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The following guidelines are in force for this course. Please read these guidelines carefully and completely. Your instructor will expect that you understand all material discussed here. You may click the links below to jump to any section of this page.

Required Materials

Textbook cover

5th edition cover.

The textbook is an integral part of this course. You should have your text by the first week of class.

Introduction to Environmental Geology, 5th edition, by Edward Keller. 

You can purchase either the bound or unbound version of the textbooks.  The unbound version which is hole-punched for a three-ring binder is significantly less expensive, up to 40% less than the bound version.  Just be certain that you are purchasing the 5th edition of the textbook.  The textbook is also available on 2-hour loan from the Library Reserves Desk.

In addition to the textbook, you will be learning from online lectures, called modules. These modules will give you your reading assignments, contain additional material to aid in your learning of text concepts, and will contain instructions for assessments. You may find these modules under "Module Index" in the left menu bar of OncourseCL. Modules will become active as the semester progresses and most will be available at least a week before their listed date in the course calendar .

Communicating with your Instructor and Classmates

The online environment poses many challenges.  The most notable is the difficulty in creating a discourse community, a community in which we all feel comfortable with sharing our ideas, comments, and learning challenges and triumphs.  It is our responsibility to each other to create a positive learning environment.  To help us to create the open, positive learning environment we all need to be successful, here are some things that we can all keep in mind:

  • Netiquette:  Online correspondence can easily be misread and misinterpreted due to the absence of facial expressions, body language, and voice cues. Netiquette is "the rules of conduct as established in a networked society." Netiquette provides a framework for emails, chats and forum in an online environment.

    Netiquette says that you should treat your instructor and fellow students in a professional and respectful manner, similar to how you would treat them in the classroom or face-to-face setting. Following the rules of Netiquette, you can expect your instructor to address all correspondence in a polite and professional manner. Your instructor will expect the same respect and may send a warning, choose not to reply to, or take action against rude, offensive, or accusatory messages. You may report any violations of netiquette to your instructor.

    If you have any questions regarding netiquette, please review this online guide to Netiquette to prepare yourself for online communications.
  • Chat Room:  Use the Chat Room to communicate with the entire class.  Please avoid posting overly negative statements to the Chat Room.  Oftentimes, we feel the need to vent; however, the Chat Room is a place where you should seek open, positive discourse with your classmates about the course structure and material. It is always intimidating to “speak” in front of a group of unknown people; therefore, keeping statements in the Chat Room open-ended and positive will help to ease all of our nervousness and help to encourage everyone to participate in this learning tool.  Your instructor may delete your posts and document any hostile messages posted to the Chat Room as Personal Misconduct.  Please see the Student Code of Conduct, Part II: Student Responsibilities, Section H:  Personal Misconduct (http://www.iupui.edu/code/#page).
  • Oncourse Messages:  Messages should be used when you want to communicate with specific persons, for example, your instructor.  While we do have the option, avoid using the send to “All Participants” option in the Messages.  For communications to everyone, use the Chat room or General Class Forums.

    When you write a Message, your message should be composed in complete sentences and complete words (no chat text) that provide a clear context to your question and any information your instructor needs to answer your question or concern. The subject line should contain keywords as to the subject of your email.  Try to reply to threads so that your instructor can keep track of previous communications, but change the “Subject line” when the topic changes.  Do not post questions that would require a personal answer to the Chat Room.  Any questions about grades should be sent to your instructor via an Oncourse Message.

Need Help?

Your instructor is the main contact for help and learning more about the course material. You may find your instructor’s contact information on the “Help/Contact” page of this syllabus. Other resources for help in this course, or in your academic career at IUPUI include:

  • Adaptive Education Services
  • Student Advocate
  • University Information Technology Support
  • Help Yourself

Your Instructor

You can link to your instructor's contact information by clicking the "Help/Contact" link on the left-hand side of every page. Please contact the instructor if you are having trouble or want to learn more about a particular topic. The instructor can meet with you or call you in addition to emailing you through Oncourse. The earlier you ask for help or ask questions, the better prepared you will be.

Other Help: Testing Accommodations

Students needing testing or learning accommodations because of disability (physical, learning, etc.) will need to register with Adaptive Educational Services and complete the appropriate forms issued by AES before accommodations will be given. AES can also assist in determining the presence of a disability (or referring you to someone else). You may find more information at the AES website - http://www.iupui.edu/~divrsity/aes/about/.

Other Help: Student Advocate/Dean of Students

From http://life.iupui.edu/advocate/ : “The Student Advocate provides objective, impartial and confidential assistance to students, faculty and parents in situations involving students. Anyone who has a student–related question, complaint, conflict or general concern may contact the Student Advocate Office as an initial, neutral, and confidential first step toward resolution.”

The advocate will answer your questions, direct you to the appropriate departments and people, familiarize you with university policies and procedures, and give you guidance as you look at ways to solve problems and make choices.

The Student Advocate Office is located the Campus Center, Suite 350 and can be contacted by phone at 278-7594 or email at stuadvoc@iupui.edu. For more information, see the Student Advocate website.

Other Help: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

During the semester, if you find that life stressors are interfering with your academic or personal success, consider contacting Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). All IUPUI students are eligible for counseling services at minimal fees. CAPS also performs evaluations for learning disorders and ADHD; fees are charged for testing. CAPS is located in UN418 and can be contacted by phone (317-274-2548). For more information, see the CAPS web-site at: http://life.iupui.edu/caps/

Other Help: University Information Technology Support (UITS)

The UITS Help Line, 317-274-HELP, is an excellent resource for technology problems, Oncourse issues and general computer help. UITS also offers other means of support including walk-up services, and online chat support: http://uits.iu.edu/page/amgy.

Your instructor will have limited resources to help troubleshoot technology problems, please have the help line number ready in case of difficulties. The Help/Contact link on the left menu bar on every page in the course material contains the information on what to do and who to contact if you have a problem.

Help Yourself: Your Responsibility

The goal of a 100-level college course is not only to build your learning skills, but to build responsibility. Meeting deadlines on time, completing assessments, and informing your instructor immediately about problems demonstrates your sense of personal responsibility and ownership of your education.

If you have an issue that prevents you from completing an assessment —contact your instructor immediately. Contacting your instructor within hours of a deadline, or well after the fact, about your failure to complete assigned work is not acceptable. You will be expected to be proactive in your learning and work constructively with your instructor to remedy problems if they arise.

Your grade is issued based on the quality of the work you submit on time. All assessment guidelines will contain clear instructions on what is expected of you. Criteria for calculating course grades are provided to you in this syllabus – this information is provided so that you may calculate your grade at any time.

Many of you will have challenges this semester, and it is your responsibility to face them or work around them. The best students, and best employees, work with their professor or boss to meet these challenges as they happen.

Technology Requirements

The ability to use the technology enabled in this course is your responsibility. Technology problems, whether hardware-related, software-related, or user-related (you) are your responsibility. Your instructor will be of limited help in troubleshooting technology problems not directly related to course content. If you use the internet and email on a regular basis, without problems, and have a basic understanding of how to use OncourseCL—you should not have a problem. If you do have a problem, contact UITS and your instructor immediately.

You must meet the following technology guidelines:

  • Possess an Indiana U. Authentication ID for logging into OncourseCL. Any student enrolled in the IU system can register for an ID—which is the same ID used to log into campus computers and campus email.
  • Own, or have regular access (every day) to a reliable and modern computer (capable of running all software required for this course) with working speakers.
  • You must have reliable Internet access (56K modem or greater). You will encounter problems that may prevent successful course completion at slower connection speeds. You are encouraged to use a high speed (cable, DSL, satellite, wireless) internet connection.
  • You should use either Internet Explorer (IE7 or newer) or Mozilla Firefox (version 2.5 newer) as your internet browser. This course will not work correctly using Netscape, AOL, Safari, Chrome or other browsers.
  • At the beginning of the semester, identify a back up computer you can use somewhere else, in the event your computer fails. This back up computer should be readily accessible on assessment due dates.
  • You should have common internet plug-in software installed on your computer, including Adobe Flash, Java Runtime, RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, and Adobe Reader. If you use your computer for the internet regularly, it probably already has this software installed.

Assessment Guidelines

Just like in a classroom lecture course, you will have to submit assessments on a specific date. See the "Tests and Homework" link on the left for more specific information on these types of assessments. The specific number and types of assessments for your section will be listed in the course calendar.

Late or Missed Assessments

The course calendar lists all due dates for the entire semester. Make-ups on assessments will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will only be considered with significant advance notice (at least 24 hours prior to the due date) and a documented reason for missing the assessment. If a make-up is granted, you will be asked to identify an alternate date by which you can complete the assessment. If you fail to complete the make-up by the agreed upon date, you will receive a zero. The instructor has the right to refuse requests for make-up work. Requests for make-ups without documentable reason or significant advance notice (24 hours prior to due date) will not be granted and you will receive a zero on the assessment.

Incompletes/Dropping the Course

The last day to drop this course is Monday January 16 (with 100% refund).

The last day to withdraw from this course without an instructor signature (advisor signature only) is Friday March 2 by 5:00 pm

The last day to withdraw (W or F) from this course with an instructor signature is Monday April 2 by 5:00 pm. You MUST be passing the course at this point to receive a "W". If you are not passing, you will receive an “F”.

University College freshmen (25 hours or below) may not drop more than one course per semester.  This policy will be enforced through advisor sign-off on drop requests.  The policy does not include course adjustments made during the first week of class.

Once you have registered, you are formally enrolled in the course. If you decide to drop the course, you must do so officially by filling out a drop form or using e-drop procedures. If you simply stop submitting assessments, you will receive an “F” for the course.

After April 2, you will only be able to receive a withdrawal or incomplete (with the opportunity to make up missed assignments) in extenuating and critical circumstances. Requests for incompletes and withdrawals after April 2 will require a meeting with your instructor and proper documentation and evidence for the request. You should also contact the undergraduate dean in your school, or the dean of students, and alert them about your situation as a serious problem would affect your learning in all of your courses. These will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Academic Dishonesty

Please read Sections 1 through 6 of Part G: Academic Responsibilities & Misconduct of the IUPUI Student Code of Conduct carefully. To read these sections, click on the link in the previouse sentence and scroll down and click on "Part II: Student Responsibilities" in the left menu bar. Your instructor will assume that you have read and agree with all terms of the code and will grade your submitted assessments and evaluate your communications accordingly. Your grade may be penalized for any infraction of this code.

This statement clearly defines academic dishonesty in the form of cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules and facilitating academic dishonesty for the IUPUI Community. Any form of academic misconduct will result in a failing grade for that assignment or a failing grade for the course. Whenever you attach your name to an exam or assignment in this class, it will be assumed by the professor that you are familiar with the IU definition of academic misconduct. It will also be assumed that you have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on the exam or assignment.

Students will be subject to the policies outlined in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Consequences of academic dishonesty--depending on the situation and at the instructor's discretion--may include A) a warning from the instructor, B) a penalty that ranges from redoing the assignment to receiving a failure on the assignment, or C) bringing a formal charge of academic dishonesty with the School of Science, with a penalty up to failing the course.

In addition to all infractions listed in Part G of the student code of conduct, the following items are grounds for academic dishonesty in this course:

  • Having the aid of another person, physically or electronically, while completing any assessment or any other aspect of the course unless specifically authorized by the instructor in assessment instructions.
  • Copying or plagiarizing (material copied from another source and represented as your own) text from another student, document, website, or other source without proper citation (quotation marks and full MLA citation)
  • Resubmitting any assignment, paper, essay response or other document in part or in full that has been submitted by you or another student to a course at IUPUI in past or present semesters. (see “Cheating” in the Student Code of Conduct, Section G1).
  • Having another person take an assessment for you while using your Oncourse Login or attempting or completing any method that circumnavigates Oncourse security features, testing time frames, or test submission techniques.
  • Electronically storing or electronically/verbally sharing any assessment questions with classmates of this or future semester offerings of this or any other course.

Administrative Withdrawal A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in class and conscientiously complete writing and reading assignments. Keep in touch with me if you are unable to attend class or complete an assignment on time. If you do not complete the first 3 assessments of the semester without contacting me, you will be administratively withdrawn from this section. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.