ESC 115: Physical Geology
Dale H. Easley

Syllabus

Spring, 2012

Physical Geology is the study of Earth's resources and processes, both on a small and large scale. Our text is Exploring Geology by Reynolds et al., 2007, McGraw-Hill. There will be four tests, including the final. No makeups exams are allowed. Instead, the lowest of your four test scores will be dropped. Reading assignments and test dates are as follows:

In order to do well in this course, you will need to do the following things:

• Attend class. Generally, lectures are as important as readings from the text. The lectures will highlight important points from the text and incorporate additional material. I show slides regularly and some of them appear as part of the test.

• Come see me or email me if you need help. I have office hours on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 3:00-5:00pm, in my office, 204 in Goldthorpe Hall of the Science Center. If the office hours do not fit your schedule, call for an appointment. My office phone is 589-3639. You can usually catch me after class and lab, too. My email address is deasley@dbq.edu. Email is usually the easiest way to contact me.

• Print materials from the Web.   I post information and study guides onto Moodle and my web site plus essays that I will refer to in class. I will also put the lab manual online. To access them using a Web browser, google Dale Easley or go to the following site:
  http://daleeasley.com/

Course Administrative Information

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this semester you should be able to do the following:

• Explain the workings of the major interlocking systems (hydrologic, rock, etc.) that govern the Earth.
• Identify major rocks and minerals.
• Use maps to determine geomorphology, gradients, and resource locations.
• Identify major landforms of the world and the geologic processes that formed them.
• Determine the relationship between plate tectonics and the occurrence of geologic hazards and resources.
• Engage in serious and quality discussions about character and ethics, especially as pertains to stewardship of the environment.

Attendance:

So that you may most efficiently achieve the learning goals of the course, your presence at all class sessions is necessary. Knowing that we all sometimes have good reasons for falling short of this expectation, I have instituted the following attendance policy: absences from class will lower your final grade after you have accumulated three (3) unexcused absences. Please speak with me if you have any questions about what constitutes an unexcused absence.

Cheating:

Read carefully the section on Academic Dishonesty in the UD Student Handbook. You are responsible for adhering to the University's standards for honesty in your academic work.

Academic Success Center:

The Academic Success Center for the University of Dubuque is located on the second floor of the Myers Library. The phone to the Center is 589-3262. This center can assist you in developing basic academic skills and can provide tutoring referrals. Please contact your instructor to discuss Academic Success Center services that might assist you in achieving course outcomes.

Academic Dishonesty Policy

The University of Dubuque expects students to be honest in academic matters. We expect each person on campus to be forthright and direct, and to value integrity in all his/her dealings. Activities and attitudes should be consistent with high academic standards and Christian commitment and should be consistent with the Mission and Values of the University. (University of Dubuque Student Handbook, 2006). Please see the "Values Violations" section of the UD Student Handbook for appropriate definitions, procedures and possible sanctions related to Academic Dishonesty ((http://www.dbq.edu/studentlife/pdf/200607UDStudentHandbook.pdf)

Subject to Change Clause:

This syllabus, course calendar and other attending documents are subject to change during the semester.

Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Statement:

Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify me during the first week of class of any accommodations needed for the course. Late notification may cause the requested accommodations to be unavailable. Confidentiality of all requests will be maintained. All requested accommodations must be approved through the Academic Success Center, 2nd floor Myers Library (589-3262).