GEOL 1505H - Honors Physical Geology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 40096,
Credit hours: 4
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dr. Beej Spieler
Course Description
1505H. Honors Physical Geology. Concepts of the earth as a dynamic planet, investigated through a variety of lectures, text and journal readings, and independent library-research assignments. Prereq.: Eligibility for the Honors Program or consent of instructor. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Essentials of Geology | Marshak | 9780393644456 |
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 | Ch. 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 | Ch. 2: The Way the Earth Works | M/W - Plate Tectonics F - Lab - Plate Tectonics |
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| 9/7 | MONDAY NO CLASS, LABOR DAY Ch. 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 Volcan |
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 continued 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; lecture W - Geologic Structures and structure diagrams F - Lab - Ig/Met 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 - Geologic Time cont; 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 - Exam remediation F - Lab - Topographic maps |
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| 11/2 | Ch. 13 Unsafe Ground Ch. 14 Streams |
M - Mass wasting; landslides video W - Streams and flooding F - Podcast work day F -Lab - Stream features in Google Earth |
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| 11/9 | 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 WED/FRI NO CLASS THANKSGIVING BREAK |
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| 11/30 | M/W/F DR. SEUSS PRESENTATIONS F - Lab - Exam review |
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| 12/7 | LAB 3 - FINAL EXAM - MONDAY DEC. 7 10:30-12:30 |
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.