Prof. Stephen Altaner
244 NHB (mailbox in 245 NHB), 244-1244, altaner@uiuc.edu
Office Hours = Th 2 - 3, Fri 10 - 11, or by appointment
To purchase access to The Good Earth on-line
textbook Web Site, go to http://www.mhhe.com/earthsci/geology/mcconnell/
You need a credit card. Need textbook web site for assigned
readings AND to complete several homework assignments. Limited
reading assignments in 2 books (Murck et al. + Keller); several
copies on reserve in Geology library (223 NHB).
Teaching Assistant (Emily Berna) answers questions about homework assignments, Class Web site, grades in Illinois Compass Web site, + error sheets.
Class Web Site = http://classes.geology.uiuc.edu/05FallClass/geo118 Class Web site has lecture note summaries, which can be printed before class. Before contacting Prof. Altaner, look at FAQ file, found using link from home page of Class Web site. Many routine questions are answered there.
Grading based on 3 exams, 6 Web Exercises, 1 writing assignment, + 3 quizzes. Extra credit = 1 bonus question on each exam + Web Exercise #5, worth up to 12 points. Extra credit is added to exam score or total homework score. Gradebook in Illinois Compass Web site for GEOL 118 has student grades. Plus/minus grading system is used, i.e., A+, A, A-, etc. No grade curves unless class average for exam is less than 77%; points added to achieve at least 77% class average for exams.
3 Exams, each worth 22% of grade. Two exams during semester + final exam, which covers only last third of semester. Questions based on lecture notes; format = multiple choice, true/false, + matching. Bring photo ID to exams. For unavoidable conflicts, contact Prof. Altaner BEFORE exam to schedule make-up exam. Because exam #1 is held in evening, one class period (Oct. 7) is canceled. Optional Question/Answer sessions are held day before each hourly exam + on reading day before final exam.
6 Homework exercises based on information + tutorials on World Wide Web. Probable due dates for web exercises are:
Sept. 12 (Population Growth + Natural Disaster Info on Web)
Sept. 23 (Earthquakes)
Oct. 10 (Volcanoes)
Oct. 21 (Landslides)
Oct. 31 (Severe Weather - Extra Credit)
Dec. 5 (Floods)
Web Exercises are available only through Class Web site, usually 1 week before due date. Answers on bubble sheets, provided in class. First Web Exercise is available Sept. 2 + due Sept. 12. Contact TA with questions about Web Exercises. 10% penalty for each day assignment is late. Assignments >5 days late are not accepted.
Essay on natural disaster that affected your life or
one that frightens you; due by 3 pm on Nov. 11. By 3 pm on Nov.
18 you will review 3 example essays for this assignment, 3 essays
written by other students in course, + your own essay. If you
do not submit essay by 3 pm on Nov. 11, you will not be able to
complete any of assignment. No time extensions unless you can
verify major illness or personal emergency.
3 pop Quizzes, which cover material in preceding lecture.
During quiz, students can consult notes, but not textbook. Quiz
last 5 minutes + consist of 5 questions in true-false, multiple
choice + matching format. Quizzes are made up only if student
has official University excuse (e.g., verified family emergency
or illness such as letter from Emergency Dean or notice of McKinley
visit). Contact TA for make-up quiz, which must be completed within
1 week of quiz date. Do not contact Prof. Altaner or TA to ask
if quiz will be given on specific future date or to inform them
of planned future absence.
As courtesy to others, please turn off all cell phones during class. If you have to communicate with someone by phone during class, you must do it outside of the classroom. In general, there should be no extended personal conversations in classroom.