Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Igneous-Metamorphic Petrology (Face-to-Face)

GEO 3330-01

Course: GEO 3330-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: GEOS
CRN: 11053

Course Description

An introductory course in the petrology and petrography of igneous and metamorphic rocks emphasizing the observation and interpretation of rock texture, mineralogy, and chemical composition. Three (3) lectures per week. 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. (Spring - Even Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): GEO 3335 Prerequisite(s): GEO 3210 and GEO 3215 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): Geology majors only

Required Texts

An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology - John D. Winter OR
Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology - John D. Winter

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to:
Identify Igneous and Metamorphic rocks using the proper classification schemes
Identify key igneous and metamorphic textures
Discuss petrogenetic relationships amongst igneous and metamorphic rocks
Discuss origin and geochemical evolution of key igneous and metamorphic rocks
Students will also hone skills related to the following:
Student Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of the Physical World – Students will recall terminology, characterize principles of igneous and metamorphic processes. 
Inquiry and Analysis - Students will evaluate chemical data and textural features apply them to magmatic and metamorphic systems
Critical Thinking – Writing assignments such as annotated bibliographies in themes of igneous petrology will be utilized.  Students will be asked to comment on topics such as ethics, environmental impacts, and economics associated with regional igneous and metamorphic exposures.
Problem Solving – Students will think about key principles in class and apply them to real-world geologic scenarios

Course Requirements

Students are required to attend the scheduled course meetings.  
Students are required to participate in group discussions.
Students are required to complete all assigned work by the due date.

Weekly Assignments - 45% of total grade
Homework Assignments & Quizzes - 10% of total grade
Exams - 40% of total grade
Participation - 5% of total grade

Weekly assignments are posted every Monday morning and will be due at the beginning of class on Friday.  These assignments will assess rock and mineral identification skills as well as interpretive and communication skills.  Grading rubric will accompany the assignments.
Homework assignments will be assigned periodically to review key concepts.  Students will be given 3-5 days to complete the assignments.  
Exams will be partially completed in class and partially completed at home.  The in-class portion will assess rock/mineral ID skills and the take-home portion will assess critical thinking skills related to larger concepts.
The final exam will follow the mid-term exam format and will be completed during Finals Week.
Quizzes will be taken in class periodically and will assess key concepts from reading assignments.
Participation will be assessed via attendance and participation in group discussions, which are based on reading assignments.
All reading assignments will be announced in class and on Canvas.  They will be short assignments meant to prepare students for the next class discussion. 

Course Outline


There will be a weekly assignment assessing descriptive and interpretive skills.  The “Rock of the Week” assignment will be due every Friday unless otherwise noted.
-There will be in-class, group assignments that accompany key concepts while answering our big questions.  The group assignments will be completed in class.  No make up assignments will be allowed if missed. 
-There will be 2 larger assignments designed to help summarize all information gathered while answering the big questions.  These will be assigned near the end of each of the larger sections.
-There will be regular short quizzes to assess information from reading assignments and class discussions.  These quizzes will be based on the assigned readings.  Each student will submit a quiz question that they feel summarizes the reading topic.  Quizzes will take place in the first 5 minutes of class.  No make up quizzes will be allowed if missed.
-There will be 3 exams including the final.  Each of the two mid-term exams will focus on the big questions.  The final exam will be cumulative. 

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

Attendance and class participation is mandatory.  Assignments and exams are to be completed as scheduled unless there are extenuating circumstances and arrangements have been made ahead of time.  Otherwise, late work will not be accepted.  

Attendance Policy

Attendance and class participation is mandatory.  Assignments and exams are to be completed as scheduled unless there are extenuating circumstances and arrangements have been made ahead of time.  Otherwise, late work will not be accepted.  

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

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.