Summer SEMESTER 2016 ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

INSTRUCTOR: MICHAEL J. FARABEE, Ph.D. TELEPHONE: (623) 935-8455

EMAIL: Michael.Farabee@estrellamountain.edu OFFICE: MON 239, Montezuma Hall
OFFICE HOURS:

by appointment during summer session

CLASS MEETS: ONLINE

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION
GEOLOGY 101 is intended to introduce the student to important geological concepts
such as rocks and minerals, uniformitarianism, the dynamic earth, the earth's place in
the solar system, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, groundwater, geologic time,
and energy/mineral resources. Lectures meet as scheduled for 80 minutes on Thursday;
laboratory, for those enrolled in GLG 103, meets as scheduled for 170 minutes. Students
may take the lab without lecture and vice-versa; however, the class will generally not
count for transfer credit to the universities unless lecture and lab credits are recorded.
B. ATTENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL
You are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions.
*Only students officially enrolled in the course can attend lectures and labs.
Insurance requirements prohibit friends, relatives and children from attending
lectures or labs.
If you must withdraw from the course it is your responsibility to complete the necessary
paperwork for the withdrawal. Stop by my.maricopa.edu to view any and all withdrawal
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deadlines. If you stop attending lectures or labs without officially withdrawing from the
course, you will receive the grade earned based on your point total (at the time you stop
coming) divided by the maximum points (as if you had completed all work). This usually
means a grade of F will be recorded.
You are expected to regularly participate in class assignments and respond to emails
from your instructor regarding class participation. Maricopa Community College District
policy indicates that the instructor has the option of dropping a student when he/she has
accumulated more unexcused absences that the number of class meetings per week (in
the case of this class that means TWO absences; please see me regarding what is and
is not an excused absence). In an online class this means two assignments whose
deadline has passed will allow me the option of dropping you from the class. I reserve
the right to withdraw any student from class for lack of participation, and that includes
ignoring communications and assignment deadlines. If, however, I do not withdraw you
and you stopped attending class without withdrawing yourself from the course, your
course grade will likely be reported as an F, depending on the number of points accrued
before you stopped participating.
Class participation is defined as actively and regularly participating in classroom and
online discussions and interactive group activities and completing assignments in a
timely manner. Class participation is an essential part of this course.
C. REQUIRED MATERIALS

Visualizing Geology 3rd Ed

Barbara W. Murck and Brian J. Skinner; 2012
We will make extensive use of this site in the hybrid course.
An E-book is available from the campus bookstore.
YOU WILL NEED The WILEY Plus Access Code to take
your tests in this class. All NEW Books will have this access code. If
using a used book you need to buy the access code. Contact the Bookstore for
the
code in case your textbook did not include a valid code.

WileyPlus
The textbook publisher has provided a tremendous resource, known as WileyPlus. To
access this you will need the access code that you either purchase separately or that
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comes with a new book. The code includes the full text and graphics e-book version of
the textbook along with videos, animations and other modern learning tools, so savvy
shoppers who are not absolutely tied to having a paper book in their hands can save a
great deal of money by purchasing the access code, possibly from the bookstore or from
www.wileyplus.com. (costs are cheaper at one of these, but you can figure that out).
WileyPlus allows me to grant a 2-week grace period while you get the funds to purchase
the book/code. After that grade period you will need the access code. Once a code has
been used I do not believe it can be used again. You should all setup and register for
WileyPlus as soon as you can.
Please follow this link to the account creation and course self-enrollment process. You
must enroll yourself in WileyPlus, it is not like CANVAS where you are automatically
enrolled.
http://edugen.wileyplus.com/ enter code 522130 to register for the class.
I have also posted under the syllabus link a pdf flyer giving you instructions on the
WileyPlus enrollment process.
When signing up for WileyPlus you must only sign up using your campusprovided email address. WileyPlus allows you to question assignment questions
and ask for clarification. However if I see the return address is not your approved
campus email address I am not allowed by district policy to respond. Please do
not use a private email account for WileyPlus.
What do I do in WileyPlus
Read the textbook, even if you have the
paper book you automatically gain access
to the ebook.
View the National Geographic video clips
for each chapter. There will be questions
about these clips so watch them if for
nothing more than gaining points, but some
are excellent!
There are various activities in WileyPlus

What do I do in Canvas
Examine each module for the list of
assignments and activities you will do in
WileyPlus
Download or view the Chapter PowerPoint I
have written for you. In the PowerPoint I
have included much more information than
your textbook includes. This information
will help you understand the topics better.
Links to the Earth revealed video series are

that may show up on the chapter tests as a included in each module that has a
question. Do them as practice first!
corresponding video. These streaming
videos are only 30 minutes long, just
enough time to finish some popcorn!
Practice tests. All practice tests will be
Communicate with me! You can email me
available as soon as the class starts.
easily through CANVAS.
Please take the practice tests (which do not
count for points) before trying the Chapter
tests (which count for points)
D. ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
You are encouraged to communicate with me prior to an assignment due date if you have
any questions or concerns. Though I acknowledge that from time-to-time extenuating
circumstances may result in late submissions, exceptions to this policy will not be made.
An occasional late assignment or paper should not significantly affect your course grade
if you have been doing satisfactory work and meeting deadlines throughout the semester.
Grading Rubric and Scale
While ideally you are all here from the love of science, reality mandates grades must be
assigned. The method of grading in this course is outlined below. It is subject to change
with notice at the discretion of the instructor.
Assignment and Number Points Possible per Assignment Cumulative Points
16 Chapter Tests

approx. 30 points per chapter

480

Final Exam

100

100

Total Points

580

Chapter Tests (480/580 points) will consist of material from lectures, reading, and
online activities pertaining to each of the chapters assigned. The format of the tests will
be multiple-choice/true-false questions administered through the class Wiley Plus site.
You may use your book, PowerPoints, other websites, etc. when taking these tests (but
NOT each other, please familiarize yourself with College rules regarding academic
integrity in the Student Handbook). Please note, however, that once submitted the
grades on these exams are automatically recorded. You should have ample time to

complete the test. All Chapter tests (save Assignment Zero and the Lecture Final Exam)
will be available until 9 AM August 4 after they post in Wiley Plus.
Final Exam (100/580 points) will be administered during the final exam time. It will
consist of 100 True/False questions, on Wiley Plus. This Exam will post at 9 AM July 28
and be available until 9 AM August 4.
Self-tests. In WileyPlus there will be one practice test for each chapter. This is optional
although I strongly encourage you to practice on these questions before you attempt
and submit your chapter test. These self-tests have NO points you can earn, but you
can learn.
Assignment Grading Scale
This scale is approximate and is subject to change with notice by the instructor.
Your grade will be based not on percentages but rather on points. For example: the
lowest A will have 522 points. If your point total after all work is completed is above 522
points you will have an A.
Since all assignments chapter tests, and the final exam are taken in WileyPlus, you will
look in WileyPlus to see your grades. No grades will be recorded in Blackboard.
A 580-522 100%-90%
B 521-464 89.9%-80%
C 463-406 79.9%-70%
D 405-348 69.9%-60%
F less than 347 points less than 59.9%
How Do I Determine My Grade
On most chapter tests I will include extra questions, so anything beyond 30 questions is
considered extra credit.
WileyPlus does not recognize extra credit, so your percentage will almost always be
HIGHER than the one you see in the Gradebook. To calculate an accurate percentage
grade:
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1. Multiply the number of Chapter tests X 30

2. Divide the total in number 1 into you point total in the WileyPlus Gradebook.
Multiply by 100 and that is your true percentage.
EXAMPLE:
You have taken three tests plus the extra credit Assignment Zero. This gives you a
total of 90 points. Your point total is 80, so 80/90 is 0.89. Multiplying by 100 to turn
this into a percentage gives a total of 89%, good for a very high B.
Make-up Tests
Since all Chapter tests are online, no make-ups will be given. Once the deadline for
taking an assignment has passed, the test or quiz cannot be reopened for any reason.
However, the chapter tests can be taken at a 50% point penalty. Remember that ALL
chapter tests are taken in WileyPlus. Failure to take tests will result in failure of the
class.
Extra Credit
Sufficient opportunity is provided for students to earn points during regular class times.
Therefore, no extra credit will be given, and none should be expected. Remember that
5.8 points equates to 1% point on the final grade, so make the most of your
opportunities to accrue points on tests.
Academic Integrity
Cheating and or plagiarizing will result in automatic lowering of the course grade.
Instructors have the option of giving a failing course grade. As a student at EMCC you
are bound by the policies of the Student Handbook. Please familiarize yourself with
them.
Cell Phone Policy
Please turn off all pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices during class. Use of
such devices constitutes an unacceptable disruption of the learning environment.
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Disability Policy
The College and this instructor will make any and all reasonable accommodations for
persons with documented disabilities, including learning disabilities. Students should
notify Disabled Student Services in Komatke Hall B (623-935-8935) and all their
instructors as soon as possible of any special needs.
E. GENERAL INFORMATION
E-mail sent to me will normally be responded to within 24 hours Monday - Thursday. You
are encouraged to consult Frequently Asked Questions in search of answers to your
questions prior to emailing me. All EMCC students have a campus-issued email address.
You are to use this address for any communications with me. Please address any
communications to the email address listed in this syllabus. In the subject box of all
emails sent to me please include course prefix and number (i.e., BIO100) and course
section number and include your name (not email handle) in the body of the email. Any
student mail received by the instructor that does not follow this format will not be read; it
will be deleted. As editor and author of the OLBB I receive a great number of legitimate
as well as spamming emails (over 100 per day sometimes). Your emails to me are a
priority so please help me sift through the volumes of spam my inbox is inundated by for
them.
I may use student email addresses to communicate with the class as a whole or with
individual learners. Advance notice of temporary room changes or temporary class
cancellations, exam schedule changes, syllabus modifications, or pertinent news stories,
will also be sent via these email accounts. Likewise, you may wish to use email to
communicate with me.
o Those not enrolled in GLG101 (including children) may not attend class.
o It is your responsibility to withdraw from class by the dates listed in order to
receive a W or Y.
o As per MCCD regulations, taping of lectures is not permitted.
These resources might be useful to you in this class:
Information Commons, Instructional Computing (623)935-8150
Library (623)935-8191
Learning Enhancement and Writing Support Center (623)935-8189

NASA Center for Success in Math and Science (623)935-8221

F. SCIENCE CENTER & SCIENCE TUTORING ROOM
EMCC maintains the SCIENCE Center on the first floor of Estrella Hall. NOTE: Individual
tutoring and/or study groups (at no charge to you!) are available, as is help in study skills,
scheduling of study rooms, and other areas. Study groups are available (FREE OF
CHARGE!) arranged through the SCIENCE Center. Previously, students who used this
facility were successful in class. However, I have not had any input into the selection and
training of SCIENCE Center tutors and so cannot vouch for their quality, knowledge, or
accuracy. Use them at your own risk.
With the expansion of Montezuma Hall, there will be a tutoring/science study room
located on the west-facing side of the building. You may use this room to examine rocks
and maps that normally will not be available in the Estrella Hall SCIENCE Center.
G. MCCD COURSE COMPETENCIES: Updated 1995
1. Describe the scientific foundations of physical geology.
2. Describe the building blocks of matter.
3. Describe the three-part classification of rock processes.
4. Explain the concept of geologic time.
5. Describe the geologic structures in crustal rocks.
6. Describe the internal structure of the earth.
7. Explain the theory of Plate Tectonics.
8. Describe the process of weathering.
9. Describe coastal processes.
10. Explain the geological processes associated with deserts.
11. Describe glaciation and glacial landforms.
12. Describe the importance of geology to man.
13. Describe the earth's place in the cosmos.
H. ASSESSMENT ABILITIES
This is an introductory geology class, so the course objectives are the BASICS in
geology and are taught to emphasize critical thinking. Critical thinking is the ability to
take information and apply it to situations and/or logically work through several steps to
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get to an answer. This is one of many abilities we expect students at EMCC will master.
Here is a link to the matrix of abilities we expect our students to have as they complete
their coursework: http://www.estrellamountain.edu/academics/saac/abilitiesmatrix.asp
<http://www.estrellamountain.edu/academics/saac/%20abilitiesmatrix.asp> .
Learning Outcome Students will be expected to demonstrate their awareness of what
science is and is not, as well as well as develop and manifest their appreciation of
geology as a science.

Your copy
RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS
I, _________________________(Print Name), HAVE READ and understood the
attached syllabus for GLG 101. I have been given a copy of the course syllabus, which
details the course outline (subject to change), the method for determining course grade,
and lists required materials I am responsible for purchasing.
Printed Name_________________________________________
Signed ___________________________________ Date_________ Class ________

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There is an electronic version of this receipt, please sign and send to your instructor by
9 AM Friday 28 August. Thanks
RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS
I, _________________________(Print Name), HAVE READ and understood the
attached syllabus for GLG 101. I have been given a copy of the course syllabus, which
details the course outline (subject to change), the method for determining course grade,
and lists required materials I am responsible for purchasing.
Printed Name_________________________________________

Signed ___________________________________ Date_________ Class ________

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