Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D. - Fall 2018 classes

FALL session 2018

Professor: Dr. Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D.

4223 - Geol 1, Introduction to Physical Geology
2519 - Geol 5, Earth History

GENERAL INFORMATION

Both of these classes are accessible to anyone with a basic knowledge of physics, chemistry, and biology. This accessibility does not imply that these classes are "easy". Both of these classes will require constant, continuous attention and dedication. If you want to be successful you will need to be present in class, read materials ahead and study steadily. You will need to pay constant attention to the topics discussed during our meetings and dedicate a considerable amount of time to the class materials.

The pace of these classes is intensive and you can not afford to be absent or miss work for no reason. Absences will not only affect your grade but also your overall grasp and understanding of the subject.

As a student, you also need to recognize that your college education is above all a matter of opening yourself up to new dimensions of knowledge and understanding. Even if these classes do not cover topics relevant to you major, or you feel that you "have" to take one or both, you need to realize that these classes are interesting per se, and will enrich your intellectual background. As a professor of geology, I am here to illustrate and explain these materials to you, and it will be up to you to find your interest in them.

If you have chosen to enroll in one or both of these classes it means that you should be able to move beyond your individual interests and take advantage of the opportunity of having scientific materials illustrated to you. These classes are intrinsically rich in interesting concepts, and should be seen as one tool for you to open up to new ideas, concepts, and possibilities. These classes will give you more interests and ideas, and consequently they will make you more knowledgeable and interesting as a person.

GEOL 1 - Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

Last Updated • December 10, 2018

This class is a three-units, general education class. An introduction to the basic principles of geology and plate tectonics is followed by a discussion on the chemical structure of rocks and minerals, with details on all kinds of rocks. Geologic Time will be discussed before entering different kinds of sedimentary environments.

This class is fully transferable to UC and CSU, but it might not satisfy GE requirements at some universities.
Please verify with the college of your choice if that is the case.

4223 - GEOL 1, Introduction to PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

Syllabus:
Click here for a .pdf copy of the Syllabus

Class Hours:
Monday and Wednesday, 5:45-7:05, DH, rooms 205 (M) and 128 (W)

Recommended Textbook:
C. C. Plummer and D. H. Carlson, Physical Geology, 15^th edition (2015), McGraw Hill.
Older editions of this book are available on the market. The difference between them is minimal, and any one of them will be fine.

It is fine to buy a used copy of the Textbook. If for any reason you can not find a copy of the textbook at the SMC bookstore, look on Amazon (a link is provided by clicking on the book title above) or at the UCLA bookstore.

Exams:
All exams will include materials from lecture, discussions, and assignments.
The final exam will includue a cumulative part

Exam dates are as follows:
exam 1 - Wednesday, September 26, 2018: study guide (available since September 20, 2018)
exam 2 - Wednesday, October 31, 2018: study guide (available since October 25, 2018)
exam 3 - Wednesday, December 5, 2018: study guide (available since November 30, 2018)
exam 4 - Monday, December 17, 2018: study guide (available since December 10, 2018)

Home Assignments:
Check here for your home assignment activities (due on November 14, 2018)

Please, refer to the class syllabus for further information and/or details.

A tombolo, a strip of sand connecting a small island to the mainland
Piper's Lagoon, Nanaimo, British Columbia

GEOL 5 - EARTH HISTORY

Last Updated • Deecember 10, 2018

This class is a four-units, general education class that includes both lecture and lab; an introduction to the basic principles of geology and plate tectonics is followed by a more detailed study of sedimentary rocks and the principles of stratigraphy, sedimentology, and paleontology. Knowledge of these principles will help the students understand how Earth history can be deciphered through the study of the rock and fossil record. The main physical, chemical and biological changes that occurred in the 4.6 billion years of existence of our planet will be outlined.

If you already have a basic knowledge of geology (for instance, you already took Geology 1 or Geology 4) you might find yourself at a slight advantage. Nonetheless, you will see throughout the class that all materials will be explained thoroughly and the class is fully accessible to anyone with a genuine curiosity and desire to learn. You also need to be aware - again - that this class will require continuous and constant attention and that, in order to succeed, you will need to dedicate a considerable amount of time to study and work on its materials.

This class is fully transferable to UC and CSU, but it might not satisfy GE requirements at some universities.
Please verify with the college of your choice if that is the case.

2519 - GEOL 5, EARTH HISTORY lecture and lab

Syllabus:
Click here for a .pdf copy of the Syllabus

Class Hours:
Monday (lecture), 5:15-8:20, Drescher Hall, room 208
Wednesday (lab), 5:15-8:20, Drescher Hall, room 128

Recommended Textbooks:
Lecture Textbook: S. M. Stanley, Earth System History, 4^th edition (2014), W. H. Freeman and Company, New York
Lecture Textbook: J. R. Nudds and P. A. Selden, Fossil Ecosystems of North America, 1^st edition (2008), The University of Chicago press, Chicago, Illinois
Lab Manual:H. L. Levin and M. S. Smith, Laboratory Studies in Earth History, 10^th edition

Exams:
All exams include lecture, lab and home assignments materials.

Exam dates are as follows:
exam 1 - Wednesday, September 26, 2018: study guide (available since September 20, 2018)
exam 2 - Wednesday, October 31, 2018: study guide (available since October 25, 2018)
exam 3, part 1 (non-cumulative) - Wednesday, December 5, 2018: study guide (available since December 1, 2018)
exam 3, part 2 (cumulative) - Wednesday, December 12, 2018: study guide (available since December 10, 2018)

Please, refer to the class syllabus for further information and/or details.

Home assignments:
You have two labs and two quizzes as a home assignment, all due on November 14, 2018.
These are regular labs and quizzes that are part of the class activities, and are NOT extra credit.

Check here for your home assignment laboratory activities (due on November 14, 2018)
Check here for your take-home quiz #7 (due on November 14, 2018)
Check here for your take-home quiz #8 (due on November 14, 2018)

The principle of cross-cutting relationships, illustrated
from Death Valley National Park, California