GEOLOGY 105
     ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY

SPRING 2005

Students registered in this class can access this and all relevant material through NIU Blackboard: http://webcourses.niu.edu

Geology 105 is a 3-credit course that counts towards general education science requirements.  There are no prerequisites.

Class hours:     Section 1: Tues, Thurs  12:30-1:45 p.m.  Davis Hall 308     

Professor:        Dr. Colin Booth    417B-1 Davis Hall    phone: 753-7933     e-mail: colin@geol.niu.edu
Office hours:   walk-in: Mon 10:30-11:30, Tues 2:30-3:30, Thurs 3:00-4:00.  Outside these hours by appointment only.

Course details                * Spring 2004 schedule (syllabus)          
 

 WHAT'S THIS CLASS ABOUT?

This course is designed to help you understand the geological environment and our interactions with it.  Topics range from global concepts such as continental drift, to major environmental questions such as climate change and energy choices, to local concerns such as municipal garbage and DeKalb’s water supply.  Environmental issues are often controversial and badly understood; much of the information that you get comes from sources that are sensationalist, scientifically ignorant, or politically motivated.  We approach the material from an objective scientific base to help you understand the earth and your physical environment, and form educated, rational opinions about the issues.

    WHO SHOULD TAKE IT

    This is a good course for the student who intends to be
*    a teacher or journalist – someone who has to explain environmental issues to others.
*    a business manager, administrator, or politician – someone who has to make decisions based on technical information supplied by scientists and engineers.
    or
*    is considering a major in Geology and Environmental Geosciences and wants to sample the subject in a non-specialist way.
*    is taking another major but wants to work in an environmental career.
*    is interested in the earth and the environment.
*    simply needs a science course that’s interesting and different.

COURSE POLICIES

Required Text: Environmental Geology, by Carla W. Montgomery: 6th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2003
Grading: The final course grade will be based on a total mark derived as follows:
Four homework exercises, each 5%      =   20%
Three 20-minute tests, each 5%            =    15%
Two 1-hour exams, each 20%              =    40%
One Final Exam                                   =     25%

Extra-Credit: If extra-credit opportunities are offered, they will be offered to everybody. Extra credit will not be arranged for individual students
Grade boundaries based on the total mark will be:    A/B: 83%;  B/C: 72%;  C/D: 60%;   D/F: 50%.
Exams and tests: You will be allowed one “crib-sheet” of handwritten paper on which you can have written anything you like. No textbooks, text pages, printed sheets, or photocopies. If you miss an exam or test for a documented legitimate reason (see Attendances & Absences), we will arrange a make-up exam. In the case of the final exam, this may mean an “incomplete” grade with a make-up after the end of the semester
Homework Exercises:  will involve some research or practical study. Exercises must be handed in on time and will not be accepted late except for a documented, legitimate reason for absence.
Academic Honesty is viewed very seriously. Cheating during an exam will result in a zero for that exam; copying a homework assignment from another student in the class will result in a zero for both of you; copying an assignment off the Internet or other external source will result in an F for the course. 

ATTENDANCES AND ABSENCES
You are required to attend class. Attendance and absences may be checked when work is returned, or by sign-up sheets, or by other means. Out of the 30 classes, you will be allowed a maximum of 5 unexcused absences, which will allow for classes missed because of undocumented problems like colds, car breakdowns, etc. Each additional unexcused absence above this will be penalized by 1.5 % off your total course mark. 

Legitimate reasons for absence include: your sickness, your child’s sickness, bereavement, attendance at funeral or wedding, job interview, attending a professional conference, or similar activity for which you had no control of the timing and for which you can provide documentary evidence. The following are not considered acceptable reasons:
-Pressure of work;
-Meetings with your advisor, sports practices, other classes, work, or any scheduled activity. If it’s regular, you shouldn’t have scheduled a conflict; if it’s by special arrangement, you should have said no.
-Vacations, including family vacations..  Arrange your vacations during the official university breaks.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS
Please let me know if major personal, family, health, disability, or similar problems are affecting your attendance or performance. There are many options available for genuine cases of serious problems, ranging from alternative assignments to incomplete grades to university services.
Students with disabilities: If you have a recognized disability and have need of special facilities or accommodation for class or exams, please contact me early in the semester. If you have not already done so, you will need to register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR, located on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building; 815-753-1303), the designated office on campus to provide services and administer exams with accommodations for students with disabilities.

CLASS COURTESY AND RULES
You are required to respect the rights of other students to learn, and the professor to teach, without undue distraction.  The following behavior and activities are unacceptable, and may result in your being required to leave the class temporarily or permanently:

 Use of laptops, personal CD/MP3/etc players, or cell phones.  These may not be used during class. Cell phones must be switched off unless special permission (e.g. for a parent on call for a child) is given.
Reading newspapers, magazines, etc., during the lecture.
Excessive chatter. This is distracting to me and to the students around you.
Eating anything other than silent candy - no chips, apples, hamburgers, fries, etc. Eat your lunch somewhere else - not in class.
Frequently arriving late. If it’s a regular occurrence, you need to change your schedule.
Walking out early without having previously excused it. It’s rude, disruptive, and will be counted as an absence. Please see me at the start of class if you need to leave class early.

 

 




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For detailed information on the current syllabus go to:  Schedule, Spring 2004

 Go to the following web-pages for more information about

             Dr Colin Booth & hydrogeological studies at NIU

             The Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences