GEOLOGY 204

GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF THE EARTH

Spring 2005, http://www.geology.wisc.edu/courses/g204/

Lecture (M&W), discussion (F), laboratory (2 h T, W or R), and required a two all-day field trip April 17&18 to study early Paleozoic history in southern Wisconsin.

Instructors Toni Simo Rm 495 262-5987 simo@geology.wisc.edu
Laurel Goodwin Rm 175 265-4234 Laurel@geology.wisc.edu
Office Hours S:T 9:55 & F 1PM    
Teaching Jennifer Nielsen Rm 474   jnielsen@geology.wisc.edu
Assistants       @geology.wisc.edu
         
Textbook Prothero and Dott 2004 6th Ed Evolution of the Earth, 7 edition
        McGrawHill, 524 p
        http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/007252808087/


EXTRA CREDIT

LECTURES AND DISCUSSION

The course has the objective to study geological processes from a historical perspective. As such, we will focus in events through geologic time, see lecture outline.

The grade will be based in two one-hour exams, a final exam, discussion, and an average for laboratory. The two one-hour exams count 12 % each, the final exam 20%, the discussion 6%, and the laboratory 50 % of the total grade. Improvement is considered at the end. Half-grades (AB,BC) are used for final grading, but not for individual exams. Exams have a mix of short-answer, short discussion, matching, and diagram-based questions. Some multiple-choice questions may be used, especially on the final exam. Material from the laboratory may be incorporated as questions in the lecture exam. Emphasis is more on "How-do-we-know" than "what can we memorize". Make-up exams are given only with prior arrangement.

NOTICE: All day field trips April 23 and 24 required


PREVIOUS COURSES RECOMMENDED

Introductory Physical Geology (Geol. 101 and 100 & 102), Survey of Oceanography (Geol. 105), Environmental Geology (Geol. 106), or Introduction to Geological Structures (Geol. 202) are courses recommended prior to take Geology 204.


LABORATORY

The lab will consist of a “hands on” study of sedimentary rocks and fossils.  In addition, through the interpretation of geologic maps and manipulation of data sets you will interpret ancient environments and historic events recorded in the rock record (see lab schedule).  Your lab grade will consist of the following: 13 lab exercises all equal in worth (50%), lab quizzes (15%), participation and other requirements that the TA will inform you of (5%), and one lab final exam (30%).