Volcanoes and Earthquakes

ESCI-203

University of South Dakota

Lecture Meetings: TuTh 11:00-11:50 in Akeley-Lawrence Science Center 125
Professor: Dr. Brennan Jordan
E-mail: brennan.jordan@usd.edu
Office: Akeley-Lawrence Science Center 309, phone# 677-6143
Web Page: http://www.usd.edu/~Brennan.Jordan/

Catalog Description: A discussion of the origin, occurrence, and hazards of earthquakes and volcanoes and theories concerning their prediction. No prerequisites.

 

Course Overview: this course will delve into two of the most dramatic geologic hazards, volcanoes and earthquakes.  We will explore the processes that are responsible for volcanoes and earthquakes, the diversity of their occurrence, how they are characterized and monitored, and their effects on people.

Course Structure: The class meets two times per week; there is no lab offered with this course.  Class meetings will consist of lectures, videos, and some in-class assignments.  For in-class assignments a calculator may be necessary, so bring one regularly.  There will be periodic homework assignments.

Required Text/Materials:
*Whoo hoo, no textbook  - the course will utilize selected readings and web resources.

Office Hours: Formal office hours will be set in the first week of the course, in addition to office hours please feel free to swing by my office any time, or set up an appointment.

Attendance: Attendance is essential and, in accordance with University of South Dakota policy for 100- and 200-level courses, attendance will be determined daily (based on clicker use).  Students who cease to attend class will be reported to the university.  Poor attendance will impact a student’s participation grade.  Please communicate with me if you are sick or have another reason for an excused absence.

Cell Phones: Please turn off your cell phones before entering the classroom.  Students with phones out during class will be asked to leave.

Grading: There will be two non-cumulative exams, the first covering volcanoes and the second covering earthquakes.  There will also be in-class and homework assignments and a term paper.  Grading will be based on a conventional scale: A=90-100%; B=80-89.9%; C=70-79.9%; D=60-69.9%; F=<60%. A curve may be applied to some exams at the instructor’s discretion, but don’t count on it.  The weighting of coursework will be as follows:

 

Lecture Schedule

 

Fine Print:

Cheating: Don’t do it!  The university policy on cheating is as follows:  “No credit can be given for a dishonest assignment. At the discretion of the instructor, a student caught engaging in any form of academic dishonesty may be: (a) given a zero for that assignment; (b) allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit; (c) assigned a reduced grade for the course; (d) dropped from the course; or (e) failed in the course.”

Freedom in Learning: Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of the course. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/or dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.

Disabilities: Any student who feels s/he may need academic accommodations or access accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and register with Disability Services during the first week of class. Disability Services is the official office to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with Disability Services must obtain a new accommodation memo each semester.

Course Evaluation: You will have an opportunity to evaluate the course and the instructor using the IDEA Diagnostic Form at the end of the semester.