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GEOL 303 & GGS 308 - FIELD MAPPING TECHNIQUES
FALL 2012

http://mason.gmu.edu/~jnord/geol303/

PREREQUISITE 30 credits including MATH 105 or equivalent and GEOG 102 or GEOL 101
CLASS MEETS Wednesday 3:00 - 4:15 pm in David King 2084
Friday 1:30 - 5:30 pm, in David King 2084
INSTRUCTOR

Lisa LaCivita, 3064 David King Hall
Email Address - llacivit@gmu.edu
Telephone - 540 303 2184

Dr. Julia Ann Nord, 3055 David King Hall
Email Address - jnord@gmu.edu

OFFICE HOURS Friday 11:00 - 12:00 or by appointment.
TEXTS As assigned
My Door Code
My Brunton Number
My GPS Number
My Computer Number

COURSE SCHEDULE

DATE TOPIC READINGS PROJECTS & DUE DATES
WEEK 1

AUGUST 29.
Wednesday

Overview of the Course.

Safety & equipment.
Using a field notebook
Latitude and Longitude
UTM
Projections
For map projections http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/projections.html

For longitude and latitude http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/mapping/a_latlong.html

For UTM http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/fs07701.html

Project 1 Topographic maps of GMU. Done in classroom
AUGUST 31
Friday
Topographic Maps.
Topo map of Fairfax.
Scale. Symbols.
North / Magnetic North
Contours.
For topographical profile http://www.iupui.edu/~geogdept/g108/lab_3.htm

Reading topographic maps. ALSO Map symbols http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/reading.html
WEEK 2

SEPTEMBER 5.
Wednesday

GPS
ellipsoid
Precision & accuracy
Notes and Forms
http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~wd/courses/373F/notes/lec04not.html

Reflective journals (first 2 pages only)
http://www.audiencedialogue.net/journal.html

http://maps.unomaha.edu/Maher/deathvalley/fieldnotetaking.html
Project 2. Trimble GPS
SEPTEMBER 7
Friday
GMU Safety Office

Trimble GPS on campus.
Working with GPS
WEEK 3

SEPTEMBER 12
Wednesday

Introduction to Pathfinder office and ARC GIS

Nesting
Project 3. Map of GMU Pond in Pathfinder office.
SEPTEMBER 14
Friday
Mapping GMU pond
Outside at GMU
WEEK 4

SEPTEMBER 19
Wednesday

GMU Watershed (Storm Drains) talk by Lisa LaCivita
outside at GMU
Project 4. Using GPS and GIS to make a map of GMU Watersheds!
Also "surf your watershed" worksheet

MATH 1 Trig Review questions #1. Given sept 21st

ALL due September 28th

Julia will be out of town September 28

SEPTEMBER 21
Friday
Map of GMU Watersheds
Outside at GMU


END OF GPS-GIS SECTION
WEEK 5

SEPTEMBER 26
Wednesday

Introduction to the Brunton Compass
North and Magnetic north.
Precision & accuracy
Measurement review
Pocket Transit Manual www.kooters.com/pdf/BruntonTransit-inst.pdf Project 5 Pace and Compass

Math 2 Measurement. Given september 28th.

BOTH due oct 5th at start of class.

SEPTEMBER 28
Friday
Pace and Compass
errors and calculations
At GMU - The Quad
WEEK 6

OCTOBER 3
Wednesday

Height and width and the Brunton Compass "clocks and sharks" Project 6 Pace and Compass. Slopes. Triangulation
FRIDAY -Meet at the GMU Field House
OCTOBER 5
Friday
Pace and Compass
Pace and slopes

Meet at the GMU Field House
WEEK 7

OCTOBER 10
Wednesday


Plotting on a Topographic Map "where is the Johnson Center"

Preparation for Manassas Battlefield project
Project 7 Manasas Battlefield

due October 19th
OCTOBER 12
Friday
Manasas Battlefield

END OF PACE & COMPASS
WEEK 8

OCTOBER 17
Wednesday

Introduction to the transit
Recording Transit data.
Information needed on map projects

MATH 3. HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY
Great Trigonometric Survey MATH 3. HOMEWORK FOR FRIDAY Differential Leveling

Project 8 Transit map around GMU pond.
OCTOBER 19
Friday
Transit map
WEEK 9

OCTOBER 24
Wednesday

Topographic maps & contouring Trandit and Plane table contouring ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/CDrom/FAO_Training/FAO_Training/General/x6707e/x6707e09.htm Project 9 Transit contour map. GMU pond. Due November 4th

Math 4 Angles. Given october 26th. Due wednesday November 2nd

OCTOBER 26
Friday
Tape, compass and leveling
GMU campus
WEEK 10

OCTOBER 31
Wednesday

Introduction to the Alidade Project 10 Alidade Map with contours of GMU pond.

Due Wednesday November 16th - WITH comparison essay/map of Projects 9 and 10.

NOVEMBER 2
Friday
Alidade Map
GMU campus
WEEK11

NOVEMBER 7
Wednesday

GIS. Joy Suh, GMU libraries. Geospatial data.
NOVEMBER 9
Friday
Geocaching
WEEK 12

NOVEMBER 14
Wednesday

How to make a detailed map. No project - visiting main project site on friday
NOVEMBER 16
Friday
Main mapping project
Visit to Environmental studies on the Piedmont

Debrief Geocaching
NOVEMBER 17-18
saturday / sunday
GEM MINERAL AND FOSSIL SHOW
WEEK 13
NO CLASSES

NOVEMBER 21 - 25

THANKSGIVING BREAK
WEEK 14

NOVEMBER 28
Wednesday

Main Mapping Project
Planning in groups

Need to meet in class today to plan and collect and check equipment.

Main Mapping Project (Project 11)

Stay overnight at Environmental Studies on the Piedmont
NOVEMBER 30
Friday
Main Mapping Project
DECEMBER 1
Saturday
Main Mapping Project
WEEK 15

DECEMBER 5
Wednesday

Main Mapping Project
Planning in groups

you do not need to meet in class today

Presentations
DECEMBER 7
Friday
Presentations: main mapping project

GRADING

Project 1 10 points
Project 2 10 points
Project 3 10 points
Project 4 10 points
Project 5 10 points
Project 6 10 points
Project 7 10 points
Project 8 10 points
Project 9 10 points
Project 10 10 points
Project 11 15 points
Project 11 Presentation 5 points
Math 1 5 points
Math 2 5 points
Math 3 5 points
Math 4 5 points
MakeUp Geocaching 5 points
Makeup Oreienteering 5 points
Makeup Smithsonian 5 points
Completion of course survey 5 points
Total possible 140 points

GRADING

A+ GPA 4.00 97% and above
A GPA 4.00 90% -96%
A- GPA 3.67 88% - 89%
B+ GPA 3.33 86% - 87%
B GPA 3.00 80% - 85%
B- GPA 2.67 78% - 79%
C+ GPA 2.33 76% - 77%
C GPA 2.00 70% - 75%
C- GPA 1.67 68% - 69%
D GPA 1.00 60% - 67%
F GPA 0.00 below 59%

 

IMPORTANT - ALL STUDENTS NEED TO READ THIS

  • The objective of this course is to enable you to make field measurements efficiently, assess the precision and accuracy of these measurements, and convert these data into a map.

  • Projects are due as designated. If submitted late, your grade will be reduced by one point for each day after the due time.

  • Projects that receive a low grade may be repeated, and re-submitted . If this is done, they will be re-graded, however, the maximum possible score for repeated labs will be half the difference between the original grade and the maximum possible grade. Original graded work must be re-submitted with the repeated work.

  • For each exercise, please hand-in the following:

    • A readable xerox copy of your field notes (do NOT prepare a separate copy of your data)
    • Your field map
    • A final, drafted copy of the project - if requested
    • An analysis of the precision and accuracy of your results, and the sources of error inherent in this type of mapping


  • Projects will be graded on the basis of completeness, accuracy, error analysis, and final presentation.


  • Necessary Field Equipment
    • Field Notebook (waterproof)
    • Pencils, hardness of at least 2
    • Waterproof, thin ink pen
    • Protractor
    • Graph paper (10/inch * 10/ inch)
    • Clipboard with Cover
    Engineers Rule (inches) needs to be graduated in 10th, 20ths, 30ths, 40ths, 50ths, and 60ths.
    • Calculator (with Trig Functions)
    • small cheap compass
    • Field Boots or Sturdy Shoes
    • Sunscreen
    • Water bottle
    • Hat
    • Bug repellent
    • Rain Gear - a Poncho is best
    • Snacks


  • You are personally responsible for any equipment checked out in your name. Please treat the equipment as if it were your own. Final grades will not be assigned to anyone who has not returned all field equipment.

  • When working in the field, please try to adhere to the following:

    1. COME PREPARED.
Have the proper equipment , and be sure it is in proper working order. Know beforehand what you are supposed to accomplish, and be familiar with the techniques and equipment involved.

    2. WORK SAFELY.
Never work alone, especially in rugged terrain. Always tell someone where you will be, just in case you don't return. Wear proper field clothes. Always keep your wits about you. Remember to drink plenty of fluids and eat!

    3. WORK EFFICIENTLY AND BUDGET YOUR TIME.
Develop a way to do your fieldwork in a comfortable, but efficient manner. Keep in mind there is a limited amount of time in which to complete the project. Leave enough time after fieldwork to prepare the report.

    4. PLOT YOUR RESULTS IN THE FIELD.
Get in the habit of collecting data, calculating, compiling, and plotting results while at the field site. This is the most important way to check your work for accuracy. This may save you from making unnecessary trips back to the field.

  • General Policies

  • Attendance: You are expected to attend every class session and to be there on time. If you must miss a class please let the instructor know ahead of time. Most projects are team-based and your colleagues will miss you!

  • Attendance: If you must miss a class for a documented reason, we have 3 make-up assignments that you can chose from.

  • Academic Integrity: GMU is an Honor Code university; please see the University Catalog for a full description of the code and the honor committee process. The principle of academic integrity is taken very seriously and violations are treated gravely. What does academic integrity mean in this course? Essentially this: when you are responsible for a task, you will perform that task. When in doubt (of any kind) please ask for guidance and clarification. For information on avoiding Plagiarism please visit: http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/?p=499#more-499

  • GMU Email Accounts Students must use their Mason email accounts—either the existing “MEMO” system or a new “MASONLIVE” account to receive important University information, including messages related to this class. You can set up this email to forward to a different email address.See http://masonlive.gmu.edu for more information.

  • Office Of Disability Services If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please contact the instructor and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS. http://ods.gmu.edu

  • University Policies The University Catalog, http://catalog.gmu.edu, is the central resource for university policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university academic affairs. Other policies are available at http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/. All members of the university community are responsible for knowing and following established policies

  • Other Useful Campus Resources: Writing Center: A114 Robinson Hall; (703) 993-1200; http://writingcenter.gmu.edu
    University Libraries “Ask a Librarian” http://library.gmu.edu/mudge/IM/IMRef.html
    Counseling And Psychological Services (Caps): (703) 993-2380; http://caps.gmu.edu

  • Cell phones: As a courtesy to your classmates, professor and guest speakers, please turn your cell phone off during class. If you are experiencing a medical or family situation where you need to receive an incoming call, please let us know, mute the ring on your phone, and feel free to exit the class to receive your call. You will be able to use your phone for class related issues when in the field off campus.

  • Inclement Weather: We will hold class rain or shine, and at any temperature so long as Mason is officially in session.

  • Inclement Weather and Class Cancelation: GMU posts closings on its website (www.gmu.edu.) You can receive notification from Mason Alerts you via email or text to a cell phone; please let us know if you need more information. However, please use your common sense about weather conditions in your area. If you do not feel safe traveling to class please do not attempt the journey.