GEOL 111 – Introduction to Geology

GEOL 111A – Discovering Planet Earth

Sections F12N01, 02                                       Vancouver Island University

^{VIU Earth Science students collecting fossils on the Browns River, Vancouver Island, 2011}

Instructor: 

Steven Earle PhD, P.Geo.                                  

Office: 

Building 360, Room 304A  

Office hours: 

Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00-11:00, Wednesdays & Fridays 10:30-11:30

Telephone: 

local 2756  

e-mail: 

steven.earle@viu.ca

Introduction:

The objective of this course is to learn about the Earth: when and how it formed, what it is made of and how it works.  Topics include: the nature of the interior of the Earth, geological time, major processes that take place within the crust and mantle (such as plate tectonics and the resulting earthquakes and volcanism), the characteristics of different types of rocks and how they are formed, the properties of the minerals that make up those rocks, and the nature of unconsolidated materials on the earth’s surface. There will be some emphasis on the geology of British Columbia and in particular on our part of Vancouver Island.

Much of what you are expected to understand for the theory part of the course is summarized within a series of lecture notes that are accessible from the course website (see below). You may wish to print the notes out prior to the relevant lecture, and bring them with you.  At the end of each section of notes there are several review questions that could be similar to the questions on the midterm test and/or the final exam. Please work on the questions as we go along—either alone or in groups—and if you have trouble with them please ask me, either during class or during my office hours.

The theory parts of GEOL-111 and GEOL-111A are identical.  Students in GEOL-111A will miss the practical aspects of the lab, although we will be doing some practical activities during the lectures.  GEOL-111A students are welcome to come to the labs.

Readings from the textbook (see below) will be assigned. The information in the text will supplement what we are discussing in class.

The lab part of Geology 111 includes a 2-hour introductory field trip, one lab on minerals, two labs on rocks, one lab on surficial materials (e.g., glacial deposits) and one lab on understanding geological maps. There will be a short lab test during each of the mineral and rock labs.  As is the case for all lab science courses at VIU, you need to get at least 50% in the lab part of the course and 50% in the theory part to pass the course. The labs are the same for all sections.

Course structure:

Lectures are in Bldg. 370 Rm. 107 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 10:00.  Labs for GEOL-111 are in room 107 on Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00 PM (Section 1) and 3:00-5:00 PM (Section 2).  Labs are held every other week; the first lab is on September 11^th. 

If the GEOL-111 lab that you are registered in does not suit your schedule you may be able to find a space in the other lab on Tuesday or in one of Casey’s Thursday labs.  There is an Open Lab, for both GEOL-111 and GEOL-111A students, on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the weeks between regular labs.

Evaluation:

The distribution of marks is as follows: 

                                                                                                       *marks that apply to the lab part of GEOL-111 – total value 27%

REMEMBER, YOU MUST ACHIEVE PASSING MARKS (50% OR MORE) IN BOTH THE LAB & THEORY PARTS OF GEOL-111 IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE.

The final letter grade will be determined using the university-wide grading system:

If you are going to miss the midterm test or an assignment deadline for medical or non-medical reasons you must inform me ahead of time or you will lose the marks.  If you miss something because of a medical emergency, you must bring me a doctor’s note.

Resources:

Textbook: Earth: An introduction to Physical Geology (2^nd Canadian ed.) by Edward Tarbuck and others (Pearson Education) If you are able to find a used or inexpensive copy of this or almost any other introductory geology text you might find that works just as well.

Lecture notes: The course schedule, marks and other relevant information are available on the internet at: http://web.viu.ca/earle/   That web site has many resources that are relevant to this course.   Click on Geology 111 to access the course material. 

Mineral and rock kits: Students in GEOL-111 and 111A will have the option of purchasing samples of important minerals and rocks.  The cost will be $15, and the kits can be obtained from Earth Science technician Owen Peer.   The samples in these kits will be used for two of the course assignments.  There will be a limited number of spare kits available in the lab for students that choose not to purchase a kit.

Lab manual: Students in GEOL-111 will need to purchase a lab manual at a cost of $10.

Optional books: Geological dictionaries and guides to rocks and minerals are available in the book store.

Academic integrity

The standards of academic integrity at Vancouver Island University are listed in the Student Academic Code of Conduct, which can be found on the VIU website in the “VIU Students” area, or at:  http://www.viu.ca/calendar/GeneralInformation/generalregulations.asp#codeofconduct  All students should read the entire policy document.

STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students are expected to meet the standards of academic integrity as indicated in the policy referred to above.  Standards of academic integrity include, but are not limited to:

• independently producing work submitted under one’s name;
• properly and appropriately referencing all work submitted;
• identifying all collaborators in work submitted;
• completing examinations without giving or receiving assistance, excepting those students requiring assistance due to a documented disability;
• respecting the integrity of examination materials and/or the examination process.