Physical Geology

GEOLOGY 1001 Section 3 

 Fall 2023

Dr. Juan M. Lorenzo
Department of Geology and Geophysics

Lecture  Tuesdays, Thursdays  3.00 - 4.20 p.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:  GEOL1001.3 Fall 2023
Teaching Assistant
Mr. Mehran Basmenji
e-mail:  mbasme1@lsu.edu

Subject:  GEOL1001.3 Fall 2023


Required (e) book

by Stephen Marshak, 2022, 637 pp. Seventh Edition 

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 Sunday through Monday for which you are assigned a maximum period of 24 hours. A normal quiz should take only one hour to complete. There are not 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. The final exam will cover all subject matter covered in class.

Remember that the final exam questions cover ALL course materials with emphasis on the latest unexamined sections. 

 Student Rights and Responsibilities

Homework Quizzes
Each Sunday, I will place 10 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 24 hours starting noon on Sundays and ending at noon on the day after.

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.

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


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 www.lsu.edu/civil-rights 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.




AUGUST 

Content and Chapters
Tue. 22, Th. 24 

Syllabus review,

What is Geology? 

Prelude 
Tue. 29, Th. 31 

The Earth in Context

Plate Tectonics 

   Ch. 1, 

   Ch. 2


SEPTEMBER

Content and Chapter

Tue. 5, Th. 7
   Plate Tectonics    Ch. 2
Tue. 12, Th. 14     Patterns in Nature: Minerals                                                                          Ch. 3
19, 21    Magma and Igneous Rocks    Ch. 4
 26      First midterm exam  
Th. 28  

   Magma and Igneous Rocks

  Ch. 4


OCTOBER

Content and Chapter

Tue. 3

 Sedimentary Rocks

   Ch. 6
Th. 5

 Fall Break

  

Tue. 10, Th. 12

 Sedimentary Rocks

 Metamorphism

Ch.6

Ch. 7

Tue. 17, Th. 19
    Faults and Earthquakes   Ch. 8
 Tue. 24, 26

    Folds and Mountains 

  Ch. 9

 Tue.  31
Second midterm exam


NOVEMBER


Content and Chapter

Th. 2
 Folds and Mountains  Ch. 9
Tue. 7, Th. 9
 Folds and Mountains
   Ch. 9
Tue. 14, Th. 16
Deep Time   Ch. 10
Wedn. 22 (12.30 p.m.), -Fri. 24
 Thanksgiving  
Tue. 21, Tue.28, Th. 30
 Floods and Levee Protection
Glaciers and Ice Age
 Ch. 14
 Ch. 18


DECEMBER

Sat. 2 Last day of classes
Tue. 5 
Final Exam 7.30 a.m. - 9.30 a.m. in Lockett Hall room 0009
Tue. 12                                                                      Final grades due