Contact  Information

• Professor: Dr. G. Jay Lennartson
• Class Meetings: MWF 9:00-9:50; Graham 106
• Office: Graham 116E
• Phone: 334-3913
• Email: gjlennar@uncg.edu
• WWW: http://www.uncg.edu/~gjlennar/geo106.html
• Office Hours: MWF 11 a.m. - Noon
• Geography Department: Graham 129
• Geography Department Phone: 334-5489

• In Geosystems Science you will learn about Earth's dynamic systems--its energy, air, weather, climate, water, tectonics, landforms, rocks, soils, plants, ecosystems, and biomes.
• You will develop an understanding of important local and global-scale enviornmental challenges, as well as an appreciation for the complexities associated with environmental issues.
• You will learn about the interrconnectedness of people and Earth's physical and biological systems.
• Geosystems Science includes applications to natural resources management and environmental planning.

Student Learning Outcomes

• After completion of GEO 106 students will be able to:

• Explain the spatial dimension of Earth's dynamic inorganic and organic systems
• Describe how Earth’s major subsystems are interconnected
• Describe the nature and makeup of Earth’s major inorganic subsystems
• Explain and describe key process that occur within Earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
• Collect and analyze lithospheric, hydrologic, and atmospheric data
• Explain the nature and significance of important local and global environmental problems
• With a basic knowledge of the Earth and the processes that have shaped it, students will have a greater appreciation for our home—Planet Earth.

• Required Textbook: "Geosystems" (5th Edition), by Christopherson, 2003
• An interactive CDROM (GEODE) is on 2-hour reserve in the library to help reinforce fundamental geoscience principles.
• Throughout the semester you will be asked to visit and explore various WWW sites.  Visits to these sites will serve to augment lecture discussions and textbook reading assignments.

• There will be a total of three 50 minute exams.  Each exam will be equally weighted.  Each of the three exams will count for 26.6 % of your grade.  In total, exams are worth 80% of your final grade in the course.  If you miss -- for whatever reason -- one of the three semester exams, you will be required to take a cumulative final exam.  The exam will be administered on Wednesday, May 7 (Reading Day), at 9:00 a.m in Graham 106.  That will be your one and only opportunity to make up your missed exam.
• Examinations will draw questions from my lectures and your textbook.
• Some topics in the text and posted lecture material will be emphasized more than others. My lectures should be used as a guide to the material that is most important for exams.
• The remaining 20% of your grade in the course will come from a variety of in- and out-of-class exercises, and class participation.
• Late assignments will not be accepted -- for any reason whatsoever (medical or other).

Attendance

• Attendance in lecture (and lab) is critical and you are expected to attend all classes!!  Attendance will be taken each class.
• After three unexcused absences I will drop your final course grade by one letter grade for each additional absence.
• (Unexcused absences are those that do not result from documented illness or emergency.)
• If you are more than 5 minutes late to a class, your tardiness will count as an absence -- no excuses.

Course Resources and Success in GEO 106
 

• Lecture notes/outlines for upcoming lectures generally will be available from the course home page: http://www.uncg.edu/~gjlennar/geo106.html
• Lectures will be conducted based on the expectation that you have familiarized yourself with the posted lecture notes and reading assignment on a particular topic prior to coming to class.
• Obtain assistance from me - at the earliest possible opportunity - if you have questions regarding the lecture material or the reading assignments.
• I encourage you to come visit me during my office hours (MWF 11 a.m.-Noon); or if these times are not convenient for you, please contact me via email to schedule an appointment.

Miscellaneous Information

• Any student in this class who has a documented disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements and accommodations.
• Final grades once posted will not be changed under any circumstances (with the exception of clerical error).
• In all matters related to this course, it is expected that you will conduct yourself in an honorable fashion and exhibit the highest level of integrity.