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Transcript
COURSE SYLLABUS American University of Beirut Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Geology GEOL 201 (Physical Geology) Instructor: Joanna Doummar Office #: 4165 Post Hall, Room # 201C “The present is the key to the past” (Charles Lyell, 1830) 1. Course outline This course is designed to provide the basic principles, and fundamental concepts of the various aspects of geological sciences. Emphasis will be on the internal structure of the Earth, properties of minerals, mineral groups, formation and behaviour of earth materials, description, classification, and mode of formation of the igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock groups, surface processes, geological structures, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Attendance and a one-day field trip (held usually on a Saturday) are an important part of this course and bear 20% of the final grade.The field trip gives the students an opportunity to identify the different rocks and structures and processes learnt in class, and therefore help the students gain a real world experience in geology. 2. Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, students will be able to comprehend the Earth as a dynamic planet and to appreciate the significance of geology as a science to living beings. The students will also value the evidence and logic used by geologists to deal with our mother Earth. Moreover, the students will be able to: • Describe the various layers forming the interior of the Earth. • Explain the theory of plate tectonics and relate it to the major features of the Earth’s surface. • Identify common minerals and rocks and explain how they are formed. • Compare and contrast igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and relate the different rock types using the rock cycle. • Relate major rock deformation features to the geologic processes that cause them. • Describe the geologic features and processes that modify the earth's surface (i.e. weathering, mass wasting, streams, glaciers, deserts, groundwater, and shoreline systems). In particular, we will consider how these various geologic processes are directly and indirectly affecting our lives. • Establish connections between geology and environmental and physical sciences. Last updated 23/11/12 1 3. Resources Available to Students 1. Understanding Earth, 6th Edition, by Grotzinger and Jordan (2010) 2. The dynamic earth (Second edition), by skinner & Porter (1992) 3. Earth, by Press & Siever (1986) 4. Physical Geology, by Plummer & McGeary (1992) 5. Earth: Then and Now, by Montgomery & Dathe (1991) 7. Physical Geology, by Montgomery (1993) 4. Schedule: Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Topic The Earth in the Solar System Earth Materials: Minerals and Rocks Plate Tectonics Igneous Rocks; Composition and Classification Volcanoes Sediments & Sedimentary Rocks Weathering & Soils Mass Wasting & Landslides Metamorphism & Metamorphic Rocks Deformation of rocks (Geological Structures) The Hydrologic Cycle & hydrology (Rivers and Streams) Hydrogeology (Groundwater) Glaciers & Glaciation- Wind & Deserts Earthquakes Geology & Time 5. Grading Criteria Quiz I Quiz II Field trip and report Participation and attendance Final exam (cumulative) 15% 15% 10% 10% 50% 6. Course Policy 1. There will be no makeup exams for any student who misses a quiz or a final exam without obtaining the permission of the instructor, which may be granted only in most exceptional circumstances, before (not after) the exam. 2. Any student who misses more than one-sixth of the class sessions without providing a valid excuse will be directly asked to withdraw from the course. 3. Cell phones and electronic devices (laptops etc…) are not allowed during class time and exams. Last updated 23/11/12 2