Gls210 01 Geomorphology
 Lecture Syllabus -Fall 2009
Lecture WF 11:00-12:15 / L21 (M 12:30-3:20) and L22 (T 2:30-4:50)

General Information

Catalog Description: Experiential-based course that focuses on the role of structure, lithology and process in the evolution of landscapes.  Three lecture hours and three hours of laboratory per week.

  • Instructor: Dr. Lindley Hanson, Ph.D.
  • Office: MH 331E
  • Phone: 978-542-6701
  • Email:  all email will be through WebCt: www.salemstate.edu/webct/
  • Office hrs: T 12:30-2:00 and F 12:30-2:00or by appointment (see schedule)
  • WebCT:  All course materials and email will be accessed through MyWebCourses (WebCt)
  • Homepage: http://www.salemstate.edu/~lhanson/
  • Lab Syllabus: http://www.salemstate.edu/~lhanson/gls210/gls210_ASS_LabSyl.htm

This course focuses on landscapes and the processes that create them. References to contemporary, historical, technological and societal issues will be included as appropriate throughout the course. Methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation are introduced through a variety of lab and field exercises.  

Course Goal, Objectives and Outcomes

Global Goal

  • understand the multifaceted variables responsible for landscape development such as geologic history, tectonics, climate, process, and time.
  • develop and understanding of landforms and processes prevalent in the following physical environments: arid, karst, volcanic, degradational, alluvial, glacial, and coastal.

Essential Questions that you should be able to answer:

  • What is a system?
  • Where does the energy that drives change come from?
  • How do natural processes dissipate energy?
  • How does change drive change?
  • Why are some landforms constructional and other destructional?
  • Why can we learn by studying landscapes?
  • How does man alter landscapes and natural processes?
  • How do natural processes affect man?

Measurable Objectives

Your are expected to:

  1. obtain a functional understanding of the terms and concepts of the discipline (evaluation: participation and quiz performance)
  2. identify landforms in the field, and on maps, DEM's and satellite imagery  (evaluation: successful completion of labs and quiz performance)
  3. recognize the major variables that influence  landscape development (evaluation: participation, completion of labs and quiz performance)
  4. make and record quality field observations (evaluation: field notebook and successful completion of field-based labs)
  5. collect and display measurable data from maps and satellite imagery(evaluation: successful completion of labs and field-based reports)
  6. analyze landforms and interpret the processes that formed them (evaluation: successful completion of labs, quizzes and field exercises)
  7. recognize hazardous areas related to slope instability and flooding (evaluation: successful completion of labs and quiz performance)
  8. apply the scientific method to landscape development by posing one or more hypotheses explaining the development of  a landscape and proving modifying or disproving your hypotheses through research (final project)
  9. develop skills in scientific writing, editing and oral communication (evaluation: successful completion of summary reports, participation in classroom discussions, and final project)
  10. demonstrate a facility for obtaining and understanding professional articles (evaluation: karst challenge and final project)
  11. collaborate successfully with others  (evaluation: On task participation in labs and successful completion of weathering project)

Expectations

I have the following expectations for all students attending this class. Your are expected to:

    1. Come to every class on time and follow instructions. Bring your notebook, labs and lab book to class.
    2. Be prepared.  Read requested assignments.
    3. Read the text and prepare for quizzes.
    4. Participate in online and class discussions.
    5. Help your fellow classmates without doing their work.
    6. Ask questions. Make sure that the lecture content is clear to you before leaving the classroom.
    7. Submit work on time.
    8. Work productively with others. Communicate and participate on task.
    9. Take good notes in the classroom and in the field.
    10. Check Blackboard (WebCt) daily for updates and announcements

Texts and online references

Required

    1. Course Text: Bloom, Arthur, 2004, Geomorphology, A Systematic Analysis of Late Cenozoic Landforms, 3rd ed., ISBN 1-57766-354-3 Waveland Press URL:http://www.waveland.com/Titles/Bloom.htm
    2. GEOS Lab Manual: Exercises in Geomorphology (Prentice Hall Custom Lab Manual)
    3. Composition book (notebook)

Recommended

    1. Physical Geology Text: This course builds upon GLS100.  So you'll require your Physical Geology text to review the basics.
    2. Osterkamp, W. R., 2008, Annotated definitions of selected geomorphic terms and related terms of hydrology, sedimentology, soil science, and ecology: U. S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 2008-1217, 49 p. http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1217/ (pdf).

Online Resources: This course depends on numerous online resources.  You must have a computer to access them.  I will be depending on Webct to administer many aspects of the course, which includes running discussion boards, quizzes and assignments. We will also use laptops for some of the labs.

Require resources and supplies

  • Laptop Computer: You will be using your computer extensively to view images, graph, write, access course material through WebCt and reference materials.
    Recommended Programs and plugins:
    1. Microsoft Office or similar open source software.  (All submitted documents must be doc files)
    2. ImageJ - free image processing software
    3. Google Earth, URL: http://download-earth.org/
    4. Plugins etc.: acrobat reader, flash player, quicktime, realplayer, windows media player
  • Supplies
    1. Notebook: one or more composition books (graph ruled preferred but not required)
    2. HB2 pencils and drafting eraser: Unless otherwise stated all field notes and labs must be competed in pencil
    3. Small set of colored pencils for lab
    4. Calculator and cm scale ruler
  • Recommended
    1. Highly recommended: flash drive for transferring data and backing up assignments
    2. Camera for field trips.  If you don't own a digital camera request digital copies from the developer.

Field Trips:

  • Sept. 25-27 Weekend Field Trip: New England Intercollegiate Geologic Conference (NEIGC): Lyndonville, Vt
  • Oct 10-11 Columbus Day Weekend: Southern New Hampshire Field Trip: Regional geology and geomorphology, streams, mass wasting, glacial deposits, origin and glaciation of Mt Monadnock (Dependent on availability of funds)
    Itinerary (doc) /map of trip locations
  • Lab Field Trips:
    • Forest River Park
    • Marblehead or Lynn Woods (?) - depending on time, weather and transportation

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADE EVALUATION

Assignments and Exams

% of grade

20
  • Labs: Attendance (participation daily quizzes/exam)
30
  • Quizzes (online)

40
  • Final Exam
10

The number of exercises and their point values may change because of unforeseen circumstances. When and if they do this chart will be updated.

Meaning of Grades:

  • A = Excellent knowledge and understanding of material, some evidence of creative thought, confidence in application of principles;
  • B = Good knowledge of material, some minor lack of understanding and confidence in application, little creative thought;
  • C = Fair knowledge of material, significant gaps in understanding, little demonstrated ability in application or creative thought;
  • D = Adequate knowledge and understanding of material; and
  • F = Unacceptable knowledge and understanding of material

Notebook assignment: You are to bring your notebook to class, to lab and on field trips.  In your notebook you are required to record lab and field notes and will be asked to make certain entries during lecture class.  Notebook content will include observations, calculations, questions, concept sketches, notes and summaries.

FYI: For any writing or lab assignment keep this school policy in mind

Writing Skills: The ability to write lucid, well-organized scientific papers or essays is important. No matter what field you eventually pursue, writing is a skill that will enable you to excel.  For this reason, I've incorporated short writing exercises into the course.

The college has a set of minimum writing standards stated in the Undergraduate Catalog. A brief synopsis is given here:

No expository writing assignment submitted for a course will receive a grade of "C" or above unless it has the following:

  • A clear and readily identifiable thesis statement. In geology this is usually in the form of an Abstract.
  • A clear and coherent overall structure
  • Paragraphs with topic sentences and adequate, specified development.
  • Standard but varied sentence structure and expression.
  • Standard usage, punctuation, and spelling.
  • Accurate documentation when necessary. Which means if you got material from some where reference it!

Course Outline


Week
Lecture outline

1
 (9/2-4)

Introduction to the Course/Forest River
  • Part I: Fundamentals of Geomorphology

2
(9/9-11)

Introduction to Geomorphology
  • Part I: Fundamentals of Geomorphology (Part I quiz)

3
(9/16-18)

Tectonic Geomorphology
  • Part II: Cenozoic Tecontonism and Climates

4
(9/23-25)

 
  • Part II continuation (Part II quiz)
5
(9/30-10/2)

Structures and Landforms
  • Chapter 5: Tectonic Landforms

6
(10/7-9)

 Igneous Landforms
  • Chapter 6: Volcanoes (Part III quiz)

7
(10/14-16)

Weathering Processes

Landforms Produced by Weathering
  • Part IVa: Chapter 7: Rock weathering
8
(10/21-23)

Karst
  • Part IVa: Chapter 8:Karst
9
(10/28-30)

Mass wasting

Slopes
  • Part IVa: Mass-wasting  (Part IVa quiz)
10
(11/4-6)

Streams: Intro
  • Part IVb: Fluvial systems (Chapter 10-12)
11
(11/13)

Streams: Class
  • Part IVb: Fluvial systems (cont.)
12
(11/9-10)

Streams: Watersheds
  • Part IVb: Fluvial systems (cont.) (Part IVb quiz)
13
(11/18-20)

 
  • Part IVc: Arid and Periglacial Geomorphology
  • Chapter 13 and 14

14
(11/25-26)

 Thanksgiving

  
15
(12/2-12/4)

 
  • Part IVc: Arid and Periglacial Geomorphology
  • Chapter 13 and 14 (Part IVc quiz)
16
12/9-11

Intro to Glacial Geomorphology
  • Part V: Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology
  • Chapters17 and 18

17
12/14-15

Glacial Geomorphology
  • Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology
  • Chapters17 and 18 (Part V quiz)

 

Rules on Assignments, Labs, Exams and Attendance

LABS

    Lab is 40% of your total grade. All assignments must be turned in by their due dates. Certain written assignment may be resubmitted for a better grade, but only if the original work is turned in on time.

    Lab manual exercises will be reviewed in class and checked for completion and accuracy. Other labs will be turned in for grading. The lab grade is based on participation, assessment of assignments and a follow up quizzes. You must have all assigned laboratory exercises completed  to earn a grade for this course.   See Lab Syllabus for details. http://www.salemstate.edu/~lhanson/gls210/gls210_Labsyllabus.htm

EXAMS AND QUIZZES

    Exams  and quizzes will be based on content and skills covered in the text, lecture, and lab. There will be no make ups for daily lab quizzes.

    Online Quizzes: The online quizzes are to encourage you to read the text and keep up with the material. You will have on to two hours to take an exam depending on length, so you must be prepared.  I strongly sugest that you thoroughly go through the study guide before taking the exam.  If you don't you will do poorly, you will not have time to look up the answers in the time allotted. In order to obtain the full 30 points you must have attempted all online quizzes and earned 500 out of 800 points total.  If you earned less than 500 points your grade will be based on the percentage obtained out of 500 points.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Everyone is expected to attend all classes and labs. Three or more absences will result in automatic failure of the course.  Exceptions will be made for excused absences. 

In case of illness: If your have flue-like symptoms stay home.  Contact me immediately to determine a strategy for keeping/catching up with your work.  I will expect a doctor's note if you miss two or more classes.  If you have a cold wash your hands before and after using departmental computers. (This is not a bad idea anyway for your own protection.) 

Changes to the syllabus:

This is a very ambitious schedule of field trips and assignments. Changes may be necessary due to extenuating circumstances, such as illness or inclement weather or budgetary restrictions.  Changes will be posted on WebCT.

General Rule

You are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all that goes on in class, whether or not your are present. Set up a network of classmates who can take notes and cover for you when you are sick. Classmates can be an incredible resource, use them. Work together, study together, complain together, and learn together. But, if you work together on labs, make sure that you personally understand the material.

Salem State College is committed to non-discrimination of handicapped persons as specified in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973. Students who qualify as handicapped persons under the definition of this act should notify the instructor at the beginning of the course so that reasonable modifications in course requirements can be taken.