The task for the Spring Semester is to complete a geological
report on the map area. The report will include a final edition
of the geological map, cross sections and a lithological column
for the main illustrative material to accompany the report.
In addition, there will be other figures, photos and diagrams
that you will want to add to flesh out presentation of data
and interpretations.
The outline of the report will follow a rather established
set of chapters so that assignments can be made to cover the
material. At some point near the end of the semester you may
want to be more creative in your presentation of the material,
but for purposes of covering the material systematically we
will stick to the following outline.
Abstract (completed last)
Introduction
Geological setting
Rock units
Structure (descriptive)
Structure (interpretative)
Geological History
Regional Implications
Conclusions
Bibliography
Some of these chapters are rather straightforward and not too
difficult to write. Others, such as the two structure chapters,
geological history and regional implications are more difficult
and will take more time and discussion in class.
Assignments for each chapter will be made each week to be turned
in the following week. We will go over the material and make
comments and do some editing and hand them back at the next
class period. When you get them back we want a more polished
product the next class period, and you will be starting a draft
of a new chapter. This may seem rushed, but you will notice
by the schedule below, the report will be finished at the end
of the semester if you stay on schedule. For some chapters there
will be figures you will want to accompany the written material.
We will try to keep the chapters short and concise, but some
will require more length than others. You can see from the outline
to cover the material adequately will require something on the
order of a 30-page report, plus figures. By setting this schedule
we will thereby prevent people from putting off the writing
until the last part of the semester. If that were to happen,
you will not have time to get all the feedback necessary to
construct a good geological report. There is a lot of work to
do and we will try to keep you on schedule.
IMPORTANT: You will probably find that completing two
draft-correction cycles is essential for ensuring that your
writing meets the expected standard for the course. We consider
the teaching of good scientific writing style to be one of the
principal aims of this course and expect that the writing of
the final report to be at a publishable standard. In order to
be able to provide for the requisite draft-correction cycles,
DRAFTS MUST BE HANDED IN ON TIME.
THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TO COMPLETE THE MAP - THE
ASSIGNMENT IS FOR THE FIRST CLASS PERIOD. THIS MAY TAKE TWO
PERIODS TO GET DONE. IT IS ESSENTIAL THE MAP GET DONE RIGHT
AWAY BECAUSE WE CAN NOT MAKE CROSS SECTIONS OR DISCUSSION OF
THE MAP AREA UNTIL IT IS COMPLETTED. AS WE PROCEED WE MAY CHANGE
SOME INTERPRETATIONS THAT WILL REQUIRE SOME CHANGES ON THE MAP,
BUT THESE SHOULD BE MINOR AND EASY TO DO.
We'll meet on Fridays from 3:30 - 5:00 pm..