Instructor: Dr. Carol Thompson
Office: 117 Science--ext. .9739
Email: cthompson@tarleton.edu
Office Hours: Posted on my web page

Text: None, readings in library, handouts and on internet

There are some basic references we will refer to a lot
Environmental Geology - Lawrence Lundgren ($8-20 used, $40+ new)

Website
http://www.tarleton.edu/~physci/CT/Geol5103/Index.html
Copies of syllabus, class info, study guides, grades, links

Grading:
Exams (2) 100 pts each
Exams will be essay.

Class Participation/Discussion/Homework 120 pts
There is a lot of reading. You MUST keep up with the reading. This class is strongly interactive. This will be accomplished in several ways:
Question/Discussion topics: There will be questions posed on readings. These will be for class discussion. Non-participation garners no points.
Homework/Class assignments: This will be a very hands-on class and we will have a variety of assignments.

Paper and Presentation 75 pts each
You will be required to do a paper and presentation on an Environmental Geology topic of your choice subject to my approval. It should be 8-10 pages, (double-spaced, 1 inch margins, 11 pt. font). At least 10 references are required and may not be internet sources - unless these are standard refereed or government publications. This may require interlibrary loan or a trip to a larger library. I can help you with this if so desired.
A useful discussion of content in research papers can be found at http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu/~HNR094-05/Guidelines.html from the intro geology class at UC-Berkeley. The paper will be graded on organization, content, grammar and spelling, and appropriate use of references. The presentation will be graded on clarity, organization, presentation materials, and apparent knowledge of subject. Treat this as a professional presentation and use Powerpoint or other appropriate graphic aids. The length of the presentation will be dependant on how many students there are, but plan on about 20 minutes with additional 5 minutes for questions.

There is a timeline below for the paper. I will read and critique the papers and then return them to you for rewriting. There is no sense in turning in a paper that you will never rewrite. This is the name of the game - most of the papers you see published have been rewritten many times. Don't freak about the number of comments that may occur on the paper, having someone edit your paper thoroughly is the best way to learn. The paper due on Nov 8 should be close to a finished product, not a draft.

Sep 13 Selection of topic
Oct 4 Preliminary list of references
Nov 8 Paper due
Nov 15 Paper returned
Nov 29/Dec 6 Presentations
Dec 6 Final paper due (include original paper)

Class Dates:
Aug 30, Sep 6, 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11(Test), 18, 25, Nov 1, 8, 15, 29; Dec 6
Final Dec 13

Topics
Below are listed the topics we may cover in class. Readings will be posted on the webpage as they are developed.

Hydrology
Review of hydrologic cycle
Time trends in precipitation
Data sources for hydrologic data
Water balance

Homework: Recurrence Interval of Floods (Due Sep 6)

Floods
Measuring flows, prediction
Types and causes of floods
Flood estimation methods
Flood hazard mapping
Flood movie

Homework: Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Due Sep 13)

Coastal Flooding/Storm Hazards
Background
Hazard mapping
Hazard mitigation
Laws

Homework: Shoreline Property Evaluation (Due Sep 20)

Stormwater
Runoff calculations/rainfall frequency
Ungaged watersheds
Laws governing
Management
Movie
http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/owswphase2_111605/

Groundwater Resources
GW availability, use
Problems, overuse, pollution
Management- Wellhead, SWAP

Homework: Groundwater Laws

Karst
Nature of problem
Geologic constraints
Solutions, cautions

Soil erosion/Sediment Yield
Background - sediment transport
Historical work
Soil erosion data
Methods of estimating soil loss
Methods to control erosion, effectiveness

Mass Wasting
Causes, types,
Prediction methods
Slope stabilization methods

Homework: Landslide Hazard

Subsidence
Causes
Nature of associated problems

Homework: Subsidence exercise handout

Radon
Nature of problem
Sources, solutions

Energy Resources
Mineral and power resources
Associated problems of extraction/disposal
Coal

Nuclear Waste Disposal
WIPP
Yucca Mountain

Global Warming
Geologic evidence
Ice core data
Geologic constraints and reservoirs

I. Tarleton State University's Policy on Cheating: Tarleton State University expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonesty, cheating, or plagiarism in academic work shall be subject to disciplinary action. Refer to the Student Handbook for detailed information regarding this subject.
II. Services for Students with Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities may request reasonable accommodations which will enable them to participate in and benefit from all educational programs and activities. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires that academic accommodation be made on an individual or case by case basis. This legislation requires the University to ensure that it is programmatically and structurally accessible to all students. Students should contact Dr. Dwayne Snider at 968-9103 or come by his office in Room 237 of the Administration Building. Dr. Snider is the ADA Officer on campus. Refer to the Student Handbook for detailed information regarding this subject.
III. Attendance Policy: Unexcused absences after the third time may be cause for reduction of the grade. Students are expected to regularly attend all classes in which they are enrolled. Students are responsible for their attendance and consulting with the instructor regarding class attendance. Please refer to the current University Catalog for additional information regarding class attendance.
IV. Grading Policy: Please refer to the current University Catalog for additional information regarding grading and course withdrawal policies. For this course, your grade will be determined as described previously.