Syllabus for Fall 2006

 

Overview:

The Age of Dinosaurs is an introduction to Natural History for non-science majors.  Simply stated, in this course we ask, "What Happened to the Dinosaurs?"  The course presents current scientific theories and controversies surrounding the evolution and extinction of dinosaurs.  In order to appreciate the issues from a scientific perspective, the course presents an introduction to Earth history, plate tectonics, geomorphology, sedimentology, fossilization, and forensics.  It also presents an introduction to the theory of evolution, an overview of the diversity of Life on Earth, along with a discussion on how modern scientists study the relationships among organisms and interpret the evolutionary history of Life.  The geological and evolutionary processes that have affected the history of dinosaurs are the focus throughout the course.  In the end, you will learn how Earth history and Life history are intricately intertwined, and how scientists are using their knowledge of the past to predict what's ahead for us all.

 

Instructor:  Dr. Timothy Rowe

                  Office: Geology 6.106

                  Office Hours:

                           Tuesday, 1:30-2:30

                           Thursday, 1:30-2:30

                  e-mail: rowe@mail.utexas.edu

 

Course Web Site Homepage: http://www.geo.utexas.edu/302d/

 

Lectures: GEO 2.324, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11:00am

 

Required Study Materials: 

1) Text: The Mistaken Extinction, by Lowell Dingus and Timothy Rowe, 1998, W. H. Freeman and Co., New York.

 

2) Multimedia: The Age of Dinosaurs CD-ROM, by Timothy Rowe, Kyoko Kishi, John W. Merck, Jr., and Matthew Colbert, 1998, W. H. Freeman and Co., New York. The course website site will be your source for information on the class schedule for all lectures, assignments, exams, and quizzes.

 

 

Policy on Grades:

 

1) Final Grades: Your final letter grade will be based on your total score from four exams.  Grades are assigned using a standard curve that reflects the accomplishment of the class as a whole.  The curve mean represents a 'C'.

 

2) Exams:3 midterms and 1 final exam will be given.  All three midterm exams and the final exam must be taken.  Your best 2 midterm scores plus the final exam score will be counted as 100% of your final grade - i.e., you may drop your lowest midterm score.  The Exam Schedule is on the web.  Exams are given only once.  There are no make-up exams and no specially scheduled exams.  Exceptions may be made for handicapped students, but they must request any special arrangements early in the semester.  All exams are cumulative in their coverage.  They will cover material from lectures, reading assignments, labs, software, web resources, and videos.  You will be asked questions about general concepts as well as specific points of information.  You will be held responsible for correct spelling and for writing with complete sentences that use proper grammar.

 

3)  Statue of Limitations:  If you wish to appeal a grade received on an exam, your appeal must be made within 7 days from the time it is handed back.  No appeals will be considered after that deadline.

 

4) Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  Work submitted for a grade under your name must be exclusively your own.  Evidence of dishonesty will result in an 'F' for the course and a report to the Dean of Students; if you were failing the course anyway, a recommendation of disciplinary probation will also be forwarded to the Dean of Students.