Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Exploring Earth: Introduction to Geology (Face-to-Face)

GEO 1110-01

Course: GEO 1110-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: GEOS
CRN: 31255

Course Description

This course will introduce you to the essentials of the science of geology. Geology – the study of the Earth – is a diverse field that covers many aspects of the bio-physical world, and, here in southern Utah, we live in an incredible natural laboratory of geology. We will start by covering the foundations of geology – rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, volcanoes, sediments and fossils, mountain building and earthquakes. We will then focus more on geology in the modern environment. We will discuss mineral and energy resources, and then move on to how the land surface is modified by climate via water, ice and wind. It is this interaction of climate and hydrology across a diverse geological template that provides many of our natural resources and has shaped the amazing landscapes that we see today. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a Geosciences major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other course. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Physical Sciences 

Required Texts

Essentials of Geology, 7th Edition by Stephen Marshak, W. W. Norton & Company.
OR
An Introduction to Geology (free open access online textbook): http://opengeology.org/textbook/.

Learning Outcomes

(1) Demonstrate understanding of science as a way of knowing about the physical world
(2) Demonstrate understanding of forces in the physical world
(3) Discuss the flow of matter and energy through systems (in large and small scales)
(4) Develop evidence-based arguments regarding the effect of human activity on the Earth
(5) Describe how the Physical Sciences have been shaped by historical, ethical, and social contexts.

Course Requirements

-- Homework: Approximately bi-weekly in-class or online homework assignments. Assignments and due dates will be announced in class during the semester! Late assignments will be deducted 5% per day – please contact me in advance if you have circumstances that require extra time.
-- Exams: There will be two Midterm Exams and a Final Exam. Midterm and final exams cover material from lecture, text, and readings.  Test questions are multiple choice and short answer; some questions test your ability to connect concepts, other questions test your knowledge of basic facts. Focus your study on the in-class notes!
-- Geology Report: Students will write a short report that applies knowledge from the course to a unique geological feature, landscape, setting or problem of your choice. Each of you will first turn in a short proposal on your topic or feature at mid-semester, and produce a report based on your observations and due the last week of classes. A MORE DETAILED RUBRIC WILL BE PROVIDED DURING THE SEMESTER.

-- Grading:  Your course grade will be based on the following percentages.
  • Homework assignments: 30%
  • Two midterm exams: 40% (20% each)
  • Final exam: 20%
  • Geology Report: 10%

Course Outline

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE (be prepared for modifications):

Week | Dates | Topics | Reading | Homework
1 | 8/27-8/29 | Introduction to Earth Structure | Ch 1, Ch 2 | Intro HW
2 | 9/1, 9/3-9/5 | Labor Day – NO CLASS; Plate Tectonics - foundation of earth processes |  Ch 2, Ch 10 | 
3 | 9/8-9/12 | Minerals and Igneous Rocks; Introduction to Volcanoes | Ch 3, Ch 4 | HW #1: Plate Tectonics and Minerals
4 | 9/15-9/19 | Types of Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards; Review of the Rock Cycle | Ch 5Int C, Ch 6 | HW #2: Igneous Rocks and Volcanoes
5 | 9/22-9/26 | Sedimentary Rocks and Depositional Environments | Ch 6 |   
6 | 9/29, 10/1-10/3 | MIDTERM EXAM 1 (9/29); Sedimentary Basins; Southern Utah Geology |  Ch 6 |  HW #3: Exam Review
7 | 10/6-10/10 | Mountain Building and Geologic StructuresEarthquakes: Causes and Hazards | Ch9Ch 8 | HW #4: Geological Observation
8 | 10/1310/15-10/18 | Fall Break – NO CLASS; Earthquakes wrap-up; Metamorphic Rocks |  Ch 7 |
9 | 10/20-10/24 | Mineral and Energy Resources | Ch 12 | HW #5: Energy Resources
10 | 10/27-10/29, 10/31 | Hydrology, Weathering, Landforms; MIDTERM EXAM 2 (10/31) | Int F  | HW #6: Exam Review
11 | 11/3-11/7 | Soils, Landslides, Mass Movements | Int B, Ch 13 |  
12 | 11/10-11/14 | Watersheds and Floods; Rivers: Meandering and Braided | Ch 14 | HW #7: Landslides and Rivers
13 | 11/17-11/21 | Dams and Water in the West; Groundwater: Concepts and Resources | Ch 16 | Geo. Report Due (11/21)
14 | 11/24-11/28 | Thanksgiving Break - NO CLASS |   |
15 | 12/1-12/5 | Coastal Processes and Landforms; Glaciers, Glacial Landforms, and Ice Ages | Ch 15Ch 18, Ch 19 |
16 | 12/10 | FINAL EXAM (12/10) |  | HW #8: Final Exam Review

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work may not be accepted without prior instructor approval. Late work will be deducted 5% per day, and must be made up within TEN DAYS. We can accommodate some problems or situations, but you must let us know about them as soon as possible. If you know in advance that you will be missing a class or assignment and would like to make it up, let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements. 

Attendance Policy

Coursework and exams are focused on material covered in class, and thus class attendance is vital to success in the course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.