GEL 20 mechanics/syllabus

[ Course Syllabus ] [ Course Notes ] [ Final Grades ]

[ Final exam distribution ] [ Final grade distribution ]

Geology 20: This course focuses on the geologic history of California, the origin of mountain ranges, basins and other landforms, and developing a deeper appreciation of California landscapes.

Textbook: California Geology (2004, 2nd ed.) by Deborah Harden.

Reading this text selectively to enhance your understanding of topics discussed in lecture will almost certainly improve your final grade. The textbook is well written and is very useful for the figures that it contains. You will find it a very important supplement to the lecture material in the class.

A copy of this book is on reserve in Shields Library. A used copy of the 1999 first edition is more than enough to help you understand the notes (although page numbers may be off from the syllabus).

Outlines of notes and selected images for individual topics/lectures will be posted on the class website a day or two before or a day or two after each class (depending on my schedule). The notes are relatively comprehensive and should be used in conjunction with class attendance and readings from the textbook - they are not a substitute for coming to class. Skipping class because you can 'get the notes' is a recipe for disaster.

Print the notes to use as a guide during class, annotate them with details from the lectures, and study them for exams. Try to study the notes as soon after the class period as you can to help lock in the information and sharpen your understanding. The notes need to be supplemented by selectively reading the relevant pages in the book. They are available at GEL 20 notes. The notes are password protected - I'll provide you with the password in class.

photo Yosemite Class Structure:
Geology is perhaps the most visual of sciences. It is much more exciting and fun to see features of California geology than it is to read about them. So in the absence of fieldtrips (a bit unwieldy with >150 people), you'll see lots and lots of images, a few video clips and a few Quicktime movies.

I strongly encourage you to speak up in class - any question is legitimate and I'll take the time to answer it.

Come to class - You'll spend much less time during the hour you spend listening to me and watching slides than you will trying to teach the material to yourself from notes and the book. In my experience over 12 years of college instruction, the students who come to class invariably get the best grades. This class should not be difficult - With just a moderate amount of time, energy, and concentration, you can earn an A or B and propel yourself on to fame, fortune, and a six-figure income.

Exams and Grading:

Midterm - Thursday, Feb. 7 = 45%
Final - Saturday, March 22, 1:00-3:00 = 55%

Exams will be all multiple choice - be forewarned, I can make a tough multiple choice exam that will make you think, not just spew memorized notes.

I don't give extra credit assignments. (Hint: do well on the midterm so you won't need to ask for extra credit.)

NO EARLY EXAMS OR MAKEUP EXAMS.

Final grades will be determined on a curve based on the total points accumulated on both exams. Typically 25% get an A, 40% get a B, 30% get a C.

To read an email exchange about how to study for my exams, go to emailquestion.

GEL 20: California Geology - Winter 2008

We'll try to stay as close to this schedule as possible
but be ready for evolving dates and topics (except for exams, of course).

Week of:	Lecture Topic:	Reading:
Jan. 8	Introduction; Tour of California's Geologic Provinces	p. 63-64
Jan. 10-15	Cascade Range; Volcanic Processes	Ch. 5 p. 22-26
Jan. 17-22	Plate Tectonics & the Cascades	Ch. 1
Jan 24-31	Geologic Time; Deserts; Basin & Range; Mojave Desert; Sedimentary Processes	Ch. 3, 6, 7 p. 26-31
Feb. 5	Plate Tectonics & eastern California	Ch. 1
Feb. 7	Midterm (50 minutes, bring Scantron 2000)
Feb. 12-14	Sierra Nevada; Lake Tahoe; Accreted Terranes	Ch. 8; p. 31-33
Feb. 19-21	Gold, Glaciers & Ice Ages; Klamath Mtns.	Ch. 8, 9
Feb. 26-28	Great Valley; Coast Ranges	Ch. 11, 12
March 4-6	San Andreas Fault; Southern California	Ch. 14, 16
March 11-13	California Coastline; Evolution of California through Time	Ch. 15, 18
March 22	Final Exam - Saturday 1:00-3:00 (covers 1/8 to 3/13 - bring Scantron 2000)

Interested in the broader aspects of science, without all the specifics of many upper division classes? Then consider the Natural Sciences major at UCD.