may be of interest to the class. The instructor may initiate a topic to which you may respond. AVOID repeating what some one else has written as Trival postings will not count.
 Look at existing threads before starting a new one. Any 'new' Thread will be deleted if it already exists.

Blackboard mail will be answered withing 48 hours of posting except those sent on Fridays, Saturdays & Sunday mornings.
IF NO RESPONSE WITHIN 48 HOURS, ASSUME YOUR MAIL WAS NOT RECEIVED.
Send  your mail through Blackboard if you have questions.
As an online class ... imagine I am somewhere in Australia ... have that at the back of your mind the next time you think of bringing your reports to me in person :)

(LEAVE MESSAGE IN MY VOICEMAIL IF THERE IS NO ANSWER)
(Grading scale 90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D) ...may add +/-



4. Schedule:


UNIT ONE

PreQuiz Aug 23 & 24, 2010
Practise Test Aug 23, 2010...practise test grade will not be applied to your course grade
Note the chapter titles may not correspond to the chapter titles in your textbook
Introduction to Physical Geology                                                                Chapter   1 

Atoms, Elements, and Minerals        (*)   very important chapter                       Chapter  2  

Igneous Rocks, Intrusive Activity, and the Origin of Igneous Rocks              Chapter   3

Volcanism and Extrusive Rocks                                                                  Chapter  4
 Learn about volcanoes of the world  VOLCANOES
 Stomboli Online: Volcanoes of the world

Assignment 1:   Write a one-page double space typed report on the
Effects of Volcanoes on the Environment (5% of course grade).
 
Must give a minimum of three references (Wilkepedia is not an acceptable reference), using APA format....failure to do so will result in lower grade

 Due Sept 7, 2010 in my Blackboard Assignment  box by 4 p.m.

Weathering: and Soil                                                                                  Chapter  5
Powerpoint Slide review
Classnotes for Unit 1

The End of the Earth? ABC News Jan. 22, 2003


Volcanic Ash  over Kodiak Island in Alaska               Space, Time, and Big ideas videos 5 short videos

What on earth made this?

Exam I    Sept 14 & 15, 2010
(available from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
                       
Exam will be seventy (70) minutes long.


UNIT TWO


Note the chapter titles may not correspond exactly to the chapter titles in your textbook
Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks                                                            Chapter   6
    Sed. rock type and depositional environments

Metamorphism, Metamorphic Rocks, and Hydrothermal Rocks                   Chapter   7

Assignment 2:  Check out this site (Geogarden Tour)  and write a one-page double space typed report (5% of course grade) on any two specific rocks (not rock groups) from the geogarden...  Your report should include 1) specific rock name,  2) mineral composition,  3) why you chose the rocks, and 4)  and uses... (include minimum of three references, using APA format) due October 1, 2010 by 4:00 p.m.

  Geologic Time  Scale                                                                               Chapter   8
    Age of Earth links       Geologic Time Scale
Link to a geologc time scale class note by Dr. John C. Butler
Shores and Coastal Processes              (My Hawaii Video One)                    Chapter    19
Links to slides  of  coastal  features......

Review Slides for Test #2

Classnotes for Unit 2

  Exam II: October 7 & 8, 2010 (available from from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Exam will be seventy (70) minutes long. 


UNIT THREE

Note the chapter titles may not correspond exactly to the chapter titles in your textbook
Geologic Structure    (Folds, Faults, and Joints)                                  Chapter   9

Earthquakes                                                                                     Chapter   10 
Assignment 3:  
Write a one-page double space report on effects of Earthquake on humans (5% of course grade) (must give a minimum of 3 references, using APA format)
Due October 14, 2010 by 4:00 p.m.

Assignment 4:
(Virtual EQ) Check out this site and complete the assignment and turn in your certificate of completion (visit Virtual EQ site and do the assignment and at the end you will be awarded a certificate ...your name should be on the certificate (5% of course grade)).   SAVE THE CERTIFICATE AS A SEPARATE FILE FIRST BEFORE ATTACHING IT TO YOUR ASSINMENT BOX IN BLACKBOARD (Note: Right click on the certificate to save it as JIF, JPEG or BMP and drop it in the assignment dropbox it as an attachment).

Due October 21, 2010 by 4:00 p.m.
 

The Earth's Interior                                                                          Chapter  11

Plate Tectonics                                                                                Chapter  12
Plate Tectonics         Plate tectonics animations

Mass Wasting                                                                                  Chapter  14
Classnotes for Unit 3

                                    Plate tectonics animations



  Exam III: November 4 & 5, 2010   (available from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Exam will be seventy (70) minutes long.
UNIT FOUR

Note the chapter titles may not correspond exactly to the chapter titles in your textbook
Streams / Rivers and Floods                                                                    Chapter     15
  Hurricane Floyd           New Orleans Floods (Aerial photos)        Great Britain Flood        Nile Flood
          NAmerica drought           Drought

River meander video (by Prof. Isiorho)....  description by Prof. Farlow

Assignment 5:
BONUS & Optional Start early on this assignment as it may take you a couple hours. Do the river flood assignment and turn in your certificate (your name must be on the certificate...right click on the certificate to save it as jif, jpeg or bmp, and download it and put it in your Blackboard ASSIGMENT DROP BOX) of completion (5%)  Due November 30 , 2010 by 4:00 p.m.

Groundwater                                                                                            Chapter   16

       Lake Chad Drought        USGS Water Science for Schools

Fun Groundwater video ... I think 
        
USGS Groundwater site

Assignment 6: Ten PICTURES (photos) (no drawings/illustrations/cartoons) related to the course with sources due through WebCT Blackboard assignment dropboxl by 4:00 p.m November 11, 2010 (will prefer pictures taken by you). This is worth 5% of your course grade. Have one to three-sentence description for each photograh, and also provide the source(s) (using APA format if you are not using your own personal pictures) of your photographs.
3-D pictures of National Parks.... DO NOT GET YOUR PICTURES FROM THIS WEBSITE

Assignment 7: Write a one page double space report on any water related issue you were involved in. Due  November 18, 2010 by 4 p.m.  (5% of course grade)
(No excuses, because we are all affected by water. It could be about water quality, swimming experience, well water, droughts, hurricanes, floods (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, March 2009), etc. that you were involved in (first hand knowledge). No reference needed for this last report. 

Glaciers and Glaciation                                                                             Chapter     17

Deserts and Wind Action  (Sahara)                                                            Chapter      18
Classnotes for Unit 4
USGS Surface runoff
Water UMAC



Post Quiz 6:00 a.m. December  2-3, 2010  to  6:00 p.m.
Survey  (nto available for the Fall semester)  

Exam IV   6:00 a.m. December 13  through  6:00 p.m. June 14, 2010
Exam will be seventy (70) minutes long.    
              BeginSyllabus                 TEXTBook/Exams               Unit  I                 Unit II                  Unit III           Unit IV



Isiorho's Homepage                   Geoscience page                   E mail: Isiorho  (Do not use this for class assignment)                 IPFW Homepage