Quizzes: I will give 8-10 quizzes over the course of the semester. Occasionally I will colllect the preparation questions as a quiz. I drop the lowest quiz grade - there are no makeup quizzes given.

Research project:You are required to choose a topic that you will write a 6-10 page paper and present to the class during the final lab period. This can be an analysis of materials that we collect in the field (tree cores, sediment cores), it can be an analysis of a dataset availablle in the Wooster Tree Ring Lab or on the web, or it can be some other topic of interest. I do expect a written page outlining your project and at least 5 references and a first draft of your paper in mid November. All final papers are due on the final day of class.

Presentations: You are required to give 3 informative 10-minute Powerpoint presentations to the class. These will be topics chosen from a sheet I han out in class and will pertain to the broad topics of Deep Time Examples of Climate Change, Other Dating Methods, and Climate Impact on Civilizations. These are important topics that we can't do justice to during the course and so each of you will present some information on them.

Labs

There will be two lab projects one tree-ring based and the other analysis of sediment cores. The schedule of analyses if flexible because we do not have the cores in hand - we will be sampling in September and then analyzing the material for the remainder of the term. Some classtime will be used as lab time and vice versa.

Grading

Assignments	% of Grade	Dates & Notes
Exams (3)	40	26 Sept., 31 Oct., Final
Quizzes (8-10)	15	Anytime -I drop the lowest score
Labs	20	Handouts and participation
Reports (3)	10	Oral presentations
Research Project	10	Paper and presentation
Class Participation	5	Discussions and attendance

 

Teaching Assistant

Mike Krivicich , a senior Geology major will be the TA for the course. Mike took the class in Fall 2006 and will help out in labs as well as give you a hand for logistics (powerpoint etc.) for class presentations.

Schedule Conflicts

The faculty of the College has recently approved a new policy regarding conflicts between extracurricular and academic events. The policy reads as follows: "The College of Wooster is an academic institution and its fundamental purpose is to stimulate its students to reach the highest standard of intellectual achievement. As an academic institution with this purpose, the College expects students to give the highest priority to their academic responsibilities. When conflicts arise between academic commitments and complementary programs (including athletic, cultural, educational, and volunteer activities), students, faculty, staff, and administrators all share the responsibility of minimizing and resolving them. As a student you have the responsibility to inform the faculty member of potential conflicts as soon as you are aware of them, and to discuss and work with the faculty member to identify alternative ways to fulfill your academic commitments without sacrificing the academic integrity and rigor of the course."

 

Instructor

I have a weekly appointment schedule posted on my office door in Scovel 119. You can also contact me via email if you have any questions (gwiles).

Academic Honesty and the Code of Academic Integrity

The College’s understanding and expectations in regard to issues of academic honesty are fully articulated in the Code of Academic Integrity as published in the Scot’s Key and form an essential part of the implicit contract between the student and the College. The Code provides a framework at Wooster to help students develop their own personal integrity.

While you are a student at this college, you will be treated as an adult. You are expected to know and abide by the rules of the institution as described in the Scot’s Key and The Handbook of Selected College Policies. You should cite your sources to avoid plagiarizing ideas and text. Particular attention should be directed to the appropriate use of materials available on-line through the Internet. It is important that you read and understand the ethical use of information. Whether intentional or not, improper use of materials can be considered a violation of academic honesty.

Cheating in any of your academic work is a serious breach of the Code of Academic Integrity and is grounds for an F for the entire course. Such violations include turning in another person’s work as your own, copying or paraphrasing from any source without proper citation, going beyond what is allowed in a group project, fabricating excuses and lying in connection with your academic work. You will be held responsible for your actions. If you are unsure as to what is permissible, always consult your course instructor.