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THIS CLASS IS 100% ONLINE. This is an abbreviated syllabus: a full syllabus is on the class Canvas page.
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Harry Williams Email:
Harryf.Williams@unt.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION: Physical geology is the study of the rocks that form the crust of the Earth. Topics include: the nature and origin of crustal rocks; surface processes, such as rivers and waves that shape rocks into specific landforms; plate tectonics - a theory that has revolutionized geology in the last few decades and explains the occurrence and distribution of mountains, earthquakes and volcanoes. COURSE OBJECTIVE: The objective of the course is to gain a basic understanding of minerals, rocks, geologic processes and landforms. The course also provides a suitable background for upper-level earth science courses. This class satisfies 3 hours credit of the lab science requirement in the UNT Core Curriculum. INSTRUCTION: MODULES: class materials (powerpoint
lectures, PDFs and video links) are provided each week in
Canvas modules (basically a folder);
every lecture is covered by a quiz; quiz answers are submitted via Canvas. QUIZZES, cumulatively worth 25% of the course grade,
accompany each module. LABS: weekly lab exercises are delivered online. Labs are taught, graded
and recorded by your Teaching Assistant (TA). Labs are worth 30% of your
final grade; you must pass the lab to pass the
course (60% minimum). The labs
include a set of exercises and questions that complement lecture material. You
must register for a lab section. LECTURE EXAMS: there are four multiple-choice lecture exams, worth 40% of your final grade (10% each exam). Exams will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions selected from preceding quizzes and lectures. Exams are closed book. RECITATION: students must attend at least five recitations (T, R 2-3.20). Counts for 5% of final grade. MISSED
DEADLINES: quizzes and exams not submitted by
the deadline result in grades of zero.
Make up work is possible,
but only with official documentation for an excused absence (for example, a
doctor’s note). COURSE TEXT BOOK: Required: None; Optional: Lutgens, F.K. and Tarbuck, E.J. Essentials of Geology (any recent edition). Inexpensive used copies
can be found online. Most of the lecture material is based on this book. This
book is not required; it is simply suggested for students who like to have a
textbook to accompany the lectures. Extra Credit: The
Department of Geography and the Environment does not allow extra credit
assignments (work not specified on a course syllabus). ADA Statement: the Department of Geography
and the Environment, in cooperation with
the Office of Disability Accommodation, complies with the Americans with
Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with
disabilities. Please present your written request before the 4th class day so
that I can make the necessary arrangements needed. Cheating and
Plagiarism Statement: Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a
"0" for that particular assignment or exam. Additionally, the
incident will be reported to the Office of Student Rights and
Responsibilities for further penalty. According to the UNT catalog, the
term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: a. use of any
unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; b.
dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor
in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other
assignments; c. the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other
academic material belonging to a faculty or staff member of the university;
d. dual submission of a paper or project, or resubmission of a paper or
project to a different class without express permission from the
instructor(s); or e. any other act designed to give a student an unfair
advantage. The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to:
a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the
published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear
acknowledgment; and b. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of
materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term
papers or other academic materials.
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