Spring 2022 Course Syllabus Course: GEOL-1303- Section: 1C Physical Geology

Instructor Information
Instructor	Karen Stelly
E-mail	stellyks@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6341
Office	Location: Educational I - Room: 133 Hours: Office Hours: By phone Virtual Hours: 10 am to 5 pm phone or text, 8-10 pm text only, Sunday-Saturday Office Phone: 409-554-3493
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
Description	Introduction to the study of the materials and processes that have modified and shaped the surface and interior of Earth over time. These processes are described by theories based on experimental data and geologic data gathered from field observations.
Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	By the end of this course you will learn to: Describe how the scientific method has led to our current understanding of Earth’s structure and processes. Interpret the origin and distribution of minerals, rocks and geologic resources. Describe the theory of plate tectonics and its relationship to the formation and distribution of Earth’s crustal features. Quantify the rates of physical and chemical processes acting on Earth and how these processes fit into the context of geologic time. Communicate how surface processes are driven by interactions among Earth’s systems (e.g., the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere). Identify and describe the internal structure and dynamics of Earth. Describe the interaction of humans with Earth (e.g., resource development or hazard assessment).
Core Objectives	* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Textbooks	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. Essentials of Geology, Stephen Marshak, 6th ed.
Lecture Topics Outline	Lamar Port Arthur Physical Geology Please see full due dates in the Course Schedule in class Lecture: Week 1    And Just What Is Geology? The Earth In Context; The Way Earth Works: Plate tectonics Week 2    Patterns In Nature: Minerals; Rock Groups; Assignment 1 Week 3    Up From the Inferno: Magma and Igneous Rocks; The Wrath of Vulcan: Volcanic Eruptions      Test 1 Week 4    A Surface Veneer: Sediments and soils; Pages of Earth’s Past: Sedimentary rocks Week 5    Metamorphism: A Process of Change; The Rock Cycle      Week 6    A Violent Pulse: Earthquakes; Earth’s Interior Revisited: Insights from Geophysics; Assignment 2     Week 7    Crags, Cracks, and Crumples: Geologic Structures and Mountain Building; Test 2 Week 8    Spring Break Week 9      Memories of the Past: Fossils and Evolution; Deep time: How Old is Old? ; Riches In Rocks: Energy and Mineral Resources; Assignment 3 Week 10     An Introduction to Landscapes and the Hydrologic Cycle; Unsafe Ground: Landslides and other Mass Movements; Test 3      Week 11    Streams and Floods: The Geology of Running Water; Restless Realm: Oceans and Coasts Week 12    A Hidden Reserve: Groundwater; Dry Regions: The Geology of Deserts Assignment 4 Week 13    Amazing Ice: Glaciers and Ice Ages; Global change in the Earth System; Test 4 Week 14    Final Exam
Major Assignments Schedule	Lamar Port Arthur Physical Geology Please see full due dates in the Course Schedule in class Lecture: Week 1    And Just What Is Geology? The Earth In Context; The Way Earth Works: Plate tectonics Week 2    Patterns In Nature: Minerals; Rock Groups; Assignment 1 Week 3    Up From the Inferno: Magma and Igneous Rocks; The Wrath of Vulcan: Volcanic Eruptions      Test 1 Week 4    A Surface Veneer: Sediments and soils; Pages of Earth’s Past: Sedimentary rocks Week 5    Metamorphism: A Process of Change; The Rock Cycle      Week 6    A Violent Pulse: Earthquakes; Earth’s Interior Revisited: Insights from Geophysics; Assignment 2     Week 7    Crags, Cracks, and Crumples: Geologic Structures and Mountain Building; Test 2 Week 8    Spring Break Week 9      Memories of the Past: Fossils and Evolution; Deep time: How Old is Old? ; Riches In Rocks: Energy and Mineral Resources; Assignment 3 Week 10     An Introduction to Landscapes and the Hydrologic Cycle; Unsafe Ground: Landslides and other Mass Movements; Test 3      Week 11    Streams and Floods: The Geology of Running Water; Restless Realm: Oceans and Coasts Week 12    A Hidden Reserve: Groundwater; Dry Regions: The Geology of Deserts Assignment 4 Week 13    Amazing Ice: Glaciers and Ice Ages; Global change in the Earth System; Test 4 Week 14    Final Exam
Final Exam Date	May 2, 2022 - 12:00 AM   Through  May 2, 2022 - 12:01 AM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Tests - 400 points Assignments - 200 points Final Exam - 200 points 800-720 points = A 719-640 = B 639-560 = C 559-480 = D <479 = F
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	You are expected to do your own work.
Attendance Policy	None
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other	N/A
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.