Course Information and Logistics
Lecture: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:40-1:30 pm, PSH 450; Lab: Thursdays 1:40-4:30 pm, PSH 450 or in the field.
Instructor: Prof. Ramón Arrowsmith (ramon.arrowsmith@asu.edu); PSF 640; Office hours: Tuesdays 2-3 pm or by appointment.
Teaching Assistant: Josh Coyan (joshua.coyan@asu.edu); PSF 570; Office hours: Mondays 12:30-1:30 or by appointment
Texts: Structural Geology of Rocks and Regions, 2nd Ed., 1996. This text describes geologic structures, how to map and describe them, their significance, and the underlying physical processes of rock deformation. In some cases, we will rely on the book to explain some topics that, although important, we will not talk about much in class. Some topics that we will talk about are not really covered in the book. The What-to-know List (handed out in class) is your guide to what's important. I will also supplement the reading with handounts from Structural Geology: An Introduction to Geometrical Techniques (4th ed. draft), by Ragan and Arrowsmith and other papers and texts.
Labs: The lab will be very hands on, either taught in PSH 450, in the field, or in the computer lab (PSH 461). In addition, the lecture will include some lab-style activities. Lecture and lab are scheduled back-to-back on Thursday so we can go into the field for the entire time.
My goals: This is probably the most important course in geology that you will take. You will learn about the geometry, mechanics, and processes of rock deformation, as well as important graphical, computer, and field techniques that you will be expected to know in advanced geology courses. This course is partially a typical review of knowledge, but also it is a presentation of techniques. I hope that you will be able to visualize in 3-D, gain intuition about the processes and geometry of the deformation of rocks, and appreciate how to use structural geology to solve important probelms including reconstructing geologic history, assessing geologic hazards, and finding natural resources (water, minerals, energy).
Your Grade: Your grade in Geology 310 will be based upon a total of about 1000 points consisting of:
- Six short application exercises during the semester, spaced approximately every two weeks, and each worth 50 points (total 300 points)
- One or more in-class exercises each week, totaling 50 points
- Homework assignments for a total of 200 points
- Research/writing assignment, 3-5 pages long, worth 100 points
- Poster presentation summarizing research project, worth 50 points
- Lab exercises, including several lab-time field trips and one weekend field trip, totaling 225 points
- Final exam worth 100 points.
Grades will not be assigned on a curve. There is not a predetermined number of As, Bs, or Cs. You are competing against my expectations, not your classmates. I have different expectations for any graduate students taking this course. I will occasionally post point totals so you can see how you are doing. The way to get a good grade in this course is consistent productivity. Don't miss any assignments, and keep up with the lectures, the labs, and the reading. If you have questions or difficulties, see me or Josh.
Application Exercises: Each application exercise will be approximately 30 minutes and generally completed at the start of Tuesday's class time, approximately every other week. Each exercise will consist of problems to be solved and questions to be answered, derived from material covered in lecture and lab during the last several weeks (i.e., since the last appl. exercise). At least half of the problems and questions will be derived from material covered in lecture, but perhaps as much as 40% could be from assigned reading. Use the What-to-know list as your guide of what to study. I strongly discourage missing these exercises. If you miss one due to an excused (OK'd by me beforehand) absence, then I MAY permit you to make it up. Missing an exercise due to an unexcused absence will result in a zero for it.
In-Class Assignments: These will include individual or group exercises. For most assignments, you will be given a hand-out, geologic map, or figure, or shown a color slide of some structurally interesting feature, and will be asked to make some observations, interpretations, or measurements, or to solve some problem. Because of the nature of these assignments, it is very difficult to make these up; make-ups will be permitted only in very special circumstances.
Homework Assignments: These assignments will allow you to apply knowledge you have learned in class or lab. You may be asked to reconstruct the sequence of geologic events, complete a geologic map, draw a geologic cross-section, solve a geometric problem, or other assignments. In some cases, you will be asked to answer an item on the What-to-know list as preparation for the next application exercise.
Research Assignment: This assignment, due on December 2, will be 3-5 pages of double-spaced typed text (12 pt font like Times Roman). The assignment is to make some structural observations and measurements, or even a small geologic map, for any nearby geologic locality (of your choosing) and explain the geometry and deformation and interpret it in terms of geologi history and geologic processes. The paper must include at least 2 figures (they don't count towards the length) illustrating some aspect of your research. These figures can be anything (cartoon, sketch, simplified geologic cross-section, geologic map), but should be something you illustrate yourself. It should be neat, perhaps colored, but need not be drafted. You will also prepare and present a poster, consisting of several figures, a summary, and bullet lists outlining key points about your research project.
Two classmates must review your written paper before turning it in. Your should give them a typed, double-spaced draft of your paper and drafts of the figures and they will write corrections and suggestions on the draft, and then sign the bottom. You should incorporate their suggestions (at least those that are valid) into your final paper, and turn in the copies of your classmate's reviews along with your final paper. One of the best ways to write is edit someone else's writing. You will lose points if you do not get two meaningful reviews on a typed draft (not the final draft) of your paper--someone simply signing your final paper but making no comments or saying "Good job" is not a sufficient review!
Lab Exercises: These will include various activities, such as completing computer modules, constructing geologic maps, projecting contacts, drawing cross-sections, making stereoplots, and solving geometric and other structural problems. Some will be done out in the field.
Field Trips: Geology is best seen, learned and taught outdoors. During the semester, there will be several field trips conducted during the lab period and one weekend field trip (Saturday and Sunday). These will visit nearby world-class geology. The weekend field trips will traverse farther from Phoenix. You must attend the weekend field trip and write up a short field trip summary. ASU will provide transportation. Further information will be provided as the trip approaches.
Final Exam: The final exam will cover four major topcs rather than being fully comprehensive. The topics will be determined by me, Josh, and the students together. The exam will be 50 minutes long and take place the last day of classes, December 7.
Web Site: The class web page, which has this syllabus, the schedule, lecture and lab notes, and links is a at the following url: http://www.public.asu.edu/~arrows/structure/.
Note: Any student who feels that he or she may need accommodations for any sort of physical or learning disability, please speak to me after class, make an appointment to see me, or see me during my office hours.
Last modified: August 30, 2004