Course Syllabus

Geology 105: History of Life
Course Schedule
Course Syllabus
Course Topics
Lecture Notes
Study Guides
Homework Assignments
Exams
Resources
Geologic Time Scale

Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus
1/28/98
Updated: 6/18/98

Geology 105 - History of Life

MWF 12:10 - 13:00 Spring 1998 - Room TH 329

Instructor: Dr. Tom Clifton
Office Hours: Wed 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Fri 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Office Location: Thornton Hall, room 623
Phone: 415 338 2080 or 650 969 4384 (ES Designs)
e-mail: clifton@es-designs.com
Required Text: Lane, N. Gary, Life in the Past (3rd edition) Macmillan Publishing Co.

I. Course Description

This 3-unit general education course discusses the 4 billion year history of life on earth, as interpreted from the fossil record. We will emphasize the diversity of life through geological time, including the origin, evolution, and extinction of the major groups of animals and plants. In addition, we will assess impacts of changing landscapes and geologic environments on the history of life. Lectures will be augmented with overhead transparencies, slides, and films.

II. Course Requirements

1. Class attendance is very important. Exam questions are drawn primarily from the lecture material, including film questions. While attendance is not recorded, your scores on exams typically reflect your classroom attendance.

2. Text reading and film/study questions are equally important. In order to retain the large amount of material covered in this class it is best to peruse the assigned chapters in the textbook before the instructor lectures on the material. After the lecture you should re-read the chapter and note the topics emphasized during the lectures.

3 . Two mid-term exams and one final exam are scheduled (see schedule). NO MAKEUP EXAMS GIVEN AT ANY TIME! Many of the questions on the exams will be drawn from the films and study questions, as well as concepts discussed in class. The midterm exams will consist of multiple choice and true/false questions. The final exam will be comprehensive, however, it will emphasize the material covered after the second mid-term exam.

III. Grading

1. Letter grades will be based on the following percentages:

A (+/-) 90-100%
B (+/-) 80-89%
C (+/-) 70-79%
D (+/-) 60-69%
F <60%
2. Point distribution:

Midterm 1 50 pts. (22%)
Midterm 2 50 pts. (22%)
Homework Assignments 50 pts. (22%)
Final Exam 75 pts. (34%)
Total Possible Points: 225 pts.

NOTE: If you elect to take the course for the credit/no credit option (CR/NC), you must receive a grade of C- or higher to receive credit. If you intend to sign-up for CR/NC please inform the instructor in writing by March 11.