Onondaga Community College                 GEO 106:  Environmental Geology

Syracuse, NY                                 Sections: 001, 002 & 003  Spring 2012

Course Information:

Room: Ferrante 359 & 367                                   Textbook; Intro. to Environmental Geology, 5^th Ed.

Section: 001 F367 (Mon, Wed & Fri 10:10-11:00 am)                        by Edward Keller, Prentice Hall

Section: 002 F367 (Mon, Wed & Fri 12:30-1:20 pm)                         2^nd thru 4^th Editions also accepted

Section: 003 F359 (Tues & Thur 9:30-10:45 am)                      ISBN      5^th 0-321-72751-7   4^th  0-13-225150-7

                                                                                                                                                3^rd  0-13-144764-5  2^nd  0-13-033822-2 & 8 

Instructors:                                                phone: (315) 498-2722 office number

Mr. Brian McAninch                                                                 http://myhome.sunyocc.edu/~mcanincb/

Office: 369 Ferrante                                                               E-mail: mcanincb@sunyocc.edu

Env/Geo tutoring Mon 11:05-12:30 pm

Office Hours: Mon & Wedn 3-4:00pm, Tues 11-12:30 & Fri 12:00-12:30.

Course Objectives: Introduction to the everyday geological problems of our world community.  Topics covered include; human population and its growth; natural resources; pollution of the environment; waste disposal; energy sources and their exploitation; and environmental health hazards, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, flooding, coastal processes, and global climate change.  It is the purposes of this course that students:

• Gain an understanding of the physical processes that operated in and on the earth
• Examine the interactions between on-going geologic processes and humans
• Gain an appreciation of the time scale over which these processes operate
• Learn the basics about environmental issues so that they may make informed decisions

This course satisfies the science elective requirements of the Math-Science curriculum, and so satisfies the science requirement of those curricula, which require science.  This course consists of either three (3), one-hour lecture periods, or two (2) 1-½ hour lecture periods. 

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory.  You are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time, and remain until class is completed.  Tardiness will be counted as an absence.  Make-up times for exams will ONLY be allowed if you have given the instructor prior notification of your absence and have arranged to complete the missed exam or quiz.  Make-up work must be completed within one (1) week of the original exam or quiz.  Frequent absences will lower your course grade.

Academic Honesty: Students are allowed to work together on any exercises handed out in class; however, written class work that is turned in must be in your own words.   Students who hand in identical answers will be subject to disciplinary action. 

All work performed on quizzes & exams are to be performed by you alone, no outside aides will be allowed, except for the use of a ruler or simple mathematical calculator.  Written work for the research paper should be largely in your own words and should utilize proper citation and reference techniques to reference information obtained from sources other than you.  Material that is not properly quoted, cited or referenced will be considered plagiarized.  Any student violating these rules for the exams, quiz & research paper will automatically fail the entire course.

Evaluation: Your final grade will be determined as follows: 1) 25% two short papers; 2) 25% homework assignments & in-class quiz; and 3) 50% exams the average of three (3) exams (including the final which will be comprehensive).

Course Schedule (5^th Edition)

Week	Activity	Reading/Assign.
Jan 23, 2012	Introduction to Environmental Geology Begin What is the Earth made of?  Minerals	Chpt. 1, pp. 3-38
Jan 30, 2012	Cont. Minerals  Begin Rocks (Quiz on Feb 2^nd/3^rd – on Chpt 1 material)	Chpt. 3, pp. 73-107 Chpt 1 questions due
Feb 6, 2012	Plate Tectonics & the Structure of the Earth Feb 9/10^th Topic for 1^st Paper Due (See Assignment#2)	Chpt. 2 pp. 41-69
Feb 13, 2012	Introduction to Natural Hazards Begin: Earthquakes & Seismicity	Chpt. 5, pp. 139-166 Chpt 2 questions due
Feb 20, 2012	Earthquakes & Seismicity  cont./Begin Volcanoes Feb 23/24^th 1^st Paper Due	Chpt. 6, pp. 169-219 (optional read chpt. 7)
Feb 27, 2012	Volcanoes cont. First Exam March 1/2^nd	Chpt. 8, pp. 249-284
Mar 5, 2012	Rivers & Flooding Mar 8/9^th Submit Topic for 2^nd Paper w/ References	Chpt. 9, pp. 287-324 Chpt 8 questions due
Mar 12, 2012	Spring Break – No Classes
Mar 19, 2012	Mass Wasting & Subsidence March 22/23^rd Submit Outline for 2^nd Paper w/ed. references	Chpt. 10, pp. 327-361 Chpt 9 questions due
Mar 26, 2012	Coastal Processes	Chpt. 11, pp. 363-400 Chpt 11 questions due
Apr 2, 2012	Geologic Time Second Exam Apr 5/6^th	Chpt. 1, 9-12, & 27-32, Chpt. 3, pp. 102-106 Appendix D
Apr 9, 2012	Weathering, Soils & Erosion Apr 12/13^th Completed 2^nd Paper Due	Chpt. 17, pp. 587-612
Apr 16, 2012	Water Resources cont. & Water Pollution	Chpt. 13, pp. 429-462 Appendix E
Apr 23, 2012	Water Pollution cont.	Chpt. 14, pp. 465-498 Chpt. 15, pp. 520-531
Apr 30, 2012	Glaciation, Global Climate & Climate Change	Chpt. 18, pp. 617-660
May 7, 2012	Climate Change cont. Review Session
May 9-14, 2012	Final Exam (to be scheduled)

Course Schedule (4^th Edition)

Week	Activity	Reading/Assign.
Jan 23, 2012	Introduction to Environmental Geology Begin What is the Earth made of?  Minerals	Chpt. 1, pp. 3-34
Jan 30, 2012	Cont. Minerals  Begin Rocks (Quiz on Feb 2^nd/3^rd – on Chpt 1 material)	Chpt. 3, pp. 67-96 Chpt 1 questions due
Feb 6, 2012	Plate Tectonics & the Structure of the Earth Feb 9/10^th Topic for 1^st Paper Due (See Assignment#2)	Chpt. 2 pp. 37-64
Feb 13, 2012	Introduction to Natural Hazards Begin: Earthquakes & Seismicity	Chpt. 5, pp. 131-159 Chpt 2 questions due
Feb 20, 2012	Earthquakes & Seismicity  cont./Begin Volcanoes Feb 23/24^th 1^st Paper Due	Chpt. 6, pp. 161-213
Feb 27, 2012	Volcanoes cont. First Exam March 1/2^nd	Chpt. 7, pp. 215-248
Mar 5, 2012	Rivers & Flooding Mar 8/9^th Submit Topic for 2^nd Paper w/ References	Chpt. 8, pp. 251-284 Chpt 7 questions due
Mar 12, 2012	Spring Break – No Classes
Mar 19, 2012	Mass Wasting & Subsidence March 22/23^rd Submit Outline for 2^nd Paper w/ed. references	Chpt. 9, pp. 287-320 Chpt 8 questions due
Mar 26, 2012	Coastal Processes	Chpt. 10, pp. 323-354 Chpt 10 questions due
Apr 2, 2012	Geologic Time Second Exam Apr 5/6^th	Chpt. 1, 5-8, & 27-30, Chpt. 3, pp. 98-102 Appendix D
Apr 9, 2012	Weathering, Soils & Erosion Apr 12/13^th Completed 2^nd Paper Due	Chpt. 16, pp. 527-550
Apr 16, 2012	Water Resources cont. & Water Pollution	Chpt. 12, pp. 381-410
Apr 23, 2012	Water Pollution cont.	Chpt. 13, pp. 413-440 Chpt. 14, pp. 456-465
Apr 30, 2012	Glaciation, Global Climate & Climate Change	Chpt. 19, pp. 605-634
May 7, 2012	Climate Change cont. Review Session
May 9-14, 2012	Final Exam (to be scheduled)

Weekly Course Schedule (3^rd Edition)

Week	Activity	Reading/Assign.
Jan 23, 2012	Introduction to Environmental Geology Begin What is the Earth made of?  Minerals	Chpt. 1, pp. 3-29
Jan 30, 2012	Cont. Minerals  Begin Rocks (Quiz on Feb 2^nd/3^rd – on Chpt 1 material)	Chpt. 3, pp. 58-86 Chpt 1 questions due
Feb 6, 2012	Plate Tectonics & the Structure of the Earth Feb 9/10^th Topic for 1^st Paper Due (See Assignment#2)	Chpt. 2 pp. 30-57
Feb 13, 2012	Introduction to Natural Hazards Begin: Earthquakes & Seismicity	Chpt. 4, pp. 96-119 Chpt 2 questions due
Feb 20, 2012	Earthquakes & Seismicity  cont./Begin Volcanoes Feb 23/24^th 1^st Paper Due	Chpt. 5, pp. 122-166
Feb 27, 2012	Volcanoes cont. First Exam March 1/2^nd	Chpt. 6, pp. 169-200
Mar 5, 2012	Rivers & Flooding Mar 8/9^th Submit Topic for 2^nd Paper w/ References	Chpt. 7, pp. 203-235 Chpt 6 questions due
Mar 12, 2012	Spring Break – No Classes
Mar 19, 2012	Mass Wasting & Subsidence March 22/23^rd Submit Outline for 2^nd Paper w/ed. references	Chpt. 8, pp. 237-267 Chpt 7 questions due
Mar 26, 2012	Coastal Processes	Chpt. 9, pp. 269-295 Chpt 9 questions due
Apr 2, 2012	Geologic Time Second Exam Apr 5/6^th	Chpt. 1, 3-7, & 21-28, Chpt. 3, pp. 89-93 Appendix D
Apr 9, 2012	Weathering, Soils & Erosion Apr 12/13^th Completed 2^nd Paper Due	Chpt. 15, pp. 457-478
Apr 16, 2012	Water Resources cont. & Water Pollution	Chpt. 11, pp. 321-348
Apr 23, 2012	Water Pollution cont.	Chpt. 12, pp. 351-375 Chpt. 13, pp. 391-399
Apr 30, 2012	Glaciation, Global Climate & Climate Change	Chpt. 18, pp. 531-556
May 7, 2012	Climate Change cont. Review Session
May 9-14, 2012	Final Exam (to be scheduled)

Weekly Course Schedule (2^nd Edition)

Week	Activity	Reading/Assgn.
Jan 23, 2012	Introduction to Environmental Geology Begin What is the Earth made of?  Minerals	Chpt. 1, pp. 3-29
Jan 30, 2012	Cont. Minerals  Begin Rocks (Quiz on Feb 2^nd/3^rd – on Chpt 1 material)	Chpt. 3, pp. 61-906 Chpt 1 questions due
Feb 6, 2012	Plate Tectonics & the Structure of the Earth Feb 9/10^th Topic for 1^st Paper Due (See Assignment#2)	Chpt. 2 pp. 31-59
Feb 13, 2012	Introduction to Natural Hazards Begin: Earthquakes & Seismicity	Chpt. 4, pp. 99-122 Chpt 2 questions due
Feb 20, 2012	Earthquakes & Seismicity  cont./Begin Volcanoes Feb 23/24^th 1^st Paper Due	Chpt. 5, pp. 124-169
Feb 27, 2012	Volcanoes cont. First Exam March 1/2^nd	Chpt. 6, pp. 171-203
Mar 5, 2012	Rivers & Flooding Mar 8/9^th Submit Topic for 2^nd Paper w/ References	Chpt. 7, pp. 205-238 Chpt 6 questions due
Mar 12, 2012	Spring Break – No Classes
Mar 19, 2012	Mass Wasting & Subsidence March 22/23^rd Submit Outline for 2^nd Paper w/ed. references	Chpt. 8, pp. 240-270 Chpt 7 questions due
Mar 26, 2012	Coastal Processes	Chpt. 9, pp. 272-298  Chpt 9 questions due
Apr 2, 2012	Geologic Time Second Exam Apr 5/6^th	Chpt. 1, 4-7, & 23-27, Chpt. 3, pp. 93-97 Appendix D
Apr 9, 2012	Weathering, Soils & Erosion Apr 12/13^th Completed 2^nd Paper Due	Chpt. 14, pp. 437-460
Apr 16, 2012	Water Resources cont. & Water Pollution	Chpt. 10, pp. 302-329
Apr 23, 2012	Water Pollution cont.	Chpt. 11, pp. 332-354 Chpt. 12, pp. 368-380
Apr 30, 2012	Glaciation, Global Climate & Climate Change	Chpt. 16, pp. 490-528
May 7, 2012	Climate Change cont. Review Session
May 9-14, 2012	Final Exam (to be scheduled)

Onondaga Community College                  GEO 106: Environmental Geology

Syracuse, NY                                  Spring 2012

Assignment #1

Homework Questions

Introduction:  To increase retention for reading, I am assigning one review question & one critical thinking question (located at the end of each chapter) for Chapters 1, 2, 7, 8 & 10 (or for the 2^nd & 3^rd editions 1, 2, 6, 7 & 9).  You choose which questions to answer.  Generally there are over 10 review questions, and 2 or more critical thinking questions, for each chapter.  So for each chapter, pick one of each and turn them in to me the week following scheduled reading assignment for that chapter (i.e. generally the Thursday/Friday following the week the reading was assigned).  To this end:

· The review questions are generally a short 1-2 paragraph answer; the critical thinking questions should have longer answers (more than half a page). 

· Each assignment will be neatly written or typewritten, and will be properly titled (with chapter number & date) and have your name at the top.  I will discount for poor legibility.

· Questions will be written out with the answers (I repeat write out the question).  I will discount if I need to look up the question you’re answering.

· All answers must be written in complete sentences, and must provide a clear answer.  Poor grammar, spelling, and unclear writing will be discounted. 

· Late assignments will not be accepted without valid excuse. 

· I grade using a check-off system.  A Ö+ is worth ten points, a Ö is worth 9 points, Ö- is worth 8 points, Ö= is worth 7 points, and so on…  I do this so I can grade these more quickly. 

· These grades are then averaged with your quiz grade to determine 25% of your overall grade.

Onondaga Community College                  GEO 106: Environmental Geology

Syracuse, NY                                  Spring 2012

Writing Assignment #2

1-page Opinion Paper

Introduction:  As part of work on writing skills, I am assigning two short papers that together will be 25% of your overall grade.  As outlined on the course syllabus, these papers will be due seven-weeks apart.  For the first paper:

· The first step will involve finding a topic for your opinion paper.   If you do not know a topic you want to write about, you can utilize your text or talk to me.  At the end of each chapter are “Critical Thinking Questions” you can use as a jump off point for your paper.  If nothing strikes you with these, come see me and we can think up some topics for you use for your paper.  You should submit your topic to me by the beginning of class on February 9/10^th, 2012.  Your topic should include a title for your paper and 1-2 sentences describing what you will be writing about.  Note: typewritten submissions only.

· I will edit your topics and return these to you the following Monday.  These submissions will count for 10% of your grade for the first paper.

· Then, taking my edits you will then write your one-page opinion paper and submit this to me to me by the beginning of class on February 23/24^th, 2012  Grading for your paper will follow the format outlined on the attached sheet (titled “Grading Checklist for Geology Research Papers”).

· This paper will be in your own words and should reflect your own opinions.  I will not grade you on whether your opinions are correct but instead on your organization effort of your writing.  So your paper should have the following elements:

¨ It must be, at least, one-page long

¨ It must have a brief introduction that outlines what your paper will cover

¨ It must have a brief conclusion, relating how your topic relates to environmental geology

¨ The body of the paper must be well organized, have supporting details, and have appropriate transitions.  In addition, you must work on making your writing clear, having good syntax, proofreading your paper, and spellchecking. 

Please note the following:

· As noted on the first page of the syllabus, your papers are to be in your own words.  When discussing information from sources other than yourself, this information must be cited (name, year) from the list of sources in your references (i.e. one of the papers, books, etc. listed on your reference page).  If quoting information from a source, quotation marks must be used around the “quoted information,” and this quotation must then be properly cited (name, year). 

· Direct copying of written information, and using information from a source (even when rewriting, and not copying, that information) without proper citation is considered plagiarism.  This is considered a serious breach of academic honesty and will result in an automatic failing grade for the entire course.  If you have any questions regarding proper citation techniques, or if you have concerns about how you are using sources (like, “am I plagiarizing?”), come talk to me either after class or during my office hours.  There is no harm in asking, and I promise to be helpful without being judgmental. 

· This applies to the 2^nd Paper as well.

Onondaga Community College GEO 106: Environmental Geology

Syracuse, NY                                  Spring 2012

Writing Assignment #3

Short Research Paper (3-4 pages)

Introduction:  To continue our work on writing skills, I am assigning a second three-four page research paper.  As outlined on the course syllabus, this paper is due at the end of April.  To this end:

· The first step will involve finding a topic and references for your paper.   Again, if you do not know a topic you want to write about, you can utilize your text or talk to me.  Within each chapter are special sections called “A Closer Look” you can use as a jump off point for your paper.  If nothing strikes you with these, come see me and we can think up some topics for you use for your paper.  You should submit your topic to me by the beginning of class on March 8/9^th, 2012.  Your topic should include a title for your paper, 1-2 sentences describing what you will be writing about, and three references (in an appropriate scientific manner, see the two attached pages for appropriate reference format).  Note: typewritten submissions only. 

· I will edit your topics with references and return these to you the following Monday.  These submissions will count for 10% of your grade for the second paper.

· Then taking my edits to your references, you will then write a short (~½ page bulleted) outline for your paper, and submit this with your corrected references to me by the beginning of class on   March 22/23^rd, 2012.  This outline will provide me with a breakdown of what your paper will cover.  Note: typewritten submissions only. 

· I will edit your outline and references and return these to you the following Monday.  These submissions will count for a second 10% of your grade for the second paper.

· Then, taking my edits you will then write your three-four page research paper and submit this to me to me by the beginning of class on April 12/13^th, 2012  Grading for your paper will follow the format outlined on the attached sheet (titled “Grading Checklist for Geology Research Papers”).

· This paper will be in your own words and should reflect your own opinions.  I will grade you on your organization effort of your writing and the quality of your research.  So your paper should have the following elements:   

¨ It must be, at least, three-pages long (4 pages or more will improve your grade)

¨ It will have a title page

¨ It will have page numbers

¨ It must have an introduction that outlines (summarizes) what your paper will cover

¨ It must have a conclusions, relating how your topic relates to environmental geology and summarize the key points of your paper

¨ The body of the paper must be well organized, have supporting details, and have appropriate transitions.  In addition, you must work on making your writing clear, having good syntax, proofreading your paper, and spellchecking. 

¨ Your paper will have appropriate and correct references and citations.

Please note the following: The warnings for the 1^st paper apply here, read the note at the

bottom of 2^nd assignment here.

Academic Support*

One unavoidable truth about college is that it is not easy.  If it were, everyone would be a college graduate.  How you react to the normal periods of frustration that all students face says a lot about you and directly determines your likelihood of success.   

Many students make the mistake of giving up on themselves too quickly.  Remember, sometimes it’s in struggling with a challenging assignment and actually figuring it out that the most powerful learning happens.   So, at the first sign of trouble, take action:

q Dig Deeper  Don’t quickly give up or immediately ask somebody for help.  Rely on yourself first.   Devote additional study time to the class.   Struggle with it for a while - you’ll be amazed at how often the pieces will begin to fall into place.   At the first sign of trouble, visit me during office hours and I would be happy to give you ideas on how to use your study time most effectively.

q Get Help  Onondaga Community College offers a variety of support services.  If you have given it an honest effort and are still struggling, please come to my office hours so we can determine together what type of support you need to be successful.   Tutoring services require a faculty referral because it is important that we work together as a team.

Successful students take quick action when they are faced with a course that challenges them; they don’t just think about it.   They have the courage and the determination to do what it takes to meet their goals.  They do not give up.  I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity.

                                             *  includes excerpts from Invest in Yourself

                                                by Barbara Risser  McGraw-Hill  1999