Dr. J.P. Buchanan
Science Rm 120
359-7493 (Secretary: 359-2286)
jbuchanan@ewu.edu
http://ewu63562.ewu.edu/jpb.htm
I. TEXT: Geohazards - Natural and Human, 1st edition, N.K. Coch. Text is required and is available in the EWU Bookstore. II. EXPECTATIONS: This course will focus primarily on the mechanisms by which natural geologic hazards occur and how they impact the human population. Grades will be given based upon your performance in the following areas: A. Lecture exams - 60% of course grade 1) Two (2) hour exams, each worth 20% of grade 2) Final exam (comprehensive in part), worth 20% of grade B. Exercises and Term Paper/Oral Presentation - 40% of grade III. COURSE POLICIES: A. Attendance - Daily attendance in lecture is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Do not bring and/or consume food or drink in the classroom. B. Grading scale - A standard university grading scale will be utilized in determination of final course grades. 90-100% 3.6-4.0 A 80-89% 2.6-3.5 B 66-79% 1.6-2.5 C 56-65% 0.7-1.5 D 0-55% 0.0 F C. Cheating - Cheating will not be tolerated. If a student is caught cheating during an exam or in the lab assignments, disciplinary action will be initiated and a 0.0 course grade will be assigned. D. Make-up exams - You are allowed one opportunity to make up an excused absence from an exam. An excused absence is defined as: 1) Notification to the instructor of an attendance problem in advance, or 2) Presentation of evidence of a legitimate absence to the instructor within two days of returning to school. E. Course prerequisites - Junior standing; GEOL 100 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. IV. TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE: Week Topic Reading 1 Introduction to course Ch. 1 2 Review of basic physical geology Ch. 2, 3 3 Volcanic hazards Ch. 4 4 Earthquake hazards Ch. 5 5 Soil erosion Ch. 6 6 Streams and flood hazards Ch. 7 7 Groundwater contamination Ch. 8, 12 8 Landslides Ch. 9 9 Subsidence and collapse Ch. 10 10 Coastal hazards Ch. 15 11 Oral presentations Finals - week of March 18-21, 1996. V. TERM PAPER AND ORAL PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS: Sometime by the end of the third week in the quarter, each student is to select a topic on the impact of a natural geologic hazard on the human population. The paper should be written in the form of a "case study" and not necessarily focus on the technical aspects of the hazardous process. The topic of your paper must be approved by the professor! Details on the format, length and due date for the paper will be discussed in class. During the last week of the quarter, oral presentations will be made by each student on their selected topic. Each student should prepare a "fact sheet" to accompany their presentation for distribution to the other students. Each talk should last about 15 minutes.