Course Syllabus

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Eruption of Fagradalsfjall, Iceland
Fagradalsfjall Volcano, Iceland, 2021

Syllabus and Class Policies

Physical Geology Fall 2024 GEOL 10
Section 961 -- CRN 72321-- Hybrid-- Late Start

WELCOME!

Class Meets in Science Hall Room 5 -- Ocean Campus
Fridays 11:10 to 12:30 pm

Class officially begins Tuesday, September 3rd (online activities) and requires some review and a survey to be completed prior to our first ZOOM class (Friday, February 2nd). Please plan your time accordingly!
**You will  have early access to this CANVAS shell, so explore and review all the materials. However, you cannot submit any assignments until the first official day of class.

THIS LATE-START HYBRID CLASS REQUIRES 9.5 HRS/WEEK OF WORK.

The asynchronous components of this class (most of it) happen through Canvas.
The synchronous components (1.25 hours) happen during a weekly in-person class meeting.

Canvas will be the main platform for communication and engagement for the course, including watching video lectures, completing assignments, engaging with your fellow students in discussion,  and taking quizzes and exams. Review the CANVAS course site regularly in order to check due dates and stay on top of course-related communications.

PROFESSOR: Yvan Mendoza

OFFICE HOURS: Fridays 5:00 - 6:00PM - Science 45

Important Dates

  • First day class opens for CANVAS work: Tuesday, September 3rd
  • First lab class: Friday, September 6, 2:10 to 5 pm
  • Last Date to drop with a refund: September 12
  • Last Date to Drop without a W: September 20
  • Last Date to Drop with a W: November 21
  • Holiday or FLEX days (campus closed): Flex Day (Tuesday 10/15), Veteran's Day (Monday 11/11), Thanksgiving  (Thursday and Friday 11/28 and 11/29)
    *FLEX day means instructors are unavailable so no in-person or zoom classes are held
  • Last day of class: December 20

Course Grade

Assignments: 20%; Weekly Quizzes: 55%; Midterm Exam and Final Exam: 25%
*NOTE: There are a number of assignments that are ungraded but that are designed as learning opportunities and practice to prepare for quizzes. I drop two weeks worth of assignments and quizzes to handle emergencies.

Grading scale: A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F=0-59%.

Reference: help Calculating Your Total Course Grade

Course Content and Outcomes

In this course we will cover a range of geology topics including Earth formation, plate tectonics, natural hazards and resources, minerals and rocks, mountain building, geologic time and history, and erosional surface environments.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): Upon completion of this course a student will be able to:

  1. Apply scientific inquiry and investigation of evidence to critically evaluate geologic principles and phenomena.
  2. Use both diagrams and writing to communicate fundamental geologic concepts and principles effectively.
  3. Apply scientific principles, theories, or models to explain the behavior of geologic phenomena at various rates across geologic time.
  4. Evaluate the interrelationship between human activities and geologic processes and the impact of this interrelationship on both society and the physical Earth.

(Official course outline of record)

Building Community

The heart of this class is the community we will build together. Each class, we will work collaboratively in the lab room or in the field to build an understanding of the class material. Part of what makes these classes vibrant and enriching for all of us is what each of you shares of yourself -- your background, your questions, and your experiences with the material. You will have many opportunities this semester to learn from each other, and that will be improved through thoughtful collaborative interactions. 

Math and English Skills

This class assumes that all students have achieved college-level math and English proficiency.

You will need to be able to read and understand the CANVAS instructions, tutorials, lessons, assignments, quizzes, and discussions, and communicate effectively during quizzes and exams in written form.

You will need to solve critical thinking and computational problems involving graphing, basic algebra, and ratios.

If you choose to stay in the class, and your math or communication/prereading skills are weak, you will likely need to put in more time than other students to be successful. Please take advantage of the discussion board and office hours for Q&A.

Required Materials

NOTEBOOK

You will need to have a notebook dedicated to this class, in which you take notes from the online material. You will use this notebook as an external resource to assist on assignments and in our synchronous sessions. You may, on occasion, have to sketch drawings or show your calculation work in your notebook (and then take photos of that completed work and upload them to CANVAS to include them in your assignments).

TEXTBOOK

There is no required textbook. All the material for which you'll be responsible in this class will be provided to you through video tutorials and interactive lessons (listed in the 📖Course Tutorials (Lessons List) and found individually in the class modules). 

Technology Requirements

To participate fully in this class, you will need to have consistent access to a working laptop or desktop computer and good internet connections. This technology will be required for watching video tutorials, using Canvas (taking quizzes, uploading assignments, and more), and communicating with class colleagues and instructors.

Be sure you set up your notifications to ensure you receive prompt information about the class; and plan to log into CANVAS to check for updates at least once a day. If you need help learning how to use these tools, please let me know and reference the support links below:

  • Internet, browser, and computer sufficient for watching online videos and reviewing resources each week
  • CANVAS access and familiarity
  • Zoom Video Conferencing -- Some Office Hours will happen through ZOOM. (See course home page for ZOOM link.)
  • Online videos: Most of the videos are high definition, and almost all are stored on YouTube (if you can access YouTube videos, you'll be fine). If these videos freeze on you, it's probably because your internet download speeds are slower than the playback speed. (You are playing the video faster than your internet can download the file.) What to do if that's happening? Try watching the videos in a location where download speeds are faster. If you can't, then reach out to me to get downloadable copies of the videos.
  • Camera to take photos of your completed labs and upload them to CANVAS. (Phone camera will work fine!)

If you anticipate any problem with the above requirements, contact me right away to see if I can assist.

Class format

Expect to spend on average 9.5 hrs/week:

  • In CANVAS, watch video tutorials and complete accompanying lessons with practice questions throughout to test your understanding then complete Weekly Assignment -- a set of questions whose answers come from the video tutorials and accompany figures. (~3-4 hrs)
  • Engage in discussion, critical thinking activities, and Q&A (~1 to 1.5 hrs)
  • On your own: practice the week's material in preparation for quiz (~2-3 hrs)
  • In CANVAS, complete timed Quiz (~20 minutes)

Note: I am a part-time faculty that is only on Campus one day a week (Fridays). Office hours are limited to Fridays between 5-6 PM, however, if you have any questions that arise when I am not on campus, we can always meet via zoom (by appointment). Though I prefer if you ask me questions in-person since it is easier to coordinate. The best way to succeed in this class is to work on your own first completing as much as you can, seek help with the questions you have, and practice the topics that are the most challenging.

More on Quizzes and Exams

Weekly quizzes, the midterm exam, and the final exam cover the material from the week's video tutorials, lessons, and assignments. These assessments are your opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the material. To do well, be sure to practice each week’s assignments so you can successfully repeat the content and skills on your own, with no notes.

  • The content on quizzes and exams comes from weekly videos and their associated figures and lessons. Midterm and Final exam questions come from the assignments and quizzes from all the weeks that preceded them.
  • Weekly quizzes are online and timed because I want you to complete them without consulting your notes or books or the internet. Please be sure you've practiced sufficiently before you get started so you can complete the assessment confidently and in the time provided. While it is not an honor code violation to consult your notes, you will find it very difficult to do so and still complete the quiz on time. I advise you to prepare and take the quizzes as though they were in a classroom and no materials were allowed. You will not have time to look up answers or teach yourself material from the week's material (that was what the assignments themselves were all about). If you need extra time to look things up, then you haven't learned enough of the material ahead of time, so please study well and ahead of time. The time given for each quiz is based on how long it takes students in person to complete the same quiz with no outside materials to access. Typically it will be 20 minutes.
    • If you need extra time (not to look things up, but to just process the questions), you have to register with DRC and send me your extra time accommodation ASAP.
  • The midterm and final exams will be similar to quizzes but will take place in person during the class sessions.

What should I do if my computer fails during a quiz?

If your computer fails, restart your computer, log back into the class Canvas site, and resume taking the quiz (note, however, that the quiz timer will NOT restart). If you cannot resume the quiz or exam within a reasonably short time, contact me ASAP.

Late Assignment and Quiz Policy

No assignments will be accepted late, but I do drop your two lowest assignments and quizzes to handle emergencies. For more details, review information on late policy and grading/feedback procedures.

Attendance

Especially in a science class, each week's content assumes mastery of the material from the previous week. If you miss even one week, you will have to catch up quickly so you don't fall further behind. Be sure you have the time for this class this semester (if not, consider re-enrolling in a future semester).

Final note: I cannot keep students enrolled just for financial aid or student visa status or any other external requirement. To stay enrolled in this class, you will have to maintain your participation, which means keeping up with weekly assignments and quizzes and discussions. Please reach out right away if you are encountering any attendance difficulties, so we can collaboratively figure out the best option for you. 

Nonparticipation is marked by:

  • Incomplete assignments for week 1 (must be completed by Sunday night at the end of the first week). 
  • Throughout the semester: two weeks of missed assignments.

Seeking Help

I want you to feel supported this semester!

See Support for Students for more information on how to get help during class from me, your instructor, your fellow students, counselors, and other student support services. You can also ask for help through:

  • Discussion boards in CANVAS
  • Office hours

For students who are registered with Disabled Student Programs and Services or who would like to register, please be sure to visit the DSPS websiteLinks to an external site..  If you have paperwork, please submit it to me as soon as possible so I can assist with accommodations.

Collaboration and Standards of Conduct

You are encouraged to work with other students -- learning can be greatly improved by collaboration. Collaboration is encouraged for all assignments. But what does that mean? If you are working closely with friends or fellow students, it means each of you working first on your own and bringing your best work together to compare and discuss, and then putting answers down in your assignment that reflect your own thinking and words.

Be absolutely sure that your answers are your own and in your own words. Copying of homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty. Any identical submissions will be given a 0, so be careful and reach out to me right away if you have any questions or concerns.

Also, remember that quizzes and exams are individual effort only. Any indication that students have collaborated on a quiz will result in a 0 on that quiz for all parties.

Please avoid any indication of cheating by writing your answers in your own word and submitting your own work. See these links to assist:

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct.. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student AffairsLinks to an external site. for more information. 

Title IX Policy Addressing Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Assault

The San Francisco Community College District is committed to creating and maintaining a community free of all forms of unlawful discrimination, including sex-based discrimination (which includes sexual harassment and sexual violence.) The District has adopted detailed Title IX policies and regulationsLinks to an external site. addressing unlawful discrimination, including sex-based discrimination (which includes sexual harassment and sexual violence.) 

Communication, Feedback, and Expectations

You will be most successful in this course if you meet the following expectations:

  • Complete the assigned activities each week on time. Please let me know as soon as you can concerning difficulties that you may have in getting assignments in on time.
  • Complete the weekly quizzes on time.
  • Think critically about the weekly topics. Is something surprising? Is it new to you? How does it contrast with what you know about the topic from previous semesters, classes, or life experiences?
  • When you work with your fellow students, come together with your own best work already done and discuss and learn from each other. Be sure your work is your own.
  • Review feedback I leave you: I put together a short video to explain how to access the feedback I give you on your assignments and quizzes. Please review if you're not sure how to see it:

You can communicate with me each week in multiple ways:

  • The last question of the weekly quiz asks for your feedback on the week.
  • Each assignment you submit has a space for assignment comments.
  • You're also always welcome to email me at any time with feedback.
  • Come to class!
  • Come to office hours!
  • Schedule a one-on-one with me.

Here is what you can expect of me:

  • I will respond to your email or message within 24-48 hours M-F (holidays excepted) unless I inform you otherwise.
  • I will treat you and your ideas with respect.
  • I will grade on-time assignments within 24-48 hours of due date (M-F -- holidays excepted).
  • I will grade quizzes within 24-48 hours of due date (M-F -- holidays excepted).
  • I will keep the Canvas Gradebook current with your cumulative grade.
  • I will check in periodically to the student Q&A boards to address any questions not already answered by a fellow student.
  • I will work hard to make this a great class for you! :)

Course Summary:

Date Details Due