ES202 Principles of Geology
(Sedimentary Systems and Earth Surface Processes)

Class Syllabus (Adobe Acrobat Format)

ES202 Winter 2010 Class Syllabus

2009-2010 Finals Schedule

Bulletin Board **Check Here for Class News and Events**

Good Work Team! Have a Good Spring Break!

Final Grades - Mar. 19, 2010

Class Notes

The class notes are organized according to their order of occurrence throughout the term. They are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) Format. Acrobat Reader is invoked as a plug-in within the web browser environment. It is available on most machines at WOU. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free by returning to Taylor's Home Page

Exam study guides will be included as the term progresses. Please check future postings as exam time approaches

Introduction / Overview of the Earth
Overview of Scientific Methods and Techniques
Quick Tour of Rocks and Minerals

  • Link to Rock Cycle Animations
  • Mineral Species Defined (for the biologists who question the use of the term "species" with minerals)
    Quick Tour of Plate Tectonics
    Intro to Sedimentary Rocks
    Sedimentary Structures and Environments
    Intro to Topographic Maps
    Geologic Time and Stratigraphy
  • Geologic Time Scale (MacRae, 1996)
  • Geologic Time Scale (DNAG, 1983)
    Introduction to Landscape Analysis
    Soils and Mass Wasting
  • Weathering, Soils and Mass Wasting Video Exercise (Earth Explored)
    Rivers and Fluvial Systems
    Hydrologic Cycle
    Groundwater / Karst Processes
    Glacial Processes and Climate Change
    Desert Processes and Landforms
    Coastal Processes and Landforms

    Class Slide Shows and Image Library (for use as a Study Tool)

    Introduction
    Overview of Minerals and Rocks
    Overview of Plate Tectonics
    Sedimentary Rocks
    Sedimentary Structures and Facies
    Introduction to Geologic Time and Stratigraphy
    Topographic Maps
    Weathering-Soils-Mass Wasting
  • More Mass Wasting Images
    Groundwater
    River Systems
  • More River Images
    Glaciers
  • More Glacier Images
    Deserts
  • More Desert Images
    Coastal Processes and Landforms
  • More Coastal Images

    Lab Exercises

    Procedures and Methodology for Compiling Lab Portfolios
    Pre-Lab Reading Questions (Labs 2-10)
    Take-Home Lab 1 - Applications of Scientific Methods and Techniques

    Lab 2 - Overview of Minerals, Rocks, and Plate Tectonics
  • Lab 2 Pre-Lab Mineral Video Exercise (Earth Revealed)

    Lab 3 - Sedimentary Rock Analysis and Classification
  • Lab 3 Pre-Lab Sedimentary Rock Video Exercise (Earth Revealed)

    Lab 4 - Sedimentary Structures and Environments
  • Lab 4 - Pre-Lab Sedimentary Structure Video Exercise
  • ES202 Additional Class Assignment: Geologic Time

    Lab 5 - Introduction to Topographic Maps and Air Photos
  • Lab 5 Pre-Lab Overview of Topographic Maps Video Exercise
  • Lab 5 - Additional Topographic Map Exercise (stream gradient analysis)

    Lab 6 - River Systems and Fluvial Processes

  • Lab 6 Pre-Lab River Process Video Exercise (Earth Explored)
  • Lab 6 Pre-Lab Running Water / Landscape Evolution Video (Earth Revealed)
  • Watershed Delineation Exercise

    Lab 7 - Groundwater Systems
  • Lab 7 Pre-Lab Groundwater Video Exercise (Earth Revealed)

    Lab 8 - Glaciers, Glacial Processes, and Climate Change
  • Lab 8 Pre-Lab Glacier Video Exercise (Earth Revealed; updated winter 2009)

    Lab 9 - Desert Processes and Landforms
  • Lab 9 Pre-Lab Desert Video Exercise (Earth Revealed)

    Lab 10 - Coastal Processes and Landforms
  • Lab 10 Pre-Lab Coast Video Exercise (Earth Revealed)

    Landform / Exam Review Worksheet

    Optional Extra Credit Local Field Trip - Due by Final Exam Time


    Class Homework Assignments

    Homework Instructions:

    (1) Clicking on the link at the end of this section will take you to a web-based course management software called "Moodle".
    (2) Once at the site, choose the "Login" option at the upper right of the page.
    (3) Enter your WOU student server username (the one you use for WOU email or to get to your "H:\" drive).
    (4) Enter the last four digits of your student ID V-no. for the password (unless if you have already changed it).
    (5) Once you are logged in, look for the "Change Password" icon...but DON'T FORGET IT.
    (6) Click on the "Homework Assignment" icon.
    (7) Click on the homework assignment you wish to complete, and begin the online assignment.
    (8) You may stop and begin the assignment as many times as you wish, once you "submit for grading", you will receive feedback and can rework the questions.
    (9) Make sure you print a hard copy of your homework answers and/or save them as a file on your local drive!

    Note: Pay attention to the availability dates. You have unlimited time and an unlimited number of tries to correctly answer and submit the questions.

    Note: Print your questions and answers from the browser icon... this will be your written record of completing the assignment. This will also serve as your study guide!

    Click Here to Go to Moodle and the ES202 Homework Page
  • Marshak Essentials of Geology - Chapter Summaries (Moodle Resource with Key Words)

    Instructions for WOU Terminal Server Access from Home

    Lab / Quiz Answer Keys

    Lab 1 Answer Key- Intro to Scientific Methods
    Lab 2 Answer Key- Overview Minerals, Rocks, and Plate Tectonics
    Lab 3 Answer Key- Intro to Sedimentary Rocks
    Lab 4 Answer Key- Sedimentary Structures and Environments
    Lab 5 Answer Key- Topographic Maps
  • Key for Additional Topographic Map Exercise (stream gradient analysis)

    Lab 6 Answer Key- River Systems / Fluvial Landscapes
    Lab 7 Answer Key- Groundwater / Karst Processes
    Lab 8 Answer Key- Glaciers
    Lab 9 Answer Key- Deserts
    Lab 10 Answer Key- Coasts

    Writing Guides

    Guide for Compiling a Lab Exercise Portfolio (Winter 2010)
    Winter 2010 Term Paper Instructions

    Old Guide for Compiling a Lab Exercise Portfolio (years prior to 2009)
    Good examples of weekly lab reports (prior to 2009)

    General Guide to Technical Writing for Earth Science Students

    ES202 Term Paper Style Example (Geological Society of America Bulletin)

    Reference Citation Guidelines (for all report text/graphics)

    Example Extended Outline for Term Paper Ver 1
    Example Extended Outline for Term Paper Ver 2
    Example Term Paper
    Suggested List of References for Select Paper Topics

    Study Guides

    General Guide to Studying Physical Science
    Quiz 1 Study Guide
    Click Here for Updated Midterm Study Guide (Feb. 4, 7:00 PM)
    Quiz 2 Study Guide

    Final Study Guide
  • NEW! ES202 Map Reading and Landform Study Guide (from lab manual)
  • NEW! ES202 Landform Practice Quiz (fill-in-the-blank)