Download Experimental Course Page 1 8/9/2004 LEHMAN COLLEGE OF THE

Experimental Course
LEHMAN COLLEGE
OF THE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL, GEOGRAPHIC AND GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CURRICULUM CHANGE
1. Type of change: Experimental Course
2. Course Description:
GEO 245 Earth Materials 5 hours (3 lecture; 2 lab), 4 credits
Presentation of the fundamentals of mineralogy and petrology (igneous, metamorphic,
sedimentary) with a focus on common rock-forming minerals, crystal structure, mineral
and rock identification, soil, and water within the context of biogeochemical cycles.
PREREQ: GEO 167 or 166 or 101.
3. Rationale:
This course incorporates key aspects of mineralogy, crystal structure and identification of
rock-forming minerals in hand sample, with petrology of predominant igneous,
metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in relation to their tectonic environment. Also
considered are other Earth materials such as soil and water. Correlative learning about
rock-forming minerals, petrology within the context of biogeochemical cycles (tectonic,
rock, and hydrologic) is in keeping with recent conceptual shifts towards Earth systems
science which views the planet in terms of interrelated spheres linked by dynamic
processes. It is designed to replace GEO 244 Mineralogy as a required course in the
Geology Major and Geology Minor. GEO 244 Mineralogy is a 6-hour, laboratory
focused course emphasizing crystallographic and microscopic determinative mineralogy
best suited for students preparing for graduate study and careers in fields associated with
mineralogy or petrography. Our current facilities do not allow us to offer this course but
we hope to be able to do so once we have relocated to the new science facility. GEO 245
will provide a broader foundation for students preparing for geoscience careers.
4. Academic Objectives and Justification for the Course:
It is expected that students will master the fundamentals of mineralogy:
• Chemical composition and crystal structure of major rock-forming minerals
• Identification of major rock forming minerals in hand sample
It is expected that students will master fundamentals of petrology:
• Composition of predominant igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
• Identification of predominant igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
It is expected that student will gain an understanding of the interaction of the rock,
hydrologic, and tectonic cycle.
5. Syllabus/Sample Text:
I. Minerals
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A. Mineral Characteristics: Composition & Crystal Structure
B. Mineral Properties
II. Common Minerals in Earth’s Crust:
A. Silicates
B. Carbonates, Phosphates, and Sulfates
C. Ore Minerals
III. Minerals and Plate Tectonics
IV. Petrography
A. Igneous
B. Metamorphic
C. Sedimentary
V. Biogeochemical Cycles
A. Tectonic
B. Rock
C. Water
Texts under consideration:
Mineralogy, 2nd Edition: Dexter Perkins
Petrology: The Study of Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic Rocks: Raymond
6. Effect on Curriculum Offering Outside of the Departments:
None.
7. Faculty:
This course will be taught by faculty members currently in the department.
8. Estimated Enrollment and Frequency:
Estimated enrollment is 15-20. This course will be offered once every year.
9. Date of Departmental Approval:
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8/9/2004
Experimental Course
LEHMAN COLLEGE
OF THE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL, GEOGRAPHIC AND GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CURRICULUM CHANGE
1. Type of change: New Course
2. Course Description:
GEO 245 Earth Materials 5 hours (3 lecture; 2 lab), 4 credits
Presentation of the fundamentals of mineralogy and petrology (igneous, metamorphic,
sedimentary) with a focus on common rock-forming minerals, crystal structure, mineral
and rock identification, soil, and water within the context of biogeochemical cycles.
PREREQ: GEO 167 or 166 or 101.
3. Rationale:
This course incorporates key aspects of mineralogy, crystal structure and identification of
rock-forming minerals in hand sample, with petrology of predominant igneous,
metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in relation to their tectonic environment. Also
considered are other Earth materials such as soil and water. Correlative learning about
rock-forming minerals, petrology within the context of biogeochemical cycles (tectonic,
rock, and hydrologic) is in keeping with recent conceptual shifts towards Earth systems
science which views the planet in terms of interrelated spheres linked by dynamic
processes. It is designed to replace GEO 244 Mineralogy as a required course in the
Geology Major and Geology Minor. GEO 244 Mineralogy is a 6-hour, laboratory
focused course emphasizing crystallographic and microscopic determinative mineralogy
best suited for students preparing for graduate study and careers in fields associated with
mineralogy or petrography. Our current facilities do not allow us to offer this course but
we hope to be able to do so once we have relocated to the new science facility. GEO 245
will provide a broader foundation for students preparing for geoscience careers.
4. Academic Objectives and Justification for the Course:
It is expected that students will master the fundamentals of mineralogy:
• Chemical composition and crystal structure of major rock-forming minerals
• Identification of major rock forming minerals in hand sample
It is expected that students will master fundamentals of petrology:
• Composition of predominant igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
• Identification of predominant igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
It is expected that student will gain an understanding of the interaction of the rock,
hydrologic, and tectonic cycle.
5. Syllabus/Sample Text:
I. Minerals
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Experimental Course
A. Mineral Characteristics: Composition & Crystal Structure
B. Mineral Properties
II. Common Minerals in Earth’s Crust:
A. Silicates
B. Carbonates, Phosphates, and Sulfates
C. Ore Minerals
III. Minerals and Plate Tectonics
IV. Petrography
A. Igneous
B. Metamorphic
C. Sedimentary
V. Biogeochemical Cycles
A. Tectonic
B. Rock
C. Water
Texts under consideration:
Mineralogy, 2nd Edition: Dexter Perkins
Petrology: The Study of Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic Rocks: Raymond
6. Effect on Curriculum Offering Outside of the Departments:
None.
7. Faculty:
This course will be taught by faculty members currently in the department.
8. Estimated Enrollment and Frequency:
Estimated enrollment is 15-20. This course will be offered once every year.
9. Date of Departmental Approval:
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Experimental Course
LEHMAN COLLEGE
OF THE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Department of Environmental, Geographic and Geological Sciences
1. Type of Change: Change in Degree Requirements:
Hegis #: 1914
Program Code: 451
2. From:
32- TO 36 CREDIT MAJOR IN GEOLOGY, B.A.
The required credits are distributed as following:
Credits (32-36):
12 In required GEO courses: GEO 101 or 100 or 166, 167, and 244
12 In elective GEO courses: GEO 242, 303,333, 348 or other courses approved
by the major advisor
8-12 In courses in a related science or mathematics (physics, chemistry, biology
or mathematics) as approved by the major advisor
GRADUATE STUDY IN GEOLOGY
Students preparing for graduate study in geology should take chemistry, physics
and calculus and one foreign language or computer proficiency course.
FIELD STUDY
Participation in a four- to six-week summer field course is strongly urged. With
the prior permission of the chair, up to 6 credits from this summer program may
be counted toward the geology major.
3. To:
MAJOR IN GEOLOGY, B.A., 36 TO 40 CREDITS
The required credits are distributed as follows:
16 credits in required GEO courses:
GEO 100 Marine Sciences (4 credits)
GEO 166 Processes of Global Change (4 credits) OR GEO 101 Physical
Geology (4 credits)
GEO 167 Evolution of the Earth (4 credits)
GEO 245 Earth Materials (4 credits)
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12 credits in elective GEO/GEP courses to be chosen from:
GEO 236 Environmental Geology (4 credits)
GEO 348 Structural Geology (4 credits)
GEO 375 Field Problems in Geology (4 credits)
GEO 410 Environmental Geochemistry (4 credits)
GEO 448 Plate Tectonics (4 credits)
GEP 350 Special Projects in Geographic Information Systems (4 credits)
(Other courses may be substituted for elective requirements with department
permission.)
8-12 credits in courses in a related science or mathematics (physics, chemistry,
biology or mathematics) as approved by the major advisor.
PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN GEOLOGY
Students preparing for graduate study in geology should take chemistry, physics
and calculus and one foreign language and a computer proficiency course.
FIELD STUDY
Participation in a four- to six-week summer field course, either GEO 375 at
Lehman or an equivalent course at another accredited institution is strongly
urged. With the prior permission of the chair, up to 6 credits from this summer
course may be counted toward the geology major.
4. Rationale:
The changes in the requirements for the major may be summarized as follows:
Course dropped as requirement:
1. GEO 244 Mineralogy
Course added as requirement:
1. GEO 245 Earth Materials (new course)
Courses dropped from the list of suggested GEO electives:
1. GEO 242 Introduction to Paleontology
2. GEO 303 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
3. GEO 333 Petrology
Courses added to the list of suggested GEO/GEP electives:
1. GEO 236 Environmental Geology
2. GEO 375 Field Problems in Geology
3. GEO 410 Environmental Geochemistry
4. GEO 448 Plate Tectonics (revised existing course)
5. GEP 350 Special Projects in Geographic Information Systems
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I. Rationale for changing “GEO 100 OR GEO 101 OR GEO 166” to “GEO
100 AND GEO 101 OR GEO 166”. GEO 100 Marine Science focuses on
study of the Oceans while GEO 101 and GEO 166 focus largely on
continental geology. The OR-OR structure leaves majors with either oceans
or continents when they should have both. This change increases the total
credits required for completion of the major from 32-26 to 36 to 40. This is
consistent with typical/acceptable range of required credits for majors in
Natural Sciences and is justified by the expansion of the content coverage.
II. Rationale for replacing GEO 244 with GEO 245. GEO 244 Mineralogy is a
highly focused course emphasizing crystallographic and microscopic
determinative mineralogy best suited for students preparing for graduate
study and careers in fields associated with mineralogy or petrography. GEO
245 Earth Materials incorporates two key aspects of mineralogy, crystal
structure and identification of rock-forming minerals in hand sample, with
petrology of predominant igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in
relation to their tectonic environment. Correlative learning about rock-forming
minerals, petrology and biogeochemical cycles (tectonic, rock, and
hydrologic) is in keeping with recent conceptual shifts towards Earth systems
science which views the planet in terms of interrelated spheres linked by
dynamic processes. GEO 244 Mineralogy is a 6-hour, laboratory focused
course emphasizing crystallographic and microscopic determinative
mineralogy best suited for students preparing for graduate study and careers
in fields associated with mineralogy or petrography. Our current facilities do
not allow us to offer this course but we hope to be able to do so once we have
relocated to the new science facility. In addition, GEO 245 will provide a
broader foundation for students preparing for geoscience careers.
III. Rationale for dropping GEO 242, GEO 303 and GEO 333 from the list of
suggested GEO electives: GEO 242 Introduction to Paleontology, GEO 303
Stratigraphy and Sedimentology, and GEO 333 Petrology are geared towards
preparing students for careers in the petroleum and mining industries. The
narrow, segmented focus of each of these courses is more appropriate to a
Bachelor of Science rather than a Bachelor of Arts degree. The scope of
geoscience careers has broadened immensely in the past two decades
requiring a foundation that encompasses a wider range of preparation that
interconnects rather than separates disciplines. In addition, key aspects of
petrology will be presented in the new required course GEO 245 Earth
Materials.
IV. Rationale for adding GEO 236, GEO 375, GEO 410, GEO 448, and GEP
350 to the list of suggested GEO/GEP electives: GEO 236 Environmental
Geology is added as a suggested elective in order to introduce the aspect of
environmental science to the degree program. Environmental science has
blossomed as discipline in recent years, become indispensable to students
preparing for geoscience careers or graduate study. GEO 375 Problems in
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Field Geology is added to provide field experience to students who, in our
urban environment, frequently lack direct experience of the natural world. It
must be stressed that geology is essentially a field-based discipline, an
aspect that is often overlooked in urban institutions. GEO 410 Environmental
Geochemistry through the study of biogeochemistry students will learn to
analyze and develop solutions to complex interconnected environmental
issues. GEO 448 Plate Tectonics (revised existing course) is added to
provide student with a framework for their studies through presentation of
Plate Tectonics as a Unifying Theory comparable to Evolution. GEP 350
Special Projects in GIS is added to provide students with the foundation and
application of GIS theory and technology currently in used extensively in
geoscience.
5. Effect outside Department: None
6. Date of Department Approval: 5 September 2007
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Experimental Course
LEHMAN COLLEGE
OF THE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Department of Environmental, Geographic and Geological Sciences
1. Type of Change: Change in Minor Requirements:
Hegis #: 1914
Program Code: 451
2. From:
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR IN GEOLOGY
The minor in Geology consists of GEO 167 (4 credits), GEO 244 (4 credits), and one
additional course at the 300 or 400 level. GEO 490 is acceptable.
3. To:
MINOR IN GEOLOGY, 12 CREDITS
The required credits are distributed as follows:
GEO 167 Evolution of the Earth (4 credits)
GEO 245 Earth Materials (4 credits)
Additional courses at the 300 or 400 level. .
4. Rationale:
The changes in the requirements for the major may be summarized as follows:
Course dropped as requirement:
1. GEO 244
Course added as requirement:
1. GEO 245 Earth Materials (new course)
I. Rationale for replacing GEO 244 with GEO 245. GEO 244 Mineralogy is a
highly focused course emphasizing crystallographic and microscopic
determinative mineralogy best suited for students preparing for graduate
study and careers in fields associated with mineralogy or petrography. GEO
245 Earth Materials incorporates two key aspects of mineralogy, crystal
structure and identification of rock-forming minerals in hand sample, with
petrology of predominant igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in
relation to their tectonic environment. Correlative learning about rock-forming
minerals, petrology and biogeochemical cycles (tectonic, rock, and
hydrologic) is in keeping with recent conceptual shifts towards Earth systems
science which views the planet in terms of interrelated spheres linked by
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Experimental Course
dynamic processes. GEO 244 Mineralogy is a 6-hour, laboratory focused
course emphasizing crystallographic and microscopic determinative
mineralogy best suited for students preparing for graduate study and careers
in fields associated with mineralogy or petrography. Our current facilities do
not allow us to offer this course but we hope to be able to do so once we have
relocated to the new science facility. In addition, GEO 245 will provide a
broader foundation for students preparing for geoscience careers.
5. Effect outside Department: None
6. Date of Department Approval: 5 September 2007
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