Section 01 -- Lecture: 10:00 am M-Th in SCI 135
  Lab: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm T in SCI 118

Instructor: Dr. J.P. Buchanan, Professor of Geology
Office: Science 120
Voice:  509/359-7493 (with voice mail)
E-mail: jbuchanan@ewu.edu
WWW: http://www.geology.ewu.edu/jpbpage.htm

I. TEXT: Understanding Earth by Press and Siever. Text is required and is available in the EWU Bookstore.   If you want to be a geologist, buy this and keep it!

II. EXPECTATIONS:  This course provides the entry into the geology major and assumes you are truely, passionately and obsessively interested in a deeper understanding of the earth and the physical processes that operate at or near its surface.  Successful students can proceed into the geology major and become professional geologists, become well-rounded earth science teachers, or pursue careers in other sciences or engineering.

I have high expectations for all of you!  Grades will be assigned based upon your performance in the following areas:

  Lecture exams - 50% of course grade consisting of three exams (including the final comprehensive exam).
  Laboratory and other exercises - 30% of course grade.  You must successfully complete all lab requirements in order to pass this course.
  Poster session - 10% of course grade.
  Attendance and class participation - 10% of course grade.

III. COURSE POLICIES:

1. Attendance - Daily attendance in lecture is expected and strongly recommended.  Do not bring and/or consume food or drink in lecture or lab.  Be engaged in the lecture/discussion.
2. Grading - A standard university grading scale will be utilized in determination of final course grades.  Consult the university catalog for reference.
3. Cheating - Any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. If a student is found cheating on an exam or in any of the course assignments, disciplinary action will be initiated and a 0.0 course grade will be assigned.  All work that you do in this course must be your own.
4. Make-up Exams/Labs - None allowed.  If you anticipate that you will have a conflict that may interfere with an exam or a lab assignment, please see me before that time. Every accomodation will be made, provided I know beforehand there is a problem.
5. Course prerequisites - Basic math, english and computer competency and a curious mind.
 

IV. TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:
 
 
Date          Topic                                         Reading                     Lab

Week 1     Introduction                                Ch. 1                          None

Week 2     Topographic maps,
                  weathering and soils                   Ch. 6                          Topographic maps

Week 3     Sediments and sedimentary
                  rocks, the rock record and
                  geologic time                            Ch. 7, 9                         Sedimentary rocks

Week 4     Mass wasting                            Ch. 10                          Geologic maps

Week 5     Hydrologic cycle
                    and groundwater                     Ch. 11                          Groundwater

Week 6     Rivers and landscape
                    evolution                                 Ch. 13, 16                     Rivers

Week 7     Winds and deserts,
                    glaciers                                  Ch. 14, 15                     Deserts and Glaciers
 
Week 8     Oceans and shorelines              Ch. 17                          Shorelines

Week 9     Energy resources                       Ch. 22                          Field trip preparation

Week 10     Earth systems and summary      Ch. 24                          Poster session

Week 11     Final exam (comprehensive)

Notes:

1.  Anticipate mid-term exams at the end of the 4th and 8th week of the quarter.

2.  Each student will prepare a "poster session" that will be detailed in an additional handout.  Right now, though, take a look at the myriad of posters in the hallway that have been presented at professional geological conferences by graduate students and faculty.

3.  There will be a required field trip, weather providing, late in the quarter.  Reserve the following two dates right now for the all day field excursion: Saturday, 3/4/00 and Saturday, 3/11/00.  We'll use one of these days for the field trip depending on the weather.