GLY 261: Physical Geology
SUNY College at Cortland
Geology Department

Semester:

Fall 2014

Phone:

753-2816

Lecture:

Bowers 1129
TR 11:40-12:55

Office:

Bowers 325

Lab:

Bowers 1011
Tuesday 1:15-4:05 OR
Thurs. 1:15-4:05

M & W 10:30-12:00 Tues 1-2

Marshak, S., 2013, Essentials of Geology. W.W. Norton & Co., pub., 1st or 2nd or 3rd or 4th edition.

Darling, R.S., 2010, Physical Geology Laboratory Manual

Course Description:

Principles of physical geology. Earth materials, intracrustal forces and products, agents of gradation and their physiographic expression. Laboratory study includes minerals, rocks, topographic and geologic maps, simple geologic structures. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory, field trips. Primarily for science, math and geography majors.
Not open to students with credit for GLY 160 or 171.

Grading:

1st Hour Exam:	20%
2nd Hour Exam:	20%
Final (cumulative):	25%
Lab exams:	29%
Written Assignments:	6%
Total:	100%

Attendance Policy:

You are expected to attend lecture and lab. I will not be formally taking attendance; however, exam questions are derived from lecture material. Therefore, students who regularly attend lectures will have a decisive advantage over those who do not. If you miss an exam, lab or the field trip, you will be given a chance to make them up only if your absence was a valid absence. Valid absences are those due to approved College activities (see the College Handbook regarding this policy) or due to illness (email my office ASAP). It is always best to talk to me about an expected valid absence before it occurs, when possible, so that we can work out a make up time. NOTE: taking the SGA bus home early for Fall or Thanksgiving break is NOT a college-valid excuse for missing class.

Field Trip:

The field trip is scheduled for lecture and lab time, and is required. There will be questions on one of the lecture exams on the material. If you miss the field trip for any non-valid reason, you will automatically receive a zero (0) on those questions on the exam.

Disablility Statement:

If you are a student with a disability and wish to request accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Disability Services located in B-1 Van Hoesen Hall or call (607) 753-2066 for an appointment. Information regarding your disability will be treated in a confidential manner. Because many accommodations require early planning, requests for accommodations should be made as early as possible.

Useful links:

Syllabus

SUNY Cortland Geology Department web page

EPA Radon Web page: Information on Radon in homes.

USGS Earthquake Web page: the latest earthquakes around the globe.

USGS Volcano Web page: Information on all volcanoes in the U.S.

Tsunami model: from NOAA: scroll down on that page to find the animation.

USGS National Streamflow Map: Information on discharge and stage of U.S. rivers.

USGS Mineral Information page: Information on mineral resources in the USA and in the world.

USGS Tully Farms Landside: Information on the 1993 Tully Farms Rd landslide.

Lead in Drinking Water: EPA page with information on what to do if you suspect there is lead in your tap water.

The Liquid Earth: Article from The Atlantic Monthly, January, 1999, on landslides.

Paleoclimatology: Info about past climate on Earth: what is was and how scientist figure it out.

More Paleoclimatology: The actual data for the paleoclimate over the last 1000 years.

Earth: The Operator's Manual:You can watch the video here.

Asbestos in your home: The EPA's webpage about what to do if you suspect you have asbestos in your home.

Asbestos Institute: Lots of information on Asbestos use and controversy.

Lab Links:

Geology and Topography: Dr. S. Reynolds's webpage of how topograpy and geologic layers interact to create the map
patterns (outcrop patterns) we see on geologic maps.

Geology Blocks: Dr. S. Reynolds's webpage with inteactive blocks of folded and faulted layers to help you understand what these things look like in three-dimensions.

Baguette Geology and Topography: Photos of a bread analogy for the "Rule of V's".

Igneous Rocks: Information on and photos of igneous rocks put together by James Madison Univeristy.

Sedimentary Rocks: Information on and photos of sedimentary rocks put together by James Madison Univerisity.

Metamorphic Rocks: Information on and photos of metamorphic rocks put together by James Madison University.

Virtual Earthquake: a link to an internet earthquake exercise.

Study Guides:

Exam I Study Guide

Exam II Study Guide

Study Guide for material presented after the Second Hour Exam.