CIVL353 Earth Science

Year and Semester

Credit Hours
Prerequisites

: 2015-16 Fall
: (4,1) 4
: Min. AT = 4

Course Assistants

: Mohammad R. Golhashem
Hamed Rajabzadeh

Instructor
Office No.
Office hours

: Abiola A. Abiodun
: CE 123
: 08:30 to 10:30
Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri

Course Web Page: http://civil.emu.edu.tr/courses/CIVL353

Catalog Description:
Introduction: Overview of earth science, composition of the earth and atomic structure. Minerals:
Building blocks of rocks. Some physical properties of minerals. The dynamic earth, the theory of plate
tectonics and plate boundaries, drifting continents. Earthquakes, mountain building. Geologic time scale,
age dating of rocks, early earth. Earthquakes, earthquake classification and prediction. Seismic waves,
liquefaction. Surface processes on earth weathering, erosion, mass movements, wind, and glaciers,
surface water, groundwater. The rock cycle and rock deformation. Rocks: Igneous, sedimentary and
metamorphic rocks. Soil formation and clay mineralogy. Phase relationships and classification of soils.
Prerequisites by Topic: Textbook:
1. E.J. Tarbuck and F.K. Lutgens, Earth Science, Tenth edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.
2. R. F. Craig, Soil Mechanics, 7th edition, Chapman & Hall, 2004.
3. CIVL353 Earth Science Lecture Notes, by Zalihe Nalbantolu, 1st Edition, 2010.
References:
1. R. F. Legget and A.W. Hatheway, Geology and Engineering, Third Edition, McGraw Hill., 1998.
2. C.W. Montgomery, Environmental Geology, Sixth Edition, 2003.
Course Objectives:

Understand the importance of geology in civil engineering.

Be able to distinguish between the different types of rocks and minerals.
Be able to describe the various surface geological processes and products.
Become familiar with the different types of geological structure.
Understand the relationship between the physical and engineering properties of rocks.
Understand how geological processes influence engineering performance.
Understand basic concepts in engineering seismology.

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:
develop an appreciation of geologic processes as they influence civil engineering works,
acquire knowledge of the most important rocks and minerals and be able to identify them,

receive training in critical thinking and problem solving through discussions and analyses of
various engineering geologic issues.

recognize geologic hazards and implications for safety and stability for structures.

perform index-property tests on a soil specimen and use the results to classify the soil
in the USCS systems,

use
word processors in writing and finishing lab report,

gain the ability to work in a group.

Weekly Teaching Plan:

Week 1

Earth in space and time (4 classes)

Introduction: Overview of earth science, composition of the earth and atomic structure.
History of the earth. Layers of the earth.

Week 2

Minerals (4 classes)
Minerals: Building blocks of rocks. Some physical properties of minerals. Types of
minerals: silicates and non-silicates minerals. Ore minerals.

Week 3

Plate tectonics (4 classes)

The dynamic earth, theory of plate tectonics. Convection current and drifting continents.
Plate boundaries. Types of plate boundaries, geologic time and geologic dating.

Week 4

Weathering and depositions (4 classes)

Surface processes on earth weathering, erosion, mass movements, wind, and glaciers,
surface water, groundwater. Types of depositions.

Week 5-6

Rock deformation and types of rocks (8 classes)

The rock cycle and rock deformation. Fold and faults. Types of rocks: Igneous,
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

Week 7-8

Earthquakes (8 classes)
Earthquakes, earthquake classification and prediction. Types of seismic waves.
Earthquake magnitude and intensity. Earthquake related hazards: ground motion,
ground failure, liquefaction, tsunamis and coastal effect.

Week 9

Midterm Examination

Week 10

Natural hazards (4 classes)

Natural hazards: geological hazards, hydrological hazards, climatic and atmospheric
hazards and wildfire hazard.

Week 11

Mitigation of some natural hazards (4 classes)

Liquefaction, sinkholes, slope failures: landslides and mudflows. Reducing liquefaction
Hazard s. Mitigation of sinkholes and slope failures.

Week 12-13

Index and classification properties of soils (8 classes)

Introduction to geotechnical engineering. Index and classification properties of soils.
Basic definitions and phase relations. Solution of phase problems.

Week 14

Soil classification (4 classes)

Grain size and grain size distribution. Atterberg limits and consistency indices. The
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).

Course Professional Component:

Science Topics: 4 credits
Computer Usage:
Students are encouraged to use the internet to search for topics related to geology, environment and
natural hazards and prepare a power point presentation to the class. MS Excel software is used in the lab
and for solving homework problems. Students can reach the teaching material, solved problems, data
sheets, past exam papers etc. on the allocated Web site.
Teaching Techniques:
Powerpoint presentation and multimedia tools are used in classrooms. Tutorials are organized to establish
a closer contact with students. Classwork hours are performed whenever needed, which include one-toone interaction with the students. The class periods will be a combination of lectures by the instructor, inclass group discussions, and student presentations. Teaching will be based on active class participation
and laboratory experiments. Lectures are four hours per week and one hour is used for the laboratory
work. Part of the grade will be based on participation in the in-class activities and discussions, therefore
regular attendance is important. The course will include readings, oral presentations, quizzes, laboratory
reports, one midterm exam, and a final exam.
Laboratory/Studio Work:
Laboratory sessions are organized in parallel to theoretical study given in classrooms. Students attend the
geology and soil mechanics laboratory and perform tests and submit reports for evaluation. Attending the
laboratory sessions is compulsory in order to submit reports. Students who have a poor attendance in the
laboratory session will fail the course.
Grading Policy:
Lab Sessions and Participation
Presentation
Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Final Exam

15 %
5%
10 %
30 %
40 %

The contribution of the course to program educational objectives and outcomes:

The course helped achieve the following educational objectives:
Produce graduates with contemporary engineering knowledge, environmental awareness, ethics
and necessary technical and computer skills for a successful professional life,

Produce graduates with advanced knowledge, skills and practical information that will equip them
with the necessary tools either for work in industry or pursuing further studies in the areas of civil
engineering,

Possess the foundation required and an appreciation for the value of continuing professional
development in maintaining their professional competence.
The course makes significant contributions to the following program outcomes:
an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering,
an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data,
an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility,
an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.