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COURSES TAUGHT:  Click on each course title for course syllabus,  lecture notes, and class assignments

COURSE SYLLABUS:

ESCI111: Introduction to Physical Geology & Physical Geography

Instructor:     Dr. Francis O. Odemerho
Office:             Alumni Hall, Room 1402
Website Address: www.siue.edu/~fodemer
Phone:  (618)650-2097              Email:  fodemer@siue.edu
Textbook:    Hamblin, W. K. and E. H. Christiansen (1998). Earth’s Dynamic Systems.
                        Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 8th Edition

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course identifies and describes the geologic materials that make up the earth’s crust and 
explains the role of past and present geologic processes in changing the character of the earth 
surface over geologic time.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

In this course students should be able to:

  • recognize the common minerals and rocks of the earth crust
  • understand the place of plate tectonics and other geologic processes in the development of the landscape
  • understand the geologic time scale and the methods of its derivation

COURSE OUTLINE

TOPICS                SUBJECT MATTER                           READINGS

1.        Introduction to the planet earth                                     1, 2, 9 and 25
           Computer Lab #1 - Hydrological Cycle

2.        Structure of the Earth and Rock bodies                        1, 7, 9, 18 and 23
           Computer lab: #2 - Plate Tectonics

3.         Earth’s Crust Dynamics and Plate Tectonics               17, 19, 20, 21, 22
            Computer lab: #3 - Chemicals of Life 1                      and 23

4.         Matter and Minerals of the Earth Crust                       3                 
            Self-tutorial lab: #1 - Minerals

5.         Volcanism and Igneous Rocks                                   4 and 22
            Self-tutorial lab: #2 - Igneous Rocks
            Computer lab: #4 - Volcanoes

6.         Weathering and Sedimentary Rocks                         5 and 10
            Self-tutorial lab: #3 - Sedimentary Rocks

7.         Metamorphic Rocks                                                6
            Self-tutorial lab: #4 - Metamorphic Rocks

8.         Age Classification of Rocks and the Geologic
            Time Scale                                                               8

9.         Major Earth Surface Structures and Landforms        7, 11 and 23

10.         Earth Surface Processes and Landforms                11, 12, 14 and 13

EXAMINATION POLICY: Four quizzes are during the semester. The 4th quiz is the 
final examination. Each quiz is worth 25 points. The best three will be used for your grade calculation. 
Five class assignments will also be given, each assignment is 10 points. The best four will be used 
for your grade calculation. Four computer labs and four self-tutorial labs will be assigned with a total 
of 20 points. The four computer labs are due on the day of quiz #2 and the four self-tutorial labs are 
due on the day of the final. Class attendance is compulsory and 40 points will be awarded for 
perfect attendance.

SUMMARY OF DISTRIBUTION OF SCORES:

                                                                                            POINTS

Three Quizzes (3)                                                                    75
Computer/Self-tutorial labs (8)                                                 20
Class Assignments (4)                                                              40
Class Attendance                                                                     40
                                                                                              ------
GRAND TOTAL                                                                    175
                                                                                              ------

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR COMPUTER LABS.

On clean sheets of paper:

  • Write your names very clearly at the top of the sheet

    •
  • Write the title of the lab very clearly below your name
  • Sub-divide your lab into sections A, B, C......... and the title for each section must 
    be clearly written out
  • Below your lab title write: Section A - Tutorial Questions
  • Number all the questions you encounter beginning from number 1 and write out the 
    answer to the question only
  • Answer all questions, quizzes, etc, you come across
  • Each set of questions should be answered under different sections. For example, all 
    mix and match questions should be given a new section (Section B Mix and Match 
    Questions) and so on
  • You must submit your labs in a folder on the due dates.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Your seat during the second day of class will be your permanent seat throughout the 
    semester. A student will be recorded as absent from class if his or her seat is empty anytime, 
    15 minutes after the class has started.
  • Attendance is compulsory. Absence from classes for more than six times will result in a 
    one-step drop in the final grade. Absence for more than 8 times will result in a grade of "E."
  • All class assignments and labs are compulsory and must be done to meet the minimum
    requirement for the award of a grade
  • Any student found chatting with another student during classes will be thrown out of the
    class and advised to withdraw from the course if the problem persists.
  • All quizzes and examinations must be taken, no exceptions.

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GEOG111: INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY

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GEOG210: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

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GEOG315: GEOMORPHOLOGY

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GEOG332: AFRICA

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GEOG520: RESEARCH METHODS