Geology 101-006 Notes: Course Information and Overview of Physical Geology
Course Information
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Course documents and information are posted on the course site, including:
Syllabus, outlines for each class, slides for each class, course announcements, grades, quizzes (and possibly online exams).
Quizzes will be taken on the course site; exams may also be online depending on offering and setup.
Syllabus contains all course information and policies; the full document is posted on Canvas.
Syllabus and Instructor Information
Course: GEOL 101-006 Physical Geology, Fall 2025
Instructor: Dr. Jules Goldspiel
Department: AOES (Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences)
Email: jgoldspi@gmu.edu (best contact method)
Office: Exploratory Hall 3414
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:00 − 4:00 pm; other days/times by appointment
Class Meeting Times and Location: Wednesdays and Fridays 4:30 − 5:45 pm; Music/Theater Building 1005 (in person)
Course Description (3 Credits): Natural Science Overview (non-lab); part of Mason Core; aims to engage scientific exploration, curiosity, enthusiasm for science, and the use of scientific knowledge in decision making.
Topics: rocks and minerals, earthquakes and seismology, volcanic processes, marine processes, weathering and erosion, sediment transport and deposition, paleomagnetism, plate tectonics, and surface shaping by gravity, wind, rivers, glaciers, groundwater.
GEOL 101 interactions with GEOL 103: GEOL 103 is a separate 1-credit Natural Science Laboratory course; enrollment in GEOL 101 does not automatically enroll you in GEOL 103.
Textbooks (Required/Recommended):
Primary Textbook (Recommended): Essentials of Geology, 13th Edition, 2018, F. K. Lutgens, E. J. Tarbuck and D. Tasa, Pearson. Available in print and electronic formats. See GMU Bookstore for options. Book is on reserve at Fenwick Library (Call Number QE26.3.L87 2018).
Alternate Textbook (Recommended): An Introduction to Geology, 2017, C. Johnson, M. D. Affolter, P. Inkenbrandt, and C. Mosher. Available online at no cost: https://opengeology.org/textbook/
Ancillary materials from publisher are optional.
Expected Learning Outcomes: By course end, students should be able to:
Appreciate the range of physical and chemical processes active on Earth, and understand how these processes act on geologic materials to drive geologic processes.
Understand how geologic processes work and leave marks on Earth (large and small).
Understand how the Earth's interior structure can be determined.
Understand that Earth’s continents have moved over time (plate tectonics).
Appreciate the age of the Earth and how geologic ages are determined.
Recognize that some geologic properties/processes are Earth-specific while others are shared with other planets.
Recognize that scientific inquiry is based on evidence collection and testing of theories against data.
Understand that scientific knowledge evolves with new evidence and new interpretations of old evidence, and differentiate science from personal/cultural beliefs.
Recognize the relationship between natural sciences and society and how science can address societal challenges.
Evaluate scientific information, distinguish primary vs. secondary sources, and assess credibility/validity.
Acknowledge the scope and limits of science.
Coursework & Grading Weights:
Overall weights (per the syllabus): 25% Coursework, 25% Quizzes, 25% Exam I, 25% Exam II, 25% Exam III (Final Exam).
Quizzes: Online through Canvas, released on most weeks, time-limited, and assess recent topics since the last quiz.
Exams: Not cumulative; cover material from the preceding third of the course; time-limited and scored for accuracy.
In-class extra credit: Optional in-class exercises; earned points apply to the corresponding exam; maximum 5 points per exam; points reset after each exam.
Grading Changes: The syllabus notes that changes to the grading schema, if any, will be made in a manner favorable to students (lowering the weighted percentage threshold for grades).
Quizzes and Exams Details:
Quizzes: Taken online via Canvas with time constraints. Refer to the syllabus for details.
Exams:
Exam I: Must be taken in class, in-person, and on paper (Scantron form). Use NO. 2 pencil only; erase completely; dark marks to change answers.
Exam II and Exam III (Final): Can be taken in class on paper; online option may be offered (not guaranteed). Online exams, if offered, require Honorlock.
All exams start and end at the same time regardless of format.
Paper exams require Scantron forms; a form will be provided.
Important: Use NO. 2 PENCIL ONLY; ERASE COMPLETELY; MAKE DARK MARKS TO CHANGE. See the provided sample scoring sheet for how subjective points are handled (instructor use only).
Extra Credit Opportunities:
Optional; earned through in-class questions/exercises when presented in class.
Must be in class and complete the activity to earn credit.
Credit is applied to the corresponding exam; maximum of 5 points per exam; points reset after each exam.
Grading Schema (Typical Cutoffs):
A+:
A: 92.0 \le \text{score} < 98.9\%
A-: 90.0 \le \text{score} < 91.9\%
B+: 88.0 \le \text{score} < 89.9\%
B: 82.0 \le \text{score} < 87.9\%
B-: 80.0 \le \text{score} < 81.9\%
C+: 78.0 \le \text{score} < 79.9\%
C: 67.0 \le \text{score} < 77.9\%
C-: 65.0 \le \text{score} < 66.9\%
D: 50.0 \le \text{score} < 64.9\%
F: \text{score} < 50\%
Enrollment/Policy Notes:
The grading schema is subject to change; if changes are made, they will be in the student-favorable direction (lowering the cutoff percentage).
Extra credit is limited to in-class opportunities and only affects the corresponding exam.
Tentative Course Schedule (Overview)
Week 1 (Semester Start to 08/29)
08/27: Course Information & Overview of Physical Geology (Chapter 1). Alt Chapter: none.
08/29: Matter and Minerals (Chapter 3).
Week 2 (09/03–09/05)
09/03: Magma and Igneous Rocks (Chapter 4).
09/05: Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards (Chapter 5).
Week 3 (09/10–09/12)
09/10: Weathering and Soils (Chapter 6).
09/12: Sedimentary Rocks (Chapter 7).
Week 4 (09/17–09/19)
09/17: Metamorphic Rocks (Chapter 8).
09/19: Review 1; 09/24: Exam I (4:30 − 5:45 pm).
Week 5 (09/26–10/01)
09/26: Mass Movement (Mass Wasting) (Chapter 12).
10/01: Surface Water (Chapter 13).
10/03: Groundwater (Chapter 14).
Week 6 (10/08–10/10)
10/08: Glaciers (Chapter 15).
10/10: Ice Ages (Chapter 8).
Week 7 (10/15–10/17)
10/15: Wind & Dry Lands (Chapter 16).
10/17: Ocean Waves and Shore Evolution (Chapter 17).
Week 8 (10/22–10/24)
10/22: Review 2; 10/24: Exam II (4:30 − 5:45 pm).
Week 9 (10/29–11/05)
10/29: Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics (Chapter 2).
10/31: Earthquakes and Seismic Waves (Chapter 9).
11/05: Origin and Evolution of Ocean Floors (Chapter 10).
Week 10 (11/07–11/12)
11/07: Crustal Deformation (Chapter 11).
11/12: Mountain Building & Geologic Time (Chapter 18).
Week 11 (11/14–11/19)
11/14: Evolution of Earth (Chapter 19).
11/19: Earth Resources (Chapter 16).
Week 12 (11/21–11/26)
11/21: Climate Change (Chapter 20).
11/26–11/28: Thanksgiving Recess (No Class).
Week 13 (12/03–12/05)
12/03: Planetary Geology (Chapter 12).
12/05: Review 3; Final exam (Exam III) TBD.
Notes:
Online quizzes are expected to be released on Fridays after class.
Schedules and topics are subject to change; changes will be announced.
Key Course Enrollment Dates
Sep 02: Last day to add classes.
Sep 08: 1st drop deadline (full tuition refund, no record on transcript).
Sep 16: 2nd drop deadline (50% tuition refund, no record on transcript).
Sep 30: Last day for unrestricted Self-Withdrawal (no tuition refund, W on transcript).
Oct 27: Last day for Selective Withdrawal (no tuition refund, W on transcript).
Course Policies
Electronic devices in class:
Computers, phones, tablets allowed for class-related activities if: audible alerts off; used for class content; not allowed during exams except if online exam option is offered.
No earbuds or headphones in class or during exams without prior approval from instructor.
Course materials:
For class use only; no posting on internet sites or redistribution outside of class. Violates GMU Academic Standards Code.
Recordings:
No recordings of lectures without prior approval and completion of a recording agreement form.
Attendance:
Attendance is not strictly required but is expected.
Missed exams and quizzes:
Notify instructor in advance of known conflicts; without prior notice, exams may incur a 10% late penalty.
1 week to make up.
Grade postings:
All scores posted on Canvas unless otherwise requested.
University Policies
Academic integrity:
All GMU community members must uphold the GMU Academic Standards Code.
Key violations include cheating, plagiarizing, or lying in academic work.
For this course: collaboration on quizzes is allowed (still must do your own work); collaboration on exams is not allowed.
Electronic communications:
Use GMU e-mail or Canvas for official communications.
Personal safety:
GMU is committed to a safe learning, living, and working environment.
Personal Growth and Safety Issues
Harassment:
Definition: unwelcome conduct that interferes with educational or work environment, participation in university programs, or receipt of services.
May be blatant or subtle; may involve intent to harm.
Types of harassment:
Hostile Environment Harassment: unwelcome conduct that alters conditions so they are hostile or abusive.
Quid Pro Quo Harassment: submission to or rejection of unwelcome conduct used as the basis for decisions about education or employment.
Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment:
Includes unwelcome verbal, physical, or electronic conduct based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, or sex-stereotyping that creates a hostile environment.
Examples: unwelcome sexual advances, gender-based jokes, or inappropriate visuals.
Assault and Sexual Assault:
Intentional physical contact without affirmative consent.
Affirmative Consent: informed, voluntary, and active; cannot be obtained by violence, threats, coercion, or incapacitation.
Interpersonal Violence:
Abusive behavior by a current/former romantic partner, spouse, family member, cohabitant, etc.; can include physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault, economic control, neglect.
Reporting Harassment, Assault, and Interpersonal Violence:
GMU encourages seeking assistance and support.
Confidential resources: SSAC, CAPS, SHS, Office of the University Ombudsperson.
Confidential resources and support:
Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Student Health Services (SHS)
Office of the University Ombudsperson
Student Support Services and Resources
Academic and general support resources:
Learning Services: https://learningservices.gmu.edu
Student Health Services: https://shs.gmu.edu
Counseling and Psychological Services: https://caps.gmu.edu
Student Support and Advocacy Center: https://ssac.gmu.edu
Office of the University Ombudsperson: https://ombuds.gmu.edu
Additional resources under Student Life: https://www.gmu.edu/student-life
Overview of Physical Geology
1. Context and Relevance of Physical Geology
Definition: Geology is the science that seeks to understand the surface and interior of Earth.
Physical Geology focuses on the present-day Earth: structure, composition, and active Earth processes.
Historical Geology (GEOL 102) focuses on Earth’s history, origin/evolution of continents, oceans, atmosphere, and life.
2. Scientific Method
Geology as a science uses the scientific method: iterative process with observations, questions, hypotheses, testing, analysis, and results.
Hypotheses may be refined, corrected, discarded; new theories may emerge.
Results and theories are always subject to review and critique; new data can lead to new hypotheses.
General goals: determine state of things, discover patterns, quantify general principles, use principles to make predictions.
3. Earth Properties
Earth is old, but younger than the Universe:
Universe: (13.7 billion years)
Solar System: formed about ago (4.6 billion years) via the Solar Nebula Theory
Earth has differentiated interior layers with distinct compositions and physical properties.
Earth surface has two primary regions: continents (high areas, felsic rocks) and ocean floors (low areas, mafic rocks).
Both continents and ocean floors have internal regional variations.
4. Minerals, Rocks and the Rock Cycle
Minerals: natural inorganic solids with specific compositions and structures.
Rocks: natural solid materials classified by formation: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic.
Rock Cycle: summarizes relationships among rock types and the processes by which they form.
5. Earth as a System
Earth is best understood as a system with interacting components or spheres:
Geosphere (solid Earth)
Hydrosphere (water)
Atmosphere (gas layer above surface)
Biosphere (life)
Much of the semester will focus on the Geosphere and its interactions with other Earth components.
References for Further Reading
Lutgens, F. K., et al., 2018. Essentials of Geology, 13th Edition. [Chapter 1]
Johnson, C., et al., 2017. An Introduction to Geology (online). [Chapter 1]
Additional Notes and Visual Aids
Course materials include occasional figures and photographs (e.g., Mt. St. Helens eruption, ocean-floor/bathymetry maps).
Visuals referenced in the slides come from USGS, NOAA, NASA, and the Lutgens et al. textbook figures.
The schedule and content may be modified; whenever changes occur, they will be announced in Canvas and/or class announcements.
Quick Reference: Key Dates in the Syllabus
Last day to add:
1st drop deadline:
2nd drop deadline:
Unrestricted withdrawal deadline:
Selective withdrawal deadline: