SYLLABUS FOR GEOL-201-03: PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

CAL POLY SAN LUIS OBISPO, SPRING 2016, 3.0 UNITS, MWF 1:10-2:00 p.m., RM 53-215 (rev. 3/27/2016)
INSTRUCTOR: Gary Hughes E-MAIL: gbhughes@calpoly.edu OFFICE: 25-107G; 756-5648 HRS: MWF 2:10-3:30 p.m.
TEXTBOOK: (Required) Essentials of Geology, 4th Edition, S. Marshak, Norton, 2013, ISBN 978-0-393-92011-6 (paperback)
CALCULATOR: A calculator is essential. Calculators will be used for homework, and will be necessary on quizzes and exams.
PREREQUISITES: MATH 119 (Pre-Calculus Trigonometry), or equivalent, with a grade of C or better.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In Geology 201, we will begin to develop a fundamental understanding of, and an appreciation for,
the physical world around us. What are the basic conditions that lead to the occurrence of earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides,
tsunamis and other extreme phenomena? On a trip to Yosemite, to the beach, or hiking in the local hills, wouldnt it be satisfying to
be able to identify the types of rocks we see, to understand how the rocks were formed, and to speculate about how the rocks
contribute to the story of the surrounding landscape? Striving to comprehend the physical world around us can contribute to a core
sense of place; but, perhaps more importantly, there are many critical issues in the modern world that relate to physical geology. For
example, our world is constantly changing around us, due to both natural forces and human activities, and we need to be able to
understand and adapt to these changes. This class covers basic principles of the physical structure and processes of the Earth System,
with a broad objective of developing an appreciation for global change. Specific topics that we will cover include: rocks & minerals
and the rock cycle, earthquakes and volcanoes, Earths interior, plate tectonics and mountain building, relative & radiometric age
determination and geologic time, the history of Earth & life through geologic time, geologic hazards, economically important
geologic resources, glacial and fluvial processes, and global climate including paleoclimate and modern climate change.

Dates

Monday

Wednesday
p. 1-33; Solar System Formation

Friday

28 Mar-1 Apr Syllabus, Course Intro

04-08 Apr

HW1; p. 34-69; Plate Tectonics p. 70-124; Minerals

In-Class Exercise 1

11-15 Apr

HW2; p. 125-147; Igneous Rocks p. 162-187; Sedimentary Processes

p. 148-150, Metamorphism

18-22 Apr

HW3; p. 188-215; Rock Cycle

p. 216-251, Faults, Mountain Building

QUIZ 1

25-29 Apr

HW4; p. 264-291; Stratigraphy

p.318-322 Radioactivity

02-06 May

HW5; p. 328-351; Earth System p. 292-317; Biostratigraphy, Fossils

MIDTERM

09-13 May

HW6; p. 386-395, H2O Cycle

p. 151-161; Soil Science

p. 416-443,472-495; 514-543; Climate

p. 252-263 Earths Interior

16-20 May

HW7; p. 496-513 Deserts

p. 444-471 Oceans

In-Class Exercise 2

23-27 May

HW8; p. 396-415; Hazards

p. 352-385; Geologic Resources

QUIZ 2

p. 544-567; Global Change

Course Review

10 June

Gnomon
Pismo Beach

p. 322-327 Radiometric Ages

10 30 May-3 Jun Academic Holiday

Sat

Lopez Lake
Point Sal

FINAL EXAM 1:104:00 p.m.

GRADING
Final grades in this course will be determined from a weighted average of scores received on In-Class Exercises, Homework, Quizzes,
Exams and the Term Project. Each of these scores will make up a portion of the final grade, as shown below:
Average of Quiz Scores:
20%
Average of all Homework Scores:
10%
Midterm Examination Score:
25%
Average of all In-Class Exercises (ICEs): 5%
Final Examination Score:
30%
Term Project Score:
10%
Student grades will be assigned grades according to their overall weighted average score x , based on the following categories:
A
x 92.00
90.00 x 91.99 Ax < 60.00
F

88.00 x 89.99 B+
78.00 x 79.99 C+
68.00 x 69.99 D+
82.00 x 87.99 B
72.00 x 77.99 C
62.00 x 67.99 D
70.00 x 71.99 C60.00 x 61.99 D80.00 x 81.99 BStudents are ENCOURAGED to WORK TOGETHER on Homework, In-Class Exercises and the Term Project, but every student
must turn in their own (UNIQUE) worksheet. Due to the pace of the course, no late homework is accepted and no make-up quizzes or
tests are available. Let the instructor know in advance of any planned or unavoidable absences. For the term project, you will choose
an outcrop in the local area that you are curious about, and then use a geologic map and concepts from class to describe the outcrop
including base rock type(s), geologic age, environment of formation and outcrop geomorphology. A template will be provided.
Extra Credit is available by attending the optional field trips and completing a related report. Gnomon Day and Pismo Beach field trip
attendance with completed report will each add 2% to the midterm score. Point Sal and Lopez Lake field trip attendance with
completed report will each add 2% to the final exam score.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor
and the Disability Resource Center, Building 124, Room 119, at (805) 756-1395, as early as possible in the term.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
I expect that every student will adhere to the Mustang Way. Take personal responsibility for your learning. Learn by doing.
Persevere. Focus on excellence. Take pride in the effort you put forth on every exercise, assignment, project, quiz, exam, etc. in
every class you take. Consider what effects your actions might have on others in the classroom setting.