Historical Geology Fall 2018
GEOL 210-001, 3 credits
TR 9:30-10:45 in Sims 111
Instructor: Dr. Diana Boyer
Office: Sims 212B
e-mail: boyerd@winthrop.edu
Office hours: Mondays 1:30-3, Thursday 8:30-9:30 am and by appointment.
Text: Earth System History, 2009, Steven Stanley, Freeman, New York, 567p. 4th edition-required
Course Objective: Through the course of this semester we will take a chronological tour of the geologic record-some highlights to the right. This is a comprehensive course that covers a broad range of topics from rock types to plate tectonics to paleontology to ancient climates. We will start with an introduction to some fundamental principles of geology and processes that shape the rock record. We will then travel through time starting in the Precambrian highlighting some of the major tectonic, biotic, and climatic events through the history of the Earth.
Grading:
6 in class quizzes-lowest score dropped 20%
In class/homework assignments 15%
Writing Assignments 15%
3 exams (10% each) 30%
Final Exam 20 %
Grading Scale:
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A |
92-100 |
A- |
90-91.9 |
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B+ |
88-89.9 |
B |
82-87.9 |
B- |
80-81.9 |
|
C+ |
78-79.9 |
C |
72-77.9 |
C- |
70-71.9 |
|
D+ |
68-69.9 |
D |
62-67.9 |
D- |
60-61.9 |
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Tentative schedule of topics* |
Reading |
Assignments* |
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Aug 21 |
Introduction to time and rocks |
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Aug 23 |
Geologic time, plate tectonics |
Chap 1 |
Why study hist. geology? |
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Aug 28 |
Rocks and minerals |
Chap 2 |
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Aug 30 |
Period paper assign, Fossils and life |
Chap 3 |
Writing assign (#1) |
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Sep 4 |
Diversity of life |
Chap 3 |
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Sep 6 |
Evolution |
Chap 3, 7 |
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Sep 11 |
Sedimentary environments |
Chap 5 |
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Sep 13 |
Stratigraphy and time |
Chap 6 |
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Sep 18 |
Exam 1 |
Chap 1-7 |
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Sep 20 |
Plate tectonics & mountain building |
Chap 9-10 |
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Sep 25 |
In class paper presentations |
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Sep 27 |
Formation of Earth, Hadean |
Chap 11 |
Period paper (#2) |
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Oct 2 |
Proterozoic |
Chap 12 |
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Oct 4 |
Cambrian-Ordovician |
Chap 13 |
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Oct 9 |
Silurian-Devonian |
Chap 14 |
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Oct 11 |
Carboniferous |
Chap 15 |
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Oct 16 |
Permian, Triassic |
Chap 15-16 |
Writing assign (#3) |
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Oct 18 |
Triassic |
Chap 16 |
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Oct 23 |
Jurassic |
Chap 17 |
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Oct 25 |
Exam 2 |
Chap 11-16 |
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Oct 30 |
Cretaceous |
Chap 17 |
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Nov 1 |
Cretaceous |
Chap 17 |
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Nov 6 |
Election Day |
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Nov 8 |
Paleogene |
Chap 18 |
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Nov 13 |
Neogene |
Chap 19 |
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Nov 15 |
Holocene |
Chap 20 |
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Nov 20 |
Exam 3 |
Chap 16-19 |
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Nov 22 |
Thanksgiving |
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Nov 27 |
Holocene |
Chap 20 |
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Nov 29 |
Review |
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Dec 7 |
Final Exam Friday 11:30 am |
All material |
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*This schedule is subject to change