Northeastern Illinois University
ESCI 123 Geology, Resources and Environment


Dr. Karen Bartels 
Office: Main Campus, Science Building Room 146
Phone: (773) 442-6052 
E-mail: K-Bartels@neiu.edu
Web page: http://www.neiu.edu/~kbartels/bartels.htm
Office Hours:  Tuesday 3-5 p.m., Wednesday 2-3 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.-noon, or by appointment


Course Description
 Objectives
 Outline of Topics
Textbook
Structure of the Course
 Requirements
Grading Policy
Handouts & Study Guides
Links

Link to Photos

Course Description:  [From NEIU catalog]  Earth, its structure, composition and resources.  Mineral and energy resources, their formation and distribution, their supply and demand projections for the future.  Water resources and water quality.  Environmental impact of resources, nuclear and other waste disposal, geologic aspects of earthquake and volcanic hazards.  Lecture 3 hours.  PREREQ: Intermediate Algebra.

Required text: Environmental Geology, (seventh edition) by Carla W. Montgomery (McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 2005).   Visit the companion website at  http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072528168/information_center_view0/

Course Objectives:  By the end of the course, you should be able to:

These objectives integrate knowledge of geology with real world applications and ways of thinking about our natural environment.  All of us should be able to make informed decisions about our behavior as individuals (should I buy that house located on a floodplain?) as well as public policy matters (should I support drilling for oil in the Alaskan Wilderness?).  What we learn in this class will help us toward that goal.

COURSE OUTLINE (subject to revision)

Aug 31            Earth as a System and Earth’s Spheres            Chapter 1
Sep 7              Earth Materials and Cycles   
Chapter 2 and Chapter 6
Sep 14            Water: Hazards and Resources   
Chapter 6 and Chapter 10   
Sep 21            Quiz 1; Continuation of Groundwater Resources   

Sep 28           Waste Disposal and Water Pollution   
Chapter 15 and 16    
Oct 5             Fossil Fuels: Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal   
Chapter 13   
Oct 12          Continuation of Fossil Fuels; Air Pollution   
Chapter 17
Oct 19           Quiz 2; Climate Change   
Chapter 9
Oct 26          Climate Change, continued     

Nov 2           Coastal Processes   
Chapter 7   
Nov 9           Earthquake Hazards   
Chapter 4
Nov 16         Quiz 3; Volcanic Hazards   
Chapter 5
Nov 30         Near-Earth Objects   
Handouts
Dec 7            Catch up

Dec. 14Final EXAM  

COURSE STRUCTURE:  Class sessions will typically be a combination of lecture, discussion, group work, and hands-on activities.   To check that we are making good progress in the class, we will use a type of classroom assessment technique called “Muddiest Points” or “Minute Paper.”  The assessments are designed to check whether I am communicating concepts clearly and whether you are learning the concepts effectively.  They are completely anonymous –it is not a test of what you know, but rather a check on how we are progressing.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE:  Regular attendance is expected.

EXAMS:  The instructor shall give three quizzes during the term, lasting no more than one hour each.  Only the best 2 of 3 quizzes shall count towards the student’s final course grade.  The quizzes may consist of materials from lectures, in-class assignments, or reading assignments.  No make-up quizzes.  The instructor shall give one final exam, lasting no more than two hours.  The exam shall consist of materials from lectures, in-class assignments, or reading assignments.  No make-up exams.  The Final Exam is on Friday, December 14 from 9:10 – 11:10 AM.

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:  Student’s are graded for their participation in class exercises throughout the semester.  

GRADES: 

Quizzes (3 total; drop 1 lowest)       150 points         A = 350 – 390 points
Weekly activities                             140                   B = 310 – 349
Final Exam                                     100                    C = 270 – 309
    Total:                                         390 points          D = 230 – 269
                                                                                F = 0 – 229

Incompletes will be given only in accordance with University policies as published in the catalog.    

Important information useful for all of your courses:

Drop Date for Fall 2007 is Friday, November 9.

Student Responsibilities and Academic Integrity:

“Each student is responsible for knowledge of, and adherence to, all University requirements and regulations.” [From NEIU 2002-2003 catalog, p.30]

NortheasternIllinoisUniversity students are expected to exhibit the highest standards of academic integrity.Academic misconduct such as plagiarism or cheating is unacceptable and will be investigated in accordance with University policy on academic misconduct. (See Student Survival Kit)” [From NEIU 2002-2003 catalog, p. 31]

EXPECTATIONS:  My expectations for students in my classes are pretty standard.  Basically they are the same as outlined in this list of guidelines copied from the Sociology Home Page at NEIU 

(http://orion.neiu.edu/~sociolgy/guidelines.html)


© 2005Karen S. Bartels
Last updated November 29, 2007.
 









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