ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY - GEOLOGY 10
Winter 2003
Class Time: MWF:
2:00-2:50; Keller Auditorium, Geological Sciences Bldg.
Instructors: Prof.
Peter Nabelek (until spring break)
e-mail: nabelekp@missouri.edu
www:
http://www.missouri.edu/~geolpin/
Prof.
Alan Whittington (after
spring break)
e-mail: whittingtona@missouri.edu
www:
http://bengal.missouri.edu/%7Eagw526/
Course Objectives: The principal objective of the course is to
provide understanding of the relationship between the inorganic Earth, geologic
processes and the human environment. The course is designed for students who
search for better understanding of their relationship to the Earth. The
students may be equally geology majors and non-majors, including those
interested in geography, agriculture, biological sciences, education,
journalism, government, law, humanities, etc. For each topic, we will study the
underlying ÒbasicÓ geologic principles and then discuss how a given geologic
process affects the human environment and how humans may affect geologic
processes and global systems. Our hope is that the course will challenge all
the students to become better informed citizens of the Earth.
Required Text:
Introduction to Environmental Geology by Edward A. Keller (Prentice Hall; 2nd
ed.)
Laboratory:
Investigations in Environmental Geology by D. Foley et al. (Prentice Hall; 2nd
ed.)
Examinations and Grading Three mid-term and one final examinations will be given. The exams will have multiple-choice type format. Each of the mid-term exams will be worth 15%, the final exam 25%, and the laboratory 30% of the grade. The final exam will be half-comprehensive and half will cover material since the last mid-term exam. The final grades will be curved. From past experience, the cutoffs for A-, B-, C-, and D- will likely be at 80, 70, 60, 50%, respectively. The final grade cutoffs will be the FINAL WORD and ÒborderlineÓ grades will not be changed, so please donÕt argue about grades unless you detect an error in the calculation of your final score. To prevent differences in grading by different TAÕs, grades for each TA will be normalized to an average percentage of 75%.
Policy on missed exams and lab quizzes: A student who missed a lecture exam must have a valid, written excuse. An unexcused absence from a mid-term will result in zero points for the exam. There will be one lecture make-up exam at the end of the semester, the date to be determined. To be entitled to take the make-up exam, you must let the instructor know before the exam begins that you will take it and be prepared to document your illness or grave family situation. The same policy applies to lab quizzes - in this case inform your lab instructor. A single make-up exam for missed lecture exams, which is comprehensive and not easier than the normal exams, will be offered to all absentees near the end of the semester. Please confer with you lab instructor about make-up tests for missed lab quizzes. No make-up will be given for the final exam.
Attendance: Attendance at lectures is mandatory. It is
assumed that you are taking this course because you have strong interest in
finding out about the environment in which you live. You can be assured that
the class will be sufficiently challenging, such that if you will not attend
lectures, there is a strong likelihood that you will not do well. At the same
time, however, there is no reason why you should not do well if you study hard
and attend lectures. Note that most exam questions will be based on lectures.
You will comprehend the lectures much better if you read the appropriate text
in the textbook prior to class. To stimulate attendance at lectures I will give
several unannounced ÒattendanceÓ quizzes during the semester that will count as
bonus toward the final grade.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty: Academic honesty is fundamental to the
activities and principles of a university. All members of the academic
community must be confident that each personÕs work has been responsibly and
honorably acquired, developed, and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage
not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful.
The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious
matter. Incidents of academic dishonesty in this class will be reported to the
Chairman of the Department of Geological Sciences and the Office of the
Provost. If a student is found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty, a
failing grade (F) will be assigned for the course and the student is subject to
probation or expulsion from the University.
To students with
disabilities: If you have a
disability and need academic adjustments or auxiliary aids and services,
including classroom materials in alternative formats (such as large print),
please notify me as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be
provided. Students with disabilities who request academic accommodations, such
as reader or scribes, are also required to register with the Disability
Services Office, A038 Brady Commons, 882-4696.
LECTURE
SYLLABUS
Topic Reading
Introduction: Geology, People and Environment Ch.
1, 4
I. Geologic
Materials Ch.
3
atoms,
elements, and minerals
igneous
rocks
sedimentary
rocks
metamorphism
weathering
III. Plate
Tectonics Ch.
2
internal
structure of the earth
movement
of crustal plates
evidence
for plate tectonics
past
configuration of plates
mountain
building
Exam 1
IV. Earthquakes Ch.
5
seismology
historic
earthquakes
earthquake
prediction
earthquake
hazards and mitigation
earthquake
information systems
V. Volcanism Ch.
6
volcanic
features
non-explosive
volcanism
explosive
volcanism
volcanic
emissions
historic
eruptions
prediction
and hazard mitigation
Exam 2
VI. Rivers
and Flooding Ch.
7
types
of rivers
river
load
types
of flooding
flood
prevention
VII. Water
Resources Ch.
10
the
global water cycle
groundwater
systems
groundwater
management
subsidence
and karst
VIII. Mineral
Resources Ch.
12
mineral
ores and economics
types
of mineral ores
worldwide
distribution and consumption
mineral
mining and processing
reclamation
Exam 3
IX. Energy
Resources
Non-renewable
fossil fuels Ch.
13
Oil
and Gas
Coal
Nuclear
Energy
Geothermal
Energy
Renewable
Energy
X. Air
pollution Ch.
15
types
of pollutants
sources
ozone
XI. Global
climate change Ch.
16
geologic
processes affecting EarthÕs climate
geology
and the development of life
geologic
record of past climate changes
Final Exam: Wednesday, May 14,
10:30-12:30.
1: Geologic
Materials F
I-1
2: Maps F
I-2
3: Earthquakes F
II-3-4
4: Earthquakes F
II-5
5: Volcanoes F
II-1- 2
6: Flooding F
II-9
7: Groundwater F
III-1
8: Water
quality F
III-2-6
9: Energy Resources F IV-1-3
10: Waste management F IV-4
11: Environmental planning F V-1-3
12: Global change F VI-1-3
13: Laboratory Final Exam