The textbook for the course is Physical Geology: Exploring the Earth (third edition) by James Monroe and Reed Wicander. Each student should purchase the text and bring it to class.
The Internet will play an important role in this course. If you have access to the Internet where you live, I encourage you to us these materials from there. Otherwise, you can use the computer labs scattered around campus (many dorms have small ones) or the terminals in the library. DoIT and the library offer a number of introductory workshops (including one on electronic resources) that you may wish to consider taking.
Everyone must obtain an e-mail address. I will make use of a class email distribution list (geo-100@lists.students.wisc.edu) to spread late breaking news - you should definitely make it a habit to check your mail regularly. If you have an established address through an Internet provider off this campus and don't want a 'students.wisc.edu' address that is ok but awkward. (I would suggest that you get a campus address and have one forwarded to the other in this case.) Come see me so that your non-standard address gets linked to the course list. I enourage you to communicate with me via e-mail at pbrown@geology.wisc.edu. You may also find it helpful to communicate with classmates via e-mail.
The "home page" address for the course is http://www.geology.wisc.edu/courses/g100/index.html -- if you forget the address you can locate the materials by first looking at the University of Wisconsin home page at http://www.wisc.edu. Then point and click your way down to the Courses page in the Department of Geology in L&S. You should plan to spend at least one hour per week using the Internet. Any home work exercises, the reading assignments, the project information and trial exams are all on-line.
Grading:
There is only one in-class Mid-term examination scheduled during the semester and a comprehensive Final Examination scheduled during the finals period. The Mid-term examination is worth 100 points. All students will take the "Final" examination which will be worth 200 points.
Project:
In addition, there is one long project. The project is divided into check points when certain material should be handed in for evaluation; the check points are noted on the reading list. The project requires a short paper addressing a specific issue. The various exercises are designed to allow you the opportunity to gather information, manipulate the information, synthesize the information and construct an argument based on what you have learned.
You may decide to work in groups (maximum size of three). The downside is that you will have to police yourselves. Someone (or everyone) must take responsiblity for collecting information and making sure that group assignments are completed. The upside is that you can gain by learning how to work effectively with others.
The Project is worth up to 100 points -- 10 each for the checkpoints and 80 for the final report. Thus, there will be 300 points for the examinations and 100 points for the project. You can work at your own pace but remember that material is to be submitted on or before the published date.