Welcome to Indiana Geology, G135 at IUPUI. This page contains general information for those interested in enrolling in the course. This information is updated for the 2007-2008 school year.
Changes for 2008
The course materials will change in 2008. The video components will be delivered only by video streaming over the internet. Students will purchase a passcode from the publisher to access the video. DVDs will no longer be required and students will need high speed internet access to complete the course.
Videos will be streamed in short segments (10 minutes); this will allow students to watch the required videos on their own schedule. However, students will need an internet connection as videos will not be available for downloading.
Class Management
G135 is a web video course, meaning you will have to watch videos and use Oncourse to view online lecture material and to complete assessments within the course.
- There are no campus visits required.
- You will need a computer with high speed internet access to take this course.
- The course is run on a schedule with some flexibility for to work ahead. The course will contain 22 segments--8 less than a regular course.
- Assessments are given on specific weekday dates. Tests and quizzes are taken through Oncourse. The amount of time to complete each assignment depends on the instructor, but can range from 24 hours to 7 days. In most cases, students will have 24 hour period (minimum) to take each quiz or test, and these can only be taken on specific dates.
- Optional field trips may be given for extra credit opportunity--including trips within Marion County and trips outside the Indianapolis area. The availability of these options will vary by instructor.
- Several written homework assignments are required. These will require library research and synthesis of researched materials. Written assignments will be assessed on originality, content and understanding of course concepts.
- In Fall 2007, this class contained 4 quizzes, 4 homeworks, and 1 final. However, the types of assessments given are subject to change and will depend on the instructor.
- An online lab, G136, is available for 1.0 credit during the Spring and Fall (not Summer) semesters. You can enroll in the lab separately.
Course Materials (2008)
This course is delivered as a set of twenty two online modules using Oncourse. Each module contains textbook readings, online notes, and streaming video lectures. You will need to purchase two items for this course: the "Student Access Kit" streaming video passcode set ($75-$100), the textbook ($10-$18). These will be available from IUPUI and Indy College Bookstores.
Class Content
This course covers a variety of topics that will help you understand basic concepts of geology through study of Indiana's landscape. Topics include:
- What is the geologic history of Indiana
- Why does the landscape look different in different places of Indiana
- Tours of underground mines, coal mines, an aerial tour of southern Indiana, and a tour of several state parks
- Geologic history of specific places are examined in southern, western, and northern Indiana
You will learn a lot about geology throughout this course, and a lot more about the state of Indiana. Below is a snapshot of 10 items you'll learn by the end of the semester:
- Why there is a hill at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis
- Why the highest point in the state is in a farmer's field
- How underground mining goes on in Indianapolis and where else mining is going on underground
- How recently major earthquakes have struck southwestern Indiana
- Whether Lake Michigan is growing or shrinking in size over geologic time
- Where you have the best chance of drilling for oil and striking it rich
- How the geology of the state provides us low prices on electricity
- Whether a river can really just disappear below the ground
- Why we find marine fossils and ocean reefs throughout the state
- Why we find unusual displays of rocks and hills at Brown County, Shades, and Turkey Run State Park
While most of you may live in Indianapolis, finding the answers to the 10 questions above will take us to areas around Wabash, Jeffersonville, Richmond, Michigan City, New Albany, Waveland, Paoli, Nashville, Shoals, Carmel, and Princeton. You will meet many experts in Indiana Geology and travel (by video) to localities around the state.