SO461 Course Policy Statement

Fall 2013

Instructor: Prof. P.L. Guth

            Available Hours: By arrangement (usually in)

Text: Kearey & Vine, Global Tectonics, 3^rd edition

 Course Objectives:

1. Understand the unifying role that plate tectonics provides marine geology.

2. Learn the use of gravity, magnetic, heat flow, imaging side scan sonars, earthquake seismology, and seismic reflection data to learn the history of the ocean basins.

3. Know the major topographic, structural, and stratigraphic features of the oceans.

4. Collect marine geologic field data in the field.

 Course Policy and Guidelines:

Students in this course will come to class prepared, alert and ready to actively participate in classroom discussions.  The following course policies are listed for your guidance:

A.  Reading Assignments:  Will be completed prior to each class, and may be included on quizzes prior to coverage in lecture.  The text will be brought to class to utilize graphs, tables, figures, etc. during lectures.  The instructor will also lecture from other material not readily available to the student. It is imperative that students keep well organized class notes.  The student is responsible for all material covered in class and during laboratory sessions.  The instructor will cover major topics and supplement text material in lecture, but some testable material will only be found by reading the text.  The frequency of unannounced quizzes will be driven by the level of interest and preparation demonstrated by students in class.

B.  Calculators: If calculators are required for graded work, students will be notified in advance, and the quiz or test will be in two parts: one with calculators allowed, and the other without.  Calculators will not be allowed otherwise.

C.  Cease Work:  Students will immediately stop work on all graded work when instructed to do so by the instructor.  Where I come from, failure to do so resulted in dismissal for an honor violation.  Here I will take up the matter with your company officer as failure to respond to a direct order and violation of written instructions.

D. Quizzes and Tests:  It is the student's responsibility  to inform the instructor of the reason for his/her absence, otherwise an unexcused absence is assumed.  Unannounced quizzes are the option of the professor should student preparation for class deteriorate to unacceptable levels.  You will not discuss the contents of any quiz or test until all students in the course have taken it.

The tests will be a mixture of definitions, short answer and problems.  The tests and the final exam will be open book.  Students can use their own copy of the textbook, with any notes they have permanently written in it.  No papers can be attached to the text, and class notes and handouts will not be allowed. Books will not be shared during the exam.  Because unscrupulous people may have access to Bancroft Hall, I suggest that you prominently write your name in your book and exercise reasonable precautions to keep it from wandering.  I will not listen to sob stories about why you don’t have a textbook for the tests.  The tests are designed so that you do not need the book to get an A, provided you have been studying and reading the assignments.   .

 E.  Absenteeism: If you miss a class or lab session you are responsible to get the notes, handouts and assignments from that session.  Lateness will be duly reported by the section leader or assistant section leader.

 F.  Extra Instruction:  The instructor has an open door policy, but you must find him in before you can take advantage of it.   The most efficient way to obtain E.I. is to make an appointment.  E.I. may not be possible on the spur of the moment; professors do have other commitments.  Come to E.I. prepared to recount what you have already done to find answers to your questions; have questions ready.  The key to education is learning to find answers on your own.  You will be encouraged to do just that (painful as it may be).  DO NOT come to E.I. expecting "gouge" as you will be disappointed.   There will be no E.I. for an exam, and questions answered, about the material on the exam after 0001 hours on the day the exam in scheduled.

 G.  Section Leaders:  Section Leaders and assistants are expected to be familiar with the procedures associated with the academic accountability system.  You are required to simply report what is true and allow the system to make judgments concerning guilt.

 H.  Grading.  If you do not keep up with the labs in this course you will probably have severe problems because the work will be cumulative.   Unless permission is granted for emergency illness or other compelling reason, papers, projects, and labs will be docked 100% if they are not turned in electronically at the start of class on the date assigned.  If  you will not be at class, you are still responsible for turning in the assignment electronically on time.  With the second late assignment your company officer will be contacted.

I.  Classroom Decorum.  In accord with USNA policy, there will be no eating or sleeping in class.  In accord with Oceanography Department policy, the only drinks allowed in the classroom will be a personal water bottle or covered coffee mug that will be removed at the end of the classroom and will not generate any trash.  Violators of this food and drink policy will be dismissed from class with a note to their company officer.  Once class starts and until class is dismissed, there will be no using the computers in the classroom unless directed by the instructor for class purposes.

Course web page:

Bookmark the course web page at  http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/website/so461.htm.  It will have the current syllabus, lessons objectives, advance material for the labs, and other important information.