Earth Science (Geol 104) – Grossmont College – Fall 2006

Course No. 5500 (M 2-4:50 pm)

Instructor:  Dr. Chris Hill 
Phone: (619) 644-7342
E-mail: chris.hill@gcccd.edu 
Office: 300A-4

Home page: http://www.grossmont.edu/people/chris-hill

Office Hours: M 9-10:30 am; W 5:30-7 pm; Th 11 am-1 pm; or by appointment

Required text:  Lutgens & Tarbuck, Foundations of Earth Science, 4^th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2005 (no CD is required).

Materials needed:    Required – Grademaster Form #25420 (you will need at least 8) – 4 of these need to be turned in to the instructor on the second day of class.

Recommended – colored pencils, 3x5 index cards for exams

Course Goals:

1. Evaluate and interpret the observed environment in terms of learned geologic, oceanographic, and atmospheric processes,

2. establish the connection between the geologic environment and human activity,
3. analyze and interpret scientific data and methods, and
4. research, synthesize, and communicate scientific information from various resources.

General class and attendance policies:

• Attendance is very important and required; important material will be covered in each class session.  As a result, an absence from even one class meeting will mean catching up on lots of information.  A student with more than two (2) missed class meetings may be dropped from the class. Excessive absence drops will not be reinstated. If you decide to stop attending, you are responsible for administratively dropping the class.

The ultimate drop deadline for this class is 9 November 2006.

• PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY FOR CLASS!!  Do not make a habit of arriving late or leaving early as it causes a disruption for the class.  If you do arrive late, please place any assignments in the appropriate place near the classroom door and quietly take a seat in the rear of the room.  Do not disrupt class by turning in homework or picking up handouts during class session. 
• If, due to an unforeseen emergency, I am running late for a class, you are required to remain in class for fifteen (15) minutes (unless otherwise notified by the Dean's office).  If you do not receive notification to wait for me to arrive, you may leave after 15 minutes with no penalty for absence or assigned work due at that class meeting.  Exception: the final exam will be administered at any time throughout the two-hour exam period. 
• Please, turn off all cell phones, pagers, and watch alarms!!  These are a disruption to the class.
• Please, do not eat or drink during class time.  It distracts your attention in class and disrupts others.
• Please, do not leave and reenter the class while it is in session.  If you must leave class early, let the instructor know before class and sit somewhere close to the door.  YOU MAY NOT LEAVE DURING AN EXAM.
• Please respect the rights of others to enjoy a quiet and successful learning environment.  If I feel that your behavior is disrupting the class, you will be asked to leave and it will be recorded as an absence for that class period.
• Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Student Programs& Services (DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible.  Students may contact DSP&S in person in room 110 or by phone at (619) 644-7112 or (619) 644-7119 (TTY for deaf).

• ASSIGNMENTS:  All assignments must be turned in on or by the due date (they will be collected at the beginning of class);

 NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED
(you are always encouraged to turn them in early). 

You are responsible for knowing when assignments are due and for obtaining them, even if you missed a class when they were handed out.

• EXAMS: ONE (1) MAKE-UP EXAM PER SEMESTER MAY BE TAKEN PROVIDING THAT THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET (any missed exam thereafter will be scored a zero):

1. 1. 1. You must notify me of your excusable absence from the exam prior to or on the day of the absence;
      2. You must take the exam within one week from the date on which the missed exam was given; and
      3. The make-up exam must be taken in my office during scheduled office hours.

Make-up exams will be different from the originally-administered exam and may be more rigorous.

• SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND: The time to earn a grade is during the semester while you still have the time and opportunity to earn the points.  DO NOT ask for extra points or a grade change near the end of a semester or after the semester is over.  Always put in 100% effort, but remember that your grade in this class is not based solely on your effort, but also on your skill level and actual performance.  An A-level grade is not awarded for effort and just completing the assignments.  It reflects a complete understanding of the topic material and an extraordinary performance on the various tasks in the course.

      Final grades will be determined by the following:

            Math Review Assignment                               =            10
            4 preview assignments @ 20 points each        =            80
            Article Review Assignment                             =            20
            3 exams @ 50 pts each                                 =          150
            Final Exam (part comprehensive)                   =            70

            TOTAL                                                                 330 points

Extra Credit:
Up to 10 total points of extra credit may be earned in the class with one of the following two options (you must choose one or the other, you may not do both):

1. Successful completion of online exercises available on my web site. 
2. Successful completion of problem sets available on my web site.

DEADLINE: EXTRA CREDIT MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MY OFFICE OR MAILBOX BY FRIDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2006!!  No e-mail submissions will be accepted.  Don't wait until the last minute to decide you need extra credit.

Grade Assignment: You are responsible for earning the grade that you receive.  I am merely the keeper of the points.  Grades are based on the following percentage of total points:

A =  90 - 100% (min. 297 pts)
B =  80 - 89% (264 – 296 pts)
C =  68 - 79% (224 – 263 pts)
D =  58 - 67% (191 – 223 pts)
F = < 58% (< 191 pts)

USE THIS GRID TO HELP KEEP TRACK OF YOUR GRADES IN THE CLASS.

Approximate Course Schedule – Fall 2006

Exam Schedule and Assignment Due Dates

Use the table below to keep track of exam dates and assignment due dates for your class period.  Exams must be taken and assignments must be turned in during your scheduled class period only (or by arrangement).

DR. HILL'S SECRETS TO SUCCESS

(or how to stay out of the doghouse)