Environmental Geology Course Outline, Spring 2002

01542 GEOL-1010-003 MWF DSC 285

Instructor information.

• Harmon D. Maher Jr.
• Office hours: MWF 10-11AM, T&TH 12-1PM or by appointment (I'm in alot).
• Contact information: 402 554 4807, harmon_maher@mail.unomaha.edu
• Office 266 in Durham Science Center

Basis for grade.

• The grading scale is as follows (339 points possible):
  • > 270 points -> A+
  • > 260 to 270 -> A
  • > 250 to 260 -> A-
  • > 240 to 250 -> B+
  • > 230 to 240 -> B
  • > 220 to 230 -> B-
  • > 210 to 220 -> C+
  • > 200 to 210 -> C
  • > 190 to 200 -> C-
  • > 180 to 190 -> D+
  • > 170 to 180 -> D
  • > 160 to 170 -> D-
• The design is that taking the tests plus two write-ups will be the norm.
• Points are awarded for the following:
  • 3 exams each worth 100 points ( past performance indicates that the average grade is in the low 70s).
  • 6 points each for up to 6 write-ups of recent geologic events with environmental consequences (description).
  • 2 points for each participation in the 3 in-class labs.
• Consideration will be given if the first exam result is anomalously low (i.e. the rest are high). The penalty for cheating is failure of the course.

Make-up policy. If notice is given at least 24 HOURS before the test is administered arrangements for taking the test at a different time can possibly be made at my discretion. If a test is missed without notifying me prior to the test time, then a make-up test can be arranged for some time during finals week. This make-up test will consist of 5-6 essay questions.

Text: Keller, 8th edition, Environmental Geology. If you truly have difficulty affording the text please see me and I'll be happy to loan you one.

Time commitment for this course: A standard formula is that for each credit hour a student should spend 2-3 hours a week on that course (equivalent to 30-45 hours of work for a full time student). For three credits the commitment is then 6-9 hours, translating into at least 3 hours a week outside the lecture. Students who put in this amount of time usually do quite well in the course.

Course readings:

The first third of the course focuses on surface geologic processes and related environmental concerns. In italics are three short in-class labs that will be conducted.

• Introductory thoughts - Chapt. 1 & 2.
• Population dynamics and environmental stresses - Chapt. 1.
• Soils - Chapt. 3
• Mass wasting - Chapt. 6 - Slope stability in - class lab.
• Fluvial and lacustrine processes - Chapt. 5
• Coastal processes - Chapt. 9
• Karst and eolian processes. none (depend on lecture and web notes)
• Exam 1

The second part of the course focuses on the surface manifestation of deep- seated geologic processes, specifically focusing on earthquakes and volcanoes.

• Plate tectonic theory - Chapt. 2
• Earthquake activity - Chapt. 7. Earthquake hazard map in -class lab.
• Volcanic activity - Chapt. 8
• Exam 2

The third part of the course focuses on geologic resources, associated environmental concerns, and on waste disposal.

• Water resources - Chapt. 10 & 11
• Energy resources - Chapt. 15
• Industrial rock and mineral resources - Chapt. 14
• Waste disposal - Chapt. 12. Waste disposal site selection in-class lab.
• Exam 3 - assigned time during finals week.

© Harmon D. Maher Jr.. This page may be used for non-profit educational purposes. For any other use please contact me.

Return to instructor's home page.

Return to Environmental Geology index.