GEOL 411:  STRATIGRAPHY Instructor:  Dr. J.P. Buchanan Office:  SCI 120 Phone:  509/359.7493 E-mail:  jbuchanan@ewu.edu Web:  http://www.geology.ewu.edu/

II.  Expectations:

This course is divided into two portions, lecture and lab, where your course grade will be based upon your performance in the following areas:
 
           Two lecture exams and a final exam      - 45%
           Laboratory                                           - 35%
           Term paper                                           - 20%

Exams will be closed book and closed notes.  The nature of the final exam will be decided at a later date, but it will clearly be comprehensive in scope.  In order to pass this course you must successfully complete all lab assignments.

III.  Term Paper:

The term paper shall consist of a research paper on a topic of your choice.  Ten pages maximum of text, 12-point font, double spaced, with one-inch margins all around.  The report should also contain at least two figures and/or tables that are properly referenced and incorporated into the text.  A minimum of six references must be cited from valid scientific books and/or journal articles.  The style of the written term paper should be the same as that commonly found in articles in the Journal of Sedimentary Research (in the library, formerly the Journal of Sedimentary Petrology).

Your chosen topic must be approved by the instructor by 5 October.  First draft due on 9 November.  Final draft due on 25 November.

IV.  Laboratory:

All lab reports will be graded on the basis of grammar, organization, style and readability, as well as content.  Lab assignments are due weekly at the beginning of lab unless otherwise indicated.  Late reports are not accepted.

Reports should include a 1) title page with your name and date, 2) a statement of the problem or objective, 3) a description of the methodology, procedures and equipment used, 4) a presentation of data and any calculations, 5) an explanation of results, 6) a summary that discusses the significance of your results, and 8) any appropriate references.
 
 

V.  Tentative Schedule:

Week        Topic and readings

1            Introduction, source of sediments, fundamental properties of sedimentary rocks
                Read:  Ch. 1, 2

2            Sediment transport mechanics and deposition
                Read Ch. 3
                Lab - field experience

3            Sedimentary textures
                Read Ch. 4
                Lab - sieve analysis

4            Sedimentary Structures
                Read Ch. 5
                Lab - paleocurrents

5            Classification of sedimentary rocks - clastic and carbonate rocks
                Read Ch. 6, 7
                Lab - clastic rocks

6            Introduction to sedimentary environments of deposition, continental EOD
                Read Ch. 9, 10
                Lab - carbonate rocks

7            Marginal-marine and marine EOD
                Read Ch. 11, 12, 13
                Lab - core description

8            Introduction to principles of stratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, seismic and magnetostratigraphy
                Read Ch. 14, 15, 16
                Lab - core description

9            Biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy, code of stratigraphic nomenclature
                Read Ch. 17, 18, Appendix B
                Lab - correlation problem

10        Basin analysis
                Read Ch. 19
                Lab - correlation problem

11        Current topics in sedimentology and stratigraphy

VI.  The Fine Print

COURSE POLICIES:  Attendance - Daily attendance in lecture is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.  Do not bring and/or consume food or drink in the classroom. Grading scale - A standard university grading scale will be utilized in determination of final course grades (see university catalog).  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. Course prerequisites - Junior standing in geology major, or permission of instructor.