GEOLOGY 303 - Earth Resources Fall, 2004

Time/Place: Mon, Wed., & Fri - 8:00-8:50 AM, Founders Hall 25

Instructor: Brandon Schwab

Office: Founders Hall 21

Email - schwab@humboldt.edu

Phone: 826-3950

Office hours: Mon. 1:30-4:00, Thr. 5:00-6:00, Fri. 1:30-2:30 or by appointment

Course URL: http://www.humboldt.edu/~bes21/er04f.html - syllabus and course updates &

information

Blackboard login: http://blackboard.humboldt.edu - lecture materials & assignments

First time login username: first part of your axe e-mail, i.e., “bes21” for me, initial password is your University id number (SSN), no dashes.

Required Text: Craig, Vaughn, & Skinner Resources of the Earth, 3rd edition.

Additional readings will be placed on Blackboard or on reserve at the library

MOTIVATION: This course is a broad overview of the formation, occurrence, and uses of geological materials in society, as well as the environmental impacts of their exploitation and use. My goal is to provide you with a foundation for understanding the sources of materials used in modern society and for you to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the complexity and interrelationships between geology, the environment, and society. As the population and our rate of consumption of the Earth’s resources increase, understanding these issues becomes increasingly important for all of us.

ASSESSMENT: Grades for the course will be based on five quizzes (75%) that you will take individually; 3-4 group and individual homework assignments (10%), and a group presentation (15%). Groups of 3-5 people will be established formally and informally throughout the semester. You will be working in groups in this class because collaborative activities are an essential part of almost any job or activity we do in life. Moreover, we all have different backgrounds and perspectives and by working together on problems we can better appreciate the diversity inherent in studying the Earth and its resources. Peer teaching is also perhaps the best way to truly learn a subject. At the minimum, you will work together on the homework assignments throughout the term and will create and present a group project during the last week of class. Your group should also prove to be a valuable resource for discussing the reading assignments and reviewing for the exams. I encourage you to establish a regular meeting time and location(s) for your group. I will also be happy to meet with your group (or individually) during office hours or other scheduled times.

To be successful in this course you need to attend lectures and participate fully in the group activities. Your grade will be penalized if you are absent from or otherwise do not contribute to your group. Late work will not be accepted and there will be no make-up exams or extra credit. However, I understand emergencies arise and you are responsible for alerting your group and me BEFOREHAND if you will be absent from class. I expect thoughtful and thorough work for each assignment.

A tentative schedule of topics follows. The key word here is tentative.

GEOL 303 – Tentative Schedule – Fall 2004