Lecture	Tuesdays, Thursdays  10.30 - 11.50 a.m.
Location	Lockett Hall Room B9
Office hours	For appointments and all correspondence  Please make sure the subject line contains the course name exactly as written below, or it may be taken for SPAM.  e-mail: gllore@lsu.edu Subject:  GEOL1001.2
Teaching Assistant	e-mail:  Mr. Dailun Wang, Dailun.Wang@lsu.edu   Subject:  GEOL1001.2
Required (e) book	by Stephen Marshak, E-book
Learning Goals:	A fundamental understanding of Physical Geology is important for  professionals who engage and want to better manage the subsurface, including agriculturalists, civil, geotechnical, waste management engineers, and natural resource specialists. This course intends to review the fundamentals of Earth Science with a special emphasis on the use of quantitative approaches to solving and understanding Earth Problems.
Course work	Lecture sessions will cover key concepts from the textbook.                                                            Dates and times for exams, review sessions and quizzes may change but are NOT generally subject to change. Email me in ADVANCE of any mid-semester exam or final exam day if you foresee issues with taking tests at the times provided. Physical Geology (GEOL1001) satisfies the LSU General Education requirements for Natural Sciences (Physical) by describing energy in the earth system and by addressing the students' achievement of employing scientific and mathematical models, methods, and technology in the resolution of real-world problems. Geology is a wondrous and rigorous science that requires the same effort in study as any other basic science such as physics, chemistry or biology. Excellent grades require excellent preparation and so I recommend strongly that students study independently 2 hours for every hour of material covered in class. I expect students to read the e-book chapters covered in class and in advance of the class itself, as well as readings I may assign. It is a student's responsibility to come to class and stay informed on the material covered therein. All material covered in class may be used for examinations.  Final and Midterm Exams:There are two (2) required mid-term exams and one (1) required final exam. If you foresee a university-sanctioned absence and you provide me with the correct documentation in advance of the exams in question, I will give you a make-up exam. Exams will be administered in the same room that the lectures are held (LockettHall, Room B9). Exams will be conducted via Moodle and students should come prepared with an electronic device through which they can conduct the exam. If the students do not have access to a suitable electronic device, please inform the instructor or TA as soon as possible,  so that  suitable accommodations can be made.   A typical electronic device can be a laptop or cellphone with access to the internet. Homework quizzes are conducted every week starting at noon on Friday through noon on Monday for which you are assigned a maximum period of 72 hours. A normal quiz should take only one hour to complete. Because 72 hours are allowed for quiz completion and a normal quiz takes at most one hour to complete, there are no makeups allowed for these quizzes, so make sure to start work on them as early as possible. In-class exams will consist of written and illustrated questions with multiple-choice and True/False answers. The two midterm exams will contains 50 multiple choice or True/False questions. In the final exam, there are at least 100 multiple choice and TRUE/FALSE questions. Every exam can have questions from any of the material previously covered in class, with special emphasis on the most recent new material covered. Remember that the final exam questions cover ALL course materials with an  emphasis on the latest unexamined sections.  Homework Quizzes Each Friday at noon, I will place 8 questions on Moodle that deal with course material for the forthcoming week. These questions will be similar to what you can expect in the formal exams. Moodle will be generally be available to take your quiz for 72 hours starting noon on Fridays and ending at noon on the following Monday. Important Notes It is a student's responsibility to meet the university deadlines and requirements (e.g., for seeking permission to request make-up exams). This course does not provide make-up projects for extra credit in order to improve letter grades.
Assessment Policies	IMPORTANT NOTE: Only the better of the two midterm exam results will be used to calculate the final grade.   That means that your final grade will be calculated as flows:  (Only one) Best Midterm Grade (30%) + Final Exam Grade (60%) + Homework quizzes via Moodle (10%) Example Final Grade Calculation: Midterm exam 1 = 60%; Midterm exam 2 = 30%; Final exam = 60% Homework quizzes = 80% Final grade calculation = (60 x 0.3) + (60 x 0.6) + (80 x .1) = 18 + 36 + 8 = 62 (C-) Curving is used when deemed necessary by the instructor. Numeric grades will be posted on Moodle after ALL students (including make-up cases) have completed their exams and ALL the exams are graded. Because the overall grade depends so much on the final exam result and curving there can be no estimation of overall course grades in advance of the final exam. Final Grade Assignments: A-: 90-93.3, A: > 93.3-96.7, A+: > 96.7-100% , B-: 80-83.3, B: > 83.3-86.7, B+: >86.7 - 90%, C-: 60-63.3, C: >63.3-66.7, C+:>66.7-80%;  D-: 50-53.3%, D: >53.3-56.7, D+: >56.7-60%), F (less than 50%)
Academic Standards and Expectations	Student Rights and Responsibilities Socially acceptable courteous behavior between students and with the instructor is expected at all times. Activities that distract from learning are considered rude and strongly discouraged. Academic Integrity Louisiana State University adopted the Commitment to Community in 1995 to set forth guidelines for student behavior both inside and outside of the classroom.  The Commitment to Community charges students to maintain high standards of academic and personal integrity.  All students are expected to read and be familiar with the LSU Code of Student Conduct and Commitment to Community, found online at lsu.edu/saa.  It is your responsibility as a student at LSU to know and understand the academic standards for our community. Students who are suspected of violating the Code of Conduct will be referred to the office of Student Advocacy & Accountability.  For undergraduate students, the outcome will range from failing the assignment to failing the class along with disciplinary probation. For graduate students, a first violation leads to deferred suspension for at least two semesters and a failing grade in the course. Plagiarism and Citation As a student at LSU, it is your responsibility to refrain from plagiarizing the academic property of another and to utilize appropriate citation method for all coursework. Ignorance of the citation method is not an excuse for academic misconduct.  Remember there is a difference between paraphrasing and quoting and how to properly cite each respectively. One tool available to assist you in correct citations is the “References” function in Microsoft Word.  This program automatically formats the information you input according to the citation method you select for the document.  This program also has the ability to generate a reference or works cited page for your document. The version of Microsoft Word with the “References” function is available in most University computer labs. A demonstration of how to use this tool is available online at www.lsu.edu/saa.
Rights and Student Resources	Nondiscrimination, Sexual Harassment and Title IX LSU provides equal opportunity for all qualified persons in admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the university operates without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, or veteran’s status. LSU has implemented a procedure to address complaints for those who believe they have been subjected to discrimination and/or harassment in violation of this policy. Please know that your instructors are here to support you and listen to your experience. We also want you to know that we are mandatory reporters and must report what we know to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX. All LSU employees, with few exceptions, are required to report instances of sex- or gender-based harassment and discrimination, including sexual misconduct and power-based violence (e.g., sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, retaliation, etc.) for which they may not be the victim, but of which they are aware. The Office of Civil Rights & Title IX is the LSU office responsible for investigating complaints regarding any type of discrimination, sexual harassment, or power-based violence. The Office of Civil Rights & Title IX is located in 118 Himes Hall and the phone number is (225) 578-9000. If you are aware of an individual who has been victimized, you are encouraged to contact the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX or file an online report by visiting LSU’s Domestic & Sexual Violence Support and Reporting website and clicking the Report an Incident box. If you have been assaulted, harassed, or a victim of violence, we encourage you to contact the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX. Please reach out for help immediately. Some excellent resources available to Baton Rouge residents include: •    STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response; 24/7 hotline: (855) 435-STAR (7827) •    IRIS Domestic Violence Center; 24/7 hotline: (800) 541-9706 •    The Lighthouse Program; (225) 578-5718 •    VIA LINK; (800) 273-TALK (8255) [national line but answered from New Orleans] National resources include: •    RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network); 24/7 hotline: (800) 656-4673 •    National Sexual Violence Resource Center For additional information, visit the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX  and review PM-73 (Prohibiting Power-based Violence, including Sex- and Gender-based Harassment and Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct). Diversity Statement The College of Science is committed to fostering exemplary educational opportunities that support individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of race, class, gender, ethnicity, religion, accessibility, or socioeconomic status. We recognize that our science benefits from diverse viewpoints, experiences, and perspectives and that the promotion of inclusive excellence is key to all that we do. Becoming a university student is a significant milestone for learners, and the experience involves a new community rich in social and cultural diversity. It is my intent that students from all backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course and the course content and class discussions will be enhanced by the diversity of its students. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups. Students with Disabilities Louisiana State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. The syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see a staff member in Disability Services so that such accommodations can be considered. Students that receive accommodation letters, please meet with me to discuss the provisions of those accommodations as soon as possible. You may request a private and confidential meeting with me during office hours or at a time mutually agreed upon.  Health Resources for Students Your health and safety are LSU’s top priority. If you are feeling ill or overwhelmed with anxiety, please contact the LSU Student Health Center for medical advice and mental health support. General health care and mental health support are available for all enrolled students through telehealth appointments. Unexpected Changes to Courses The format of the course and/or requirements may be forced to change due to unforeseen circumstances, and if this is the case, students will be given appropriate notification. Check your email and the course Moodle regularly. Stay aware of campus notifications via the LSU emergency messaging system. Expectations LSU’s general policy states that for each credit hour, you (the student) should plan to spend at least two hours working on course related activities outside of class. Since this course is for three credit hours, you should expect to spend a minimum of six hours outside of class each week working on assignments for this course. In the event of a campus-wide closure, this course may transition to an alternative form of instruction. I will notify you by [e-mail, Moodle announcement] as soon as possible of the format our course will take. For example, the class may be held via Zoom and recorded for those unable to attend, or I will provide a lesson online that you can do asynchronously, or we may cover content at a different pace or schedule. If the emergency closure impacts scheduled tests, I will make alternative arrangements as soon as possible. If alternative formats are not available due to widespread loss of power and/or internet or other extenuating circumstances, the University may schedule makeup days per Policy Statement 117. GEOL1001  is an LSU Integrative Learning Core (ILC) course Integrative learning allows students to make simple connections among ideas and experiences and across disciplines and perspectives. The LSU Integrative Learning Core (ILC) curriculum is designed to develop student abilities to transfer their learning to new situations and demonstrate a sense of self as a learner. A fundamental goal of the ILC is to foster students' practical and intellectual capacities associated with integrative learning in preparation for high competence and functionality in their post-baccalaureate careers. This course fulfills the BoR Area of Natural Sciences (Physical) and provides students experience with the ILC proficiency of Quantitative and Formal Reasoning. GEOL 1001 satisfies 3 credits of LSU’s ILC requirements for Natural Sciences (Physical). For an LSU baccalaureate degree nine hours of Natural Sciences are required such that (1) “two courses in biological or physical science area sequence and one in the other area and (2) Natural sciences study both life and physical sciences in an approach to understanding the universe by studying objects, phenomena, laws of nature and the physical world.” GEOL 1001 satisfies these criteria by devoting the semester enabling students in their understanding of the physical aspects of “Earth materials and landforms; processes at work on and within the earth”. Within this context, a significant proportion of the class is used to describe and discuss the following overarching departmental core concepts and topics.   GEOL 1001 - assessment criteria for Quantitative and Formal Reasoning ILC proficiency Scientific reasoning is used throughout the class, but assessment of the ILC proficiency is a critical measure of the effectiveness of the course. The assessment of the Quantitative and Formal Reasoning proficiency dimension of interpretation will be based on the performance of students on representative multiple-choice questions focused on the interpretation proficiency dimension within examinations. A common pool of integrative multiple-choice questions will be used in examinations across all sections of GEOL1001. The questions will be chosen based on their integrative qualities. These integrative questions will constitute at least 20% of the course content and evaluation that goes into the course grade.   Multiple-choice questions that will constitute 20% or more of the course grade will be selected that are directly related to the ILC proficiency of Quantitative and Formal Reasoning as designated above.