GEOL 1505 - Physical Geology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 41099,
Credit hours: 4
Course Meeting Times
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Course Description
1505. Physical Geology. A study of the various physical and chemical processes acting on and within the earth, and their products within the context of plate tectonics and their relevance to humans and modern society. The laboratory component includes identification of minerals and rocks, and the interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week. 4 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Essentials of Geology | Marshak | 9780393644456 |
E-book or Hard copy.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Chapter 1 | M - Introduction: What is Geology M - Classmate Scavenger Hunt W - Movie: Planet of Plates F - Lab: Intro to Plate Tectonics |
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| 8/31 | Chapter 2: The Way the Earth Works | M/W - The Way the Earth Works - Plate Tectonics F - Lab: Plate Tectonics |
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| 9/7 | MONDAY NO CLASS - LABOR DAY Chapter 3 - Minerals |
W - Minerals F- Mineral Museum Scavenger Hunt F - Lab - Mineral ID |
Mineral Selfie due Monday Sept. 14 |
| 9/14 | Ch. 4 Igneous Rocks Ch. 5 The Wrath of Vulcan - Volcanic Eruptions |
M - Igneous Rocks W - Volcanoes F- Lab - Dante's Peak |
List and describe 5 volcanic hazards - due Wednesday 9/21 |
| 9/21 | Ch. 5 Continued | M - Volcanoes - cont. W - Exam 1 review F - Exam 1 (Ch. 2, 3, 4, 5) |
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| 9/28 | Ch. 6 - Pages of the Past | M - Exam remediation W - Sedimentary Rocks F - Lab Intro to Rocks |
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| 10/5 | Ch. 7 - Metamorphism | M/W - Metamorphism: A Process of Change F - Lab - Sedimentary Rocks |
Pet Rocks - Due Oct. 14 on Blackboard |
| 10/12 | Ch. 8 - Earthquakes Ch. 9 - Geologic Structures and Mountain Building |
M - Intro video to earthquakes; Earthquakes lecture W - Geologic Structures; Geologic Structures diagrams F - Lab - Metamorphic Rocks |
List and describe 5 earthquake hazards; due Oct. 16 on Blackboard Dr. Seuss topics and Partners due Oct. 19 via email (bjspieler@ysu.edu) |
| 10/19 | Ch. 10 - How Old is Old? | M - Geologic Time W - In class relative dating diagrams F - Lab - Geologic time |
MInor Canyon diagrams due Oct. 23 |
| 10/26 | M - Review for exam W - Exam 2 (Ch. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) F - Lab - Topographic Maps F - Exam Remediation |
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| 11/2 | Ch. 13 - Unsafe Ground Ch. 14 - Streams |
M - Mass wasting; Landslide video W - Streams and floods F - Podcast workday F - Lab - Stream features in Google Earth |
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| 11/9 | Ch. 17 -- Geology of Deserts | M/W - Agents of Erosion Podcast presentations F - Lab - Mill Creek Park virtual field trip |
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| 11/16 | Ch. 18 - Glaciers | M - Dr. Seuss project work day W - Glaciers and Ice Ages F - Lab - Ohio Glaciation |
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| 11/23 | M - Glaciers continued W and F - No Class Thanksgiving Holiday |
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| 11/30 | M - Dr. Seuss Presentations Round 1 W - Dr. Seuss Presentations Round 2 F - Dr. Seuss Presentations Round 3 F - Exam 3 Review |
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| 12/7 | FINAL EXAM MONDAY DEC. 7 10:30-12:30 (Ch. 13, 14, 17, 18) |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.