Geoscience Education in the Mountain State:
CATS Environmental Geology Telecourse--Course Syllabus

National Science Foundation	Project CATS--Coordinated & Thematic Science	West Virginia University, Department of Geology & Geography	West Virginia University, College of Human Resources & Education	West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey
Telecourse material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation and the West Virginia Department of Education. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the West Virginia Department of Education.

Environmental Geology 290 - Fall 1999

WVU Course Registration Number 85286, Section 6W1

This 290-level course counts for graduate credited needed for certification or compensation improvements. If you have any questions, please ask your advisor.

Revised Syllabus - September 27, 1999

Environmental Geology Course Broadcasts: These are the classes that make up the course itself. Each will discuss several different aspects of environmental geology. This material is eligible for inclusion on quizzes and tests.

     Class #1     September 13, 1999     6-8pm
     Class #2     September 27, 1999     6-8pm
     Class #3       October 11, 1999     6-8pm
     Class #4      November  1, 1999     6-8pm
     Class #5      November 15, 1999     6-8pm
     Class #6      November 29, 1999     6-8pm

Alternative & Adjunct Broadcasts: These OPTIONAL classes are provided for those who have an interest in expanding their understanding of particular or timely issues or would like to review their understanding of basic geologic concepts like minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, etc. The material presented in these four broadcasts is NOT eligible for inclusion on environmental geology quizzes or tests.

     Alternative & Adjunct     September 20, 1999     Rocks & Minerals
     Alternative & Adjunct        October 4, 1999     Plate Tectonics
     Alternative & Adjunct       October 18, 1999     To be announced
     Alternative & Adjunct       November 8, 1999     To be announced

Broadcast Locations: Fayetteville, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Flatwoods, Martinsburg, Spencer, Logan, Craigsville, Elkins, Franklin, Marlinton, Pine Grove, Grafton, Wheeling, Wellsburg, and Fairmont. Additional sites can be added if needed.

Free Required Text: Geology and the Environment by Pippkin and Trent, 2nd ed., West Wadsworth, ISBN: 0-314-09239-0 (paperback).

Additional Content Source Material: The videotape series Cadillac Desert, will be used as part of this course. The time and place of watching this series will be left to the discretion of the site facilitator and participants. Each site facilitator will be provided with a purchased copy of the series.

Course Evaluation Procedures:

     Points:  Four quizzes at 25 points                    = 100 points
              One investigative research paper/lesson plan = 200 points
              One final exam                               = 100 points
              Exploratory                                  = 100 points

Grades will be determined using a percentage scale of 90-100%=A; 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, less than 60%=F.

Details of the course evaluation procedures--

QUIZZES: Each will be based on the live broadcasts and potential important segments of the Cadillac Desert videotapes series. Questions will be posted during the 10-minute break. Questions will also be posted on the course Web site the day AFTER the broadcast. Each quiz is due before the next course broadcast. In essence, you have two weeks to complete a quiz. They will be collected by the site facilitator and mailed in for grading. As with the final exam and research paper, you have the option of mailing in your quiz. Please note--mailed quizzes must be postmarked with a date before the next course broadcast. PAPER COPIES OF THE QUIZ WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED BEFORE THE BROADCAST--REFER TO THE BROADCAST TAPE OR THE WEB SITE FOR THE QUESTIONS.

RESEARCH PAPER/LESSON PLAN: This paper will be graded on two considerations. First, a maximum of 100 points will be given for content relevancy and accuracy. Second, a maximum of 100 points will be given for use of appropriate pedagogy and completeness of idea discussion. The goal of this paper is to have each participant investigate a geologically related environmental situation in their home area. After establishing a content framework of the issue, they will then describe how they might use this issue in a classroom situation. Due on November 29 at the beginning of the last broadcast.

FINAL EXAM: One final test distributed after the last live broadcast. Multiple choice, true/false, short answer essay with some sketches to complete or discuss. Will be distributed by site facilitators at the end of the November 29 broadcast. You will be provided with a pre-stamped envelop to return your final test. It must be postmarked no later than December 8, 1999. Participants submitting tests postmarked after December 8 will have points deducted and receive an incomplete for the course. This means the grade will not be officially posted on transcripts until the Spring semester.

EXPLORATORY: For those enrolled for credit, active participation in an Exploratory session (100 points) is required. FAILURE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN AN EXPLORATORY WILL LOWER YOUR FINAL COURSE GRADE BY ONE FULL LETTER GRADE. Each Exploratory is an overnight event. You must attend one of two sessions--not both. One begins Friday at noon and ends Saturday at 1:00pm. The Second session begins at noon on Saturday and ends at 2:00pm on Sunday. Room and trip transportation will be provided. Participants are responsible for their own meals. A letter from the Dept. of Education supporting requests for substitutes will be provided along with $60 to cover the cost of the substitute but each participant is responsible for making arrangements for substitutes with their local school boards. The first Exploratory will be on October 1, 2, and 3 in the Parkersburg area. The second will be on November 12, 13, and 14 in the Summersville area.

COMMUNICATIONS: This is a distance education class. We will rely heavily on e-mail and the class Web site. Transcripts, assignments, quizzes, and announcements will be posted. Other information will be distributed using a participant's e-mail distribution list. All participants are strongly urged to have active e-mail accounts and Web access. You are urged to keep copies of all materials, tests, etc. delivered to the instructors through the normal postal system.

WVGES Education Specialist, Tom Repine (repine@wvgs.wvnet.edu)

Page last revised: September 1999

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            West Virginia Geological & Economic Survey
  Address:  Mont Chateau Research Center
            Cheat Lake exit off I-68
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