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Geology for Engineers

Geology for Engineers. Leslie Gertsch Geological Engineering Mining Engineering Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center. Contradictions of Engineering Students. Preferences: Quantitative Objective Abilities: Qualitative Subjective Result: Frustration.

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Geology for Engineers

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  1. Geology for Engineers Leslie Gertsch Geological Engineering Mining Engineering Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center

  2. Contradictions of Engineering Students • Preferences: • Quantitative • Objective • Abilities: • Qualitative • Subjective • Result: Frustration

  3. Difficulties from Logistics View • Student preparation • Varying class levels (should be sophomore) • Several different majors • Geological engineering • Mining engineering • Civil engineering • Petroleum engineering • Environmental engineering • Various science, humanities, and social sciences • Career needs vary • Most are related to geologic materials

  4. Difficulties from Engineering View • Student preparation • Students have completed different courses: • Statics, dynamics, mechanics, fluids, electro-magnetics • Neither topic nor materials in comfort zone • Perceived as subjective, vague, not measurable • Many geologic concepts not quantifiable • At the introductory level • With the skills available to the avg sophomore • Actually, the least-prepared student

  5. Difficulties from Science View • Student preparation • Students have completed different courses: • Economics, humanities, social sciences, philosophy • Physics, chemistry, algebra, trigonometry, calculus • Many fundamental concepts combined • Integrating science and engineering • Science topics • Engineering

  6. Course Design • Reliable course sequence, but with texture • Constrain first-order rhythm • Vary second-order texture w/ pace & detail level • Multiple activity types • Bring comfort zone into the mix • Explore same topic subjectively and objectively

  7. Course Design • Frequent activities of different types • Reading (audio review available) • Lecture review w/ added material • Clicker questions • Homework • In-class team exercises • Quizzes • Midterm exams • Lab exercises • Field trips

  8. The correct answer to #24 is … Course Design • Student ownership • Vote on topics to include • Propose questions/answers for exams • Check each others’ proposals • Rapid, reliable feedback • Explicit topic relationships to each engineering major • Coverage uneven • Surprise factor

  9. Course Design • Schedule & expectations explicit from start • Emphasize personal responsibility • No curved grades • Give “grade engineers” something to work with • Be consistent • All info available all the time • Blackboard, WebCT, etc. • Positive expectations • Honest effort results from respectful treatment

  10. Course Design • Incorporate unexpected things • News items • Earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption • Hurricane, flood, landslide, eclipse • Mine collapse, dam failure • Space exploration • Newest outputs from Mars rovers, orbiters, and lander • Lunar missions will be starting again Nov 2008 • Other fun things • Local “urban legends” • Local companies • Materials used in/on/under campus buildings

  11. Yet to Be Implemented Fully • Tutoring/mentoring • Of less-advanced by more-advanced students • Assigned, multiple-major teams • For in-class exercises • Instead of self-selected teams • Fast feedback on essay homeworks • Well-integrated field trips • Better integration of lab with lecture • Reduce effects of logistics and schedule mismatches

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