Physical Geology – SCI 103 YA

Room C214 - Summer 2007

Course Outline

 

 

 

Prof. Altmann

(516) 572-8095

quartz103@yahoo.com

 

Class Website:  http://www3.ncc.edu/faculty/sci/altmana/

Fax: (516) 572-0651

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

SCI 103 YA, Physical Geology, is part of the College of the Air Program and will combine a distance learning component with a traditional laboratory period.  On Sundays at 9:00 am we will meet for lab in room C214 at Nassau Community College.  On these days we will be performing laboratory exercises and experiments based upon the material covered during the online and video portions of the course.  Therefore it is imperative that you watch the appropriate video each week.  The course objective is to provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to Geology.  The subject matter emphasizes the features of the earth, rocks and minerals, and earth's place in space.

 

For the distance learning component, students will complete assignments, and send and receive materials using the Internet and WebCT. 

 

 

VIDEOTAPE INFORMATION

 

The “Earth Revealed” videos for this course are available for rental from the College of the Air office. The fee for these programs is $25.00. A check or money order, made payable to the NCC Foundation is required and is a non-refundable fee. Videos must be returned at the completion of the course. Student records will be impounded for failure to return the videotapes. The College of the Air office is located at 351 Harmon Avenue (Phone - 516-572-7883 Email – coa@ncc.edu).  On demand streaming video is available from www.learner.org

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

In order to make it easier for you to determine how well you are doing, you should record all grades received in the following areas.  Each time you receive a grade record it in the appropriate area.  Your final grade will be determined by the following formula:

 

Homework

10%

Lecture Exams

40%

Labs

30%

Lab Exam

20%

                            

 

1. All exams are given in class.  There are NO makeup labs or exams.  In order to perform well on these exams it is imperative that you take adequate notes during lecture, keep up with reading assignments, visit the WebCT course homepage, and actively participate in all laboratory exercises.  The laboratory exercise with the lowest grade will be dropped. 

 

 2. You will have regular homework assignments.  Along with all other assignments, homework must be handed in on the due date.  No late work is accepted.  Reading the chapters carefully and watching the chapter video will help you answer homework questions. It is strongly suggested that you watch the appropriate video segments each week.

 

 3. No student shall receive academic credit for this course unless they are properly enrolled.  Students will not be signed into this course at a later date.  Occasionally a student is allowed to enter the class after the official start date of the semester.  That student will be responsible for all work, labs, reports, etc. that was missed.  Many times the work cannot be made up and it should be understood that late entry might affect the student’s final grade. 

 

4. You should consider dropping this course if you have existing conflicts that will make you late or absent on a regular basis.  More than one absence will result with a final grade of W or F.  Excessive lateness and/or absenteeism, behavior in class, quality of work, adherence to due dates, and test grades are used for evaluation of the final grade.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE MATERIALS

 

1. Textbook:  Earth: Portrait of a Planet - latest edition by Marshak

2. A calculator

3. ANSI Z87.1 approved safety goggles

4. A pen, pencil, notebook for lecture notes, folder for labs

                                                  

WHAT IF I NEED HELP DURING THE SEMESTER?

 

If at any time during the semester you feel that you need extra help with a topic, do not hesitate to seek me out.  I will arrange to meet with you at a mutually agreeable time.

 

If you have a physical or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the staff in the Center for Students with Disabilities at 358 Davis Avenue, 572-7241, TTY 572-7617.  All information and documentation of disability are confidential.