Office Hours: MWF 12:40-1:40 pm, T 12:30-2:00 pm, whenever my door is open, or by appointment. If I am not in my office, check Computer Lab (123) then Sed Lab (back of 113)

Office Phone: 327-7332 (If you leave a message on the university answering service, you may not assume that I will receive that message in a timely manner. Contact me in person if problems arise with test dates or other due dates.)

Textbook: Process Geomorphology (3rd Edition), Ritter, D.F., Kochel, R.C., and Miller, J.R.

Lab Manual: Compilation of exercises developed and used by a number of my colleagues as well as original exercises developed by myself ($6.00 covers xeroxing costs).

    Process Geomorphology is the study of the origin and evolution of earth surface processes and their associated landforms. Understanding the physical process and the relations between process and landform are emphasized. Students in the course are expected to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the methods, assumptions, and limits of scientific inquiry

2. demonstrate familiarity with earth materials and maps, foundational concepts, classification schemes, geomorphic history and processes, and the structure of the Earth

3. demonstrate an understanding of the variability, complexity, and interdependency of processes within geomorphic systems

4. use their understanding of present geomorphic systems to make inferences about the past and future behavior of those systems

5. apply their geomorphic understanding to ethical, societal, and environmental issues

6. use computers as tools in the collection and analysis of data, in computation, and in presentation

7. demonstrate the ability to collect and analyze data both in field and laboratory settings in the styles of the discipline of geomorphology and appropriate to the audience

8. demonstrate problem-solving and critical-thinking skills

9. demonstrate the ability to learn geomorphology independently of the instructor

10. demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of geomorphic concepts (the intellectual history of the discipline)

11. integrate geomorphic knowledge and methodology with those from other disciplines
 

    Learning goals will be assessed through exam questions designed to evaluate scholarship concerning general content, lab assignments and reports, presentations of lab or project results, and a written project report.

    Grades will be based on 3 lecture/lab exams (30% of the total grade), lab assignments and reports (30%), two short presentations (10%) and a project paper and presentation (30%). Final grades will be based on the final percentage, at approximately the following scale: A ³90%, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, and D = 60-69. Grades <60 are failing (no credit). The course is a comprehensive examination of earth processes and forms. In this sense and spirit, the information covered on each exam is necessarily cumulative. Individual test scores will not be curved; however, the final grade scale will be adjusted if necessary. Extra credit is not available. If you are doing poorly, see me early. I may be able to offer suggestions concerning study habits to help you improve your grade; however, seeing me, and even seeing me often, will not necessarily improve your grade. I consider improvement throughout the term and class attendance and participation in cases of borderline grades. You will receive more information on the project and project presentation during the first and second weeks of class.

    I expect you to take exams at the scheduled time. If circumstances do not permit you to take exams at the scheduled time, you are absolutely required to inform me 24 hours in advance of the exam time in order to schedule an alternative exam time. The makeup exam will be at some convenient time following the scheduled exam time. It will not be possible to take the final exam before the scheduled exam time so please do not ask. I expect you always to do your own work, as specified in your student handbook.
 
 

    The geomorphology lab is an integral part of the course because it allows 'hands on' experience in studying and interpreting landforms and processes. While geomorphology is best studied in the field, it is not feasible to take a three-hour laboratory class into the field each week. The lab is intended to aid you in developing the skills necessary to visualize landforms from topographic maps and aerial photographs as if you were in the field and to introduce you to measuring techniques and simple statistical tests commonly utilized in geomorphic studies.

    This year we will focus our attention on fluvial systems, their landforms and processes, and contiguous systems. We will begin with field and map observations of these systems, both the associated landforms and flow processes, then expand our analysis to look at the system in the broader context of the drainage basin morphometry and hydrology. Soils developed in fluvial deposits may indicate timing of their deposition, a critical part of developing a history of the fluvial systems. Because fluvial systems are physically tied to contiguous environments, including hillslope, glacial, and karst environments, they are dependent on these system inputs of sediment and water. Finally, the fluvial system is superimposed on an older landscape, in the regional case partly fluvial and partly glacial in origin. By considering our study of geomorphology in this sense, my hope is that you begin to appreciate it for what it truly is, a complex and interconnected set of observations and measurements in both time and space. Sound weird, strange, convoluted? Ask questions. Ask more questions.

    Standard lab equipment that should be brought to lab each week should include sharp pencils, a few colored pencils, eraser, calculator, and ruled straight edge. Lab exercises have been compiled into a xeroxed lab manual which you are required to purchase. Cost of the manual is $ 6.00. Exercises addressed during the lab session will be due on the Friday following each lab. Some labs will be assigned as homework or will be worked on during lecture periods. Due dates for these labs will be agreed on in class. Labs must be done in pencil. Lab grades will be based in part on neatness; neatness begins with a sharp pencil and attention to detail. Several lab exercises will require short reports; these will include 3-4 page field reports in addition to field notes, figures, descriptions, etc. Reports are to be typewritten and double-spaced but will not necessarily follow the format of standard lab reports.