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Coconino Community College
Spring 2016 Course Syllabus
GLG 105 Sec. 1
Tues. & Thurs.
2:30 – 5:00pm
Instructor : Kevin Mullins
Voicemail : 226-4319
E-mail: [email protected]
Office hours: by appointment only LT room 444
1. GLG 105 : Introduction to Planetary Science and lab
A survey of Solar System objects and their geologic evolution, surfaces,
interiors and atmospheres, and the methods used to study them; weekly
laboratory for data analysis and experiments; includes a field trip(s). Three
lecture; three lab.
2. Text and materials :
The Cambridge Guide to the Solar System, Lang, Kenneth R., 2nd Ed.,
Cambridge University Press, 2011. Lab manual will be provided by the
instructor. ISBN : 978-0-521-19857-8
3. Course goals:
Students will explore the fundamentals of our place in our Universe. They
will develop knowledge of the objects of our Solar System, their geologic
evolution, planetary processes, surfaces, interior structures and atmospheres.
The students will also learn about the Remote Sensing methods used to
study the objects of our Solar System and how such data is analyzed in a
laboratory setting. Instructors are encouraged to arrange at least 1 weekend
field experience.
4. Course outcomes/Competencies :
Students will :
1. describe the application of the scientific method and other critical thinking
models to planetary objects and their exploration, as well as current
technological limitations on space exploration.
2. describe the past, present and future ideas as they apply to exploration of Solar
System.
3. describe the use of planetary data, remote sensing, and image processing in the
geologic exploration of the Solar System.
4. analyze data returned from spacecraft instruments and apply the results to the
analysis of planets, satellites and asteroids.
5. compare and contrast the chemical composition and physical processes of the
major bodies of our SS with those of the Earth.
6. describe the compositional evolution of the planets with increasing distance
from the Sun.
7. describe impact cratering, tectonic processes, volcanic processes and gradation
of the major Solar System bodies.
8. describe the physiographic and tectonic features of the Moon and understand
its relationships with the Earth as a system.
9. analyze lunar samples for geological information about the Moon and the Solar
System
10. describe the appearance and significance of asteroids and comets
11. analyze geologic data from the Outer Solar System planets.
12. describe the geologic processes and the geomorphology of the satellites of the
Outer Solar System planets.
13. learn the historical significance of rocket science and planetary missions by a
variety of countries and organizations.
5. Course content :
I.
II.
III.
Introduction
a. Scales and Deep Time
b. Celestial objects in the universe
c. Remote sensing and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
d. Our Solar System – an overview
e. The Sun
f. Planetary characteristics
g. Orbital characteristics
h. The geologic approach
i. Geomorphology and Earth analogs
j. Sources of data
Geologic exploration of the Solar System
a. General planetary characteristics
a. Pre-space-age planetary studies
b. Lunar and planetary missions
c. Planetary images
d. Digital image processing
e. Planetary cartography
Planetary morphologic processes
a. Impact cratering
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
b. Tectonic processes
c. Volcanic processes
d. Degradation
The Earth – Moon System
a. General physiography
b. Tectonic features
c. Craters
d. Degradational features
e. History of the Moon
f. Lunar phases and cycles
g. Lunar influence on Earth
Mercury
a. Physiography
b. Craters and basins
c. Scarps and ridges
d. The Caloris basin
e. Volcanism
f. Geologic history
Venus
a. Radar data for Venus
b. Physiography
c. Craters
d. Tectonic features
e. Volcanic features
f. Surface modifications
g. Geologic history
Mars
a. Phobos and Dimos
b. Physiography
c. Craters
d. Volcanism
e. Tectonism
f. Hydrology
g. Degradation
h. Geologic history
i. Mars Global Surveyor Mission
j. Other future planned missions
Asteroids
a. Classification and composition
b. Surface features
c. The NEAR mission
d. Asteroid impacts on the earth
The Jovian system
a. Jupiter the planet
b. Io
c. Europa
X.
XI.
XII.
d. Ganymede
e. Callisto
f. The Galileo mission
The Saturnian system
a. Saturn the planet
b. geomorphology of the satellites
c. geologic processes
d. the Cassini mission
The Uranian system
a. Uranus the planet
b. Rings
c. Satellites
d. Geologic processes
The Neptunian system and beyond
a. Neptune the planet
b. Rings
c. Satellites
d. Triton
e. Pluto and Charon
f. Finding new planets (TOPS)
6. Grading :
A – 100-90% of highest class score (full knowledge of subject matter)
B – 89-80% of above (above average knowledge of subject matter)
C – 79-70% of above (general knowledge of subject matter)
D – 69-60% of above (poor knowledge of subject matter)
Points – Total 800
Lecture exams (2) 100 pts. each
Lab exercises (6) ~50 pts. each
Term Paper (1) 150 pts.
Final exam 150 pts.
*Students are expected to meet all due dates
**Read the College Statements page regarding final exam policies
***I keep a current grade spreadsheet for each student. You can ask to see
it any time. It will show you in percentage where you stand in the class i.e.
(number of pts received / number of pts possible) * 100. You can also see
your grades and assignments in CANVAS.
7. Attendance :
CCC has implemented mandatory weekly attendance monitoring to insure that students who are
not attending classes do not retain their financial aid or loan disbursements. It is your
responsibility to ensure you understand and follow this policy.
Instructors will be taking attendance each week. If you fail to attend classes, or fail to log-in by
the identified date and do the work in your on-line classes, your instructor will count you as
absent, and you will be dropped from your classes. If you are a Financial Aid student and
exceed the number of absences for a class, the Financial Aid office will be required to reduce
and/or revoke financial aid due to non-attendance, and you will owe money back. You may
also be suspended from receiving Financial Aid in future semesters for failure to attend your
classes this semester. It is especially important that financial aid students attend all classes so
that this does not happen. Regardless of whether or not you are a Financial Aid student, if you
are going to be absent from a class, you need to inform your instructor that you will not be
there so that there is no confusion that could lead to your being dropped from class and/or
your financial aid being reduced or canceled.
What this all means :
1) Absent 1st week of class – Instructor must drop student w/code of NS (No
Show) : FA will be stopped, 2) End of 2nd week of class and each week
thereafter – instructor can issue a code of ID (Instructor Drop) for non-attending
or non-participating students : FA will be stopped, 3) Feb. 25, 2015 – Last day
for student initiated W (Withdrawal) before final grades are given.
A student with 6 unexcused absences can be dropped from the course.
Excused absences are those that are reported to the instructor by the student
before the class time missed. Instructor can determine validity of excuse before
issuing an Excused/Unexcused absence. Failure to attend an exam without prior
notice of absence to instructor will result in an “F”. Make-up exams will only be
given if prior notice is given to the instructor. No make-ups will be given for
the final exam.
8. Cheating :
If a student is caught cheating on exams or assignments an “F” will be assigned
for that exam or assignment, and he/she may receive and “F” for the class.
Plagiarism is considered cheating.
9. Other Pertinent Information :
I expect students in classes to be respectful toward their colleagues and myself. I
will always be so to every student. College is a place for expressing, learning
and examining new ideas, concepts and philosophies. It is also a place where
everyone should expect to learn and offer opinions in a safe and open
environment. Respect for others includes : showing up on time, showing up
prepared, participating actively in the classroom environment, turning off your
cell phone or pager, not interrupting or intimidating other students, not being
disruptive to a learning environment. Students are also expected to adhere to the
Student Code of Conduct (see Procedure 503 online).
Don’t ever hesitate to contact me for any reason throughout the semester.
College closures will be posted on our home page, on our phone line and through
your student e-mail system. Make sure you use and check your student e-mail
for all official correspondence with the instructor and school.
I strongly suggest that you read the Academic Procedures section in the College
Catalog.
10. Policies:
The instructor reserves the right to make additions, deletions, and/or
modifications to the syllabus and course requirements with reasonable
notification to the students enrolled.
This material may be made available in an alternative format upon request
by contacting the Disability Resources Office at (928) 226-4243 or 1-800350-7122 (toll free in Arizona).
Should the student enrolled in the course require a special accommodation
due to a disability in order to complete the requirements for the course,
contact the Disability Resources Office at the numbers above.
Coconino Community College is a committed drug free environment.
This material may be made available in an alternative format upon request by contacting
Disability Resources Department at (928) 226-4323 or 1-800-350-7122 ext. 4323 (toll-free).