GEOLOGY 155 – Oceanography Lab

Summer 2006	Instructor: Sonjia Leyva

Lab: M. 12:40 – 2:20 pm	Office: PS 221, 323-343-2149

Room: PS 211	Office Hours: M. 2:30 – 3:00 pm

Webpage: www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sleyva	Email: sleyva@calstatela.edu

Course Description: This laboratory class is the second portions of the Geology 155 Oceanography class. The laboratory requirement is met through 100 minutes of in-class instruction and a one-day cruise on the Yellowfin oceanographic vessel. Fulfills 4 units in the B2 Block of the GE Requirements

Course Objectives: This course is structured around an oceanographic cruise on our Research Vessel Yellowfin. In class we will learn about the bathymetry and features of the seafloor, the physical and chemical properties of water, the various types of marine sediments, and development of beaches and their response to human activity. On the cruise you will work with the instruments that oceanographers use to gather their data and you will take and record data readings. After the cruise is over and we are back in the classroom, we will work together with the collected data to interpret it and to help you gain a better understanding of how the oceanographers use the data to evaluate the nature, condition, and workings of the ocean.

Text & Materials:

You will need to bring the following to every lab session.

•	SYLLABUS And STUDY GUIDE FOR OCEANOGRAPHY FIELD LABORATORY – THE OCEANOGRAPHIC CRUISE ABOARD THE R.V. YELLOWFIN, Ivan P. Colburn.

•	a calculator, color pencils, a ruler (combination metric/standard scale)

Date	Lab Topic	Assignment	Date Due
6/19	Introduction & Bathymetry	Latitude & Longitude, Contour Lines & Cross-Section

Homework: Ex. 1, 2 & 3 (P 60 – 70)	6/26
6/26	Bathymetry	Ex. 1, 2 & 3 (P 60 – 70)	7/03
7/03	Sea Water Chemistry	Ex. 4 (Pg 71)	7/10
7/10	Sea Water Chemistry	Appendix: Physical and Chemical Properties of Seawater	7/17
7/17	Midterm Exam
7/22	Boat Trip! 11:30 am - 4:30 pm	Section N: (P. 75 – 95)	7/22
7/24	Boat Trip Review	Section N: (P. 75 – 95)	7/31
7/31	Sediments - extra credit EQ kits due	Appendix: Marine Sediments	8/07
8/07	Shoreline Processes	Video & Handout	8/14
8/14	Waves and Currents - extra credit due	Video & Handout	8/18
8/18	Beach Trip	Handout	8/18
8/21	Final Exam

REQUIREMENTS

Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend each laboratory period and to arrive on time. The laboratory period will start with a brief discussion on the techniques and concepts needed for the day's laboratory assignment. Since it will not be possible to go over these materials more than once during the laboratory period, it is necessary for students to arrive on time. It will be difficult to make up missed laboratory periods. However, if you miss a laboratory period of valid reasons (illness), it will up to you to make arrangements to complete the lab exercise. You will receive 2 points per lab session for attendance (total of 20 points).

Exams: Two equally weighted exams are scheduled for the course: one midterm and one final. Each exam counts 100 points. Make-up exams will be given only to those who can verify a valid excuse for missing an exam. The make-up will be given at a time that is mutually agreeable to both the student and myself, but must be arranged prior to the initial exam. Failure to take the make-up will result in the missed exam counting in as a zero. Your grades will be available on the class website, www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sleyva/grades/index.html.

Labs: A new laboratory assignment will be given for each laboratory period. The assignments will be due the following week at the beginning of class unless otherwise noted. Students are encouraged to work together in completing the laboratory work. However, each student should be sure to understand the techniques and concepts involved because midterm and final exam test problems will be very similar to laboratory problems. Labs are due the following week unless otherwise noted - no exceptions. Missed labs must be made up within two weeks or a grade of 0 (zero) will be given for the lab.

Field Trips: Attending the field trips is an absolute requirement. What we learn in class is geared to what we will observe during the field trips. Missing either of the field trips will result in you failing the course. There is a $10 fee (payable at the cashier's office) In addition, students are required to complete and sign a waiver before attending the field trip. The waiver and a copy of your paid fee are required prior to the trip.

METHODS OF EVALUATION

Total possible class points will come from the following assignments:

Points	Total points possible	% of grade
Exams	2 tests @ 100 points each	200	33%
Labs	ave 20 points each	180	27%
Field Trips	2 trips @ 100 points each	200	33%
Attendance	2 points per lab session	20	7%
600	100%

You may do up to 15 points of extra credit work to raise your total points earned. .All extra credit with the exception of the EQ kit is due the last day of class - not the day of the final! Your grade is based on your percentage score out of 600 points. A class grade will be assigned according to the following scale: A= 90%; B = 80-89%; C= 70-79% D= 60-69%; F=< 60%. NOTE: YOUR LAB GRADE IS WORTH ONE QUARTER (25%) AND YOUR LECTURE GRADE IS WORTH THREE QUARTERS (75%) OF YOUR OVERALL GENERAL GEOLOGY GRADE.

Lab Grade	Points	Points applied to lecture grade (100% = 25 points)
A = >90%	> 540.0 points	22.5 – 25.0 points
B = 80-89%	480.0 - 539.9 points	20.0 – 22.5 points
C = 70-79%	420.0 - 479.9 points	17.5 – 20.0 points
D = 60-69%	360.0 - 419.9 points	15.0 – 17.5 points
F = < 60%	< 360.0 points	< 15 points

Your grades will be available on the class website, www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sleyva/grades/index.html.

YOUR LAB GRADE IS WORTH ONE QUARTER (25%) AND YOUR LECTURE GRADE IS WORTH THREE QUARTERS (75%) OF YOUR OVERALL GENERAL GEOLOGY GRADE.

Want to get a good grade? Here's how:

1.	Attend every class.

2.	Take notes and review them after class and before exams.

3.	Read your textbook.

4.	Ask questions. You are responsible for studying.

IMPORTANT POLICIES (a.k.a. the "fine print")

1.	Make-up exams will be given only to those who can verify a valid excuse for missing a quiz. The make-up will given at a time that is mutually agreeable to both the student and myself. Failure to take the make-up will result in the missed exam counting in as a zero.

2.	University policy allows a grade of incomplete to be given only to those who have been sick, injured, or have a similar valid excuse. Incompletes will not be given after poor performance in the course.

3.	If you are repeating any Cal State L.A. course in order to remove a D or an F from your transcript, you must file an academic renewal petition in Administration 101 no later than the last day to add a class. Instructions for doing this may be found under "Academic Renewal" in your Schedule of Classes.

4.	University policy requires that all students shall be graded in exactly the same fashion. What does this mean? You may not ask for extra assignments or to repeat an exam to improve your grade, or additional assignments after the course is completed.

5.	The University has a clearly defined policy on Academic Honesty. This policy will be enforced in this class. Cheating and plagiarizing will not be tolerated. Students caught plagiarizing and/or cheating will be subject to the consequences and set forth in the University Catalog, Appendix D - Academic Honesty. You can access it online at: http://catalog.calstatela.edu

6.	Avoid the hassles. Take the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) after you have completed your English Composition and prior to the completion of 135 units in order to avoid a registration hold. The dates for the WPE are published in the Schedule of Classes. Enroll by registering in UNIV 400 and paying the $15 exam fee. Do it now!!!