Environmental Geology (formerly Resources and Environment) Syllabus for Geosciences 1405 – There are no prerequisites

                                                                                                Spring, 2007

 

Instructor - Dr. Richard Schofield, Professor of Geology

 

Instructor’s office - Room 224, Science Building, office phone 793-3873,e-mail address is rschofield@mcm.edu. Office hours will be announced in class.

 

Required textbooks:

Environmental Geology by Edward Keller 8th ed.(bring each time for lecture)

 

Goals of the course: Learn about the earth, especially with regard to its resources, its environment, and how they are interrelated.

 

Attendance requirements: see attached sheet for attendance policies

 

Course requirements: You must take all lecture exams, a final exam and lab tests.

 

Lecture assignments: read the pertinent assignments prior to each class. These are from the Keller text. You are responsible for any material in these chapters as well as lecture material on exams. We will spend roughly 1 week on each topic.

Chap. 1            Philosophy

Chap. 2            Earth Materials and Processes

Test I

Chap. 3            Soils

Chap. 14          Mineral Resources

Chap. 15          Energy Resources

Chap. 16          Global Changes

Test II

Chap. 10          Water: Process, Supply  and Use

Chap. 11          Water Pollution  and Treatment

Chap. 12          Waste Management

Chap. 13          Geologic Aspects of Environmental Health

Test III

Chap. 5            River Flooding

Chap. 9            Coastal Hazards

Final Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grade Scale

A   92

A- 88

B+ 84

B   80

B-  76

C+ 72

C   68

C-  64

D    54

F    below 54

Final grade calculation - Each regular test (3) and the final exam counts 20%, lab average 20%

Note well – tests will be Monday or Wednesday not Friday if at all possible.

 

Lab Syllabus

 

Lab 1 - Mineral study and lab test

 

Lab 2 - Rock study and lab test

 

Lab 3 – Field trip to the area of the Callahan Divide – Buffalo Gap to Coronado Camp region

 

Lab 4 - Video on the mineral exploration industry and ore sample study and quiz

 

Lab 5 – Video on fossils fuels – discussion

 

Lab 6 - Videos on fossil fuels - discussion

 

Lab 7- Videos on nuclear energy (2) -= discussion

 

Lab 8 - Visit to Lake Ft. Phantom Hill and the near-by Abilene Water Treatment plant

 

Lab 9 – Video about water problems in Texas - discussion

 

Lab 10- Visit to the BFI Sanitary Landfill

 

Lab 11 - Video on the Yucca Mt. Nuclear Repository - discussion

 

Lab 12 - Videos on “pollution in the sea” and lead poisoning

 

Attendance and Make-Up Policy for Dr. Schofield   

 

Usually class attendance and grades show a close correlation so try to attend all classes if possible. Attendance at labs and lecture exams is required and students should be there unless there is a valid excuse. Those who miss my labs or lecture exams make extra work for me. Please do not miss them if at all possible.

 

Labs – Come to your scheduled lab each week but if you do miss it try to attend an alternative lab for the week. If you do miss a weekly lab completely then you need to make it up ASAP. Check with me about how to make it up.  If you do not make it up you get a zero for that lab. Also, the lab must be made up in a reasonable period of time.

 

Lecture and Final Exams - if you miss an exam for any reason then I want a typewritten note explaining why you missed it. A hand-written note from a dean, coach, or doctor that you give me can substitute for this. If you do not give me this note when you do make up the exam I reserve the right to deduct points from your exam. Also, if you miss an exam for a non-valid reason I reserve the right to deduct points from that exam. Employment during exams is not an excuse to miss exams nor is " personal business"! 

            Missed exams should be made up ASAP (within four days of your return to school) and if delayed too long may result in your being dropped from the course.

 

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            McMurry University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no otherwise qualified student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap”. If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance in this class and for which you may require accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office, located in Old Main, Room 102. For more information, contact James Greer at 793-4880 or jgreer@mcm.edu