GEOL 1404:
A comprehensive survey of the history of life and major events in the physical development of Earth as interpreted from rocks and fossils. Laboratory activities will introduce methods used by scientists to interpret the history of life and major events in the physical development of Earth from rocks and fossils.
Prerequisites
TSI Reading complete
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
Empirical and Quantitative Skills – to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
Teamwork – to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goa
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe how the application of the scientific method has led to our current understanding of Earth history.
- Explain the historical development of Geology as a science and how it was influenced by early interpretations of fossils and the theory of evolution.
- Communicate how principles of relative and numerical age dating have been used to develop the Geologic Time Scale.
- Describe the processes involved in the formation and differentiation of the Earth and identify major milestones in the physical evolution of the planet.
- Identify the major milestones in the evolution of life from its initial inorganic stages, through development of the major animal and plant groups, to mass extinctions.
- Explain how rocks and fossils are used to interpret ancient environments.
- Identify the major tectonic events in the geologic evolution of North America.
A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives section of this syllabus.
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
- Nature of scientific inquiry
- Theory of Plate Tectonics
- Formation and classification of minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks
- Mechanical and chemical weathering processes, soil erosion
- Geologic time and fossils
- Geologic time scale
- History of the geography, climatology, topography and biology of the planet from the Precambrian to Quaternary.
This course is offered fully online. Lecture material will be delivered via textbook reading assignments and pre-recorded Powerpoint presentations. Homework assignments for lecture will be submitted through Canvas.
Lab material will be delivered by reading assignments in students’ lab manual and assignments submitted through Canvas. Students will complete a group lab project, due at the end of the semester. This will consist of students addressing a current issue in geology and creating a Powerpoint presentation with audio about this topic. Students do not need to be in the same location to complete this assignment, and virtual meetings are encouraged.
All lecture exams must be taken at a proctored testing center. Lab assignments may be completed on a home computer.
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
- Midterm Lecture Exams – 15%
- Lecture Final Exam – 15%
- Weekly Lecture Homework – 35%
- Weekly Lab Assignments - 25%
- Lab Final and Lab Project – 10%
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/studentservices/student-support/disability-support-services for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)