Download Geol 201 - American University of Beirut

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
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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
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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
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