Answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found in the course syllabus and the course timetable.   You should read them and use them as your first sources of information.   If you have questions about the next test date, the reading schedule, the make-up policy, or office hours you will find the answers in these online documents.   The questions below are additional items of concern for many students.

Are the tests hard?

If you don't pay attention in class, do the assigned readings, and study diligently every week they will be very hard.   Ask your friends - most students who have taken the course will tell you that they were surprised by the first test.   Don't let it happen to you.   Arrive on test day expecting to be challenged.   Remember, most of the test questions will be completion, calculation, or short answer.   These types of questions require a different study strategy and much greater knowledge than the typical multiple-choice questions that only require you to pick the correct term.

When you arrive on test day, you should have a deep understanding of everything in your notes and everything in the assigned readings.   Everything!   You can do it. Start studying early and make this your goal.

How much work will I have to do?

Let me be honest and tell you that this is a high-enrollment course which makes it impossible for me to make and respond to a large number of written assignments.   However, you should not interpret that to mean that the workload is low.   Instead, you will be challenged by tests that require a thorough knowledge of the lecture topics and reading assignments.   You will also have several computer-based assignments.   To do well you must have a thorough understanding of every concept - and that takes most people a significant amount of time.

The real work-load of the course is the thorough preparation for challenging exams.   If you realize this early, and start working towards it, your chances of success are greatly increased.

What kind of grades do students earn?

That depends upon you.   You should maintain perfect attendance, pay attention in class, take good notes, review them regularly, do all of the readings, complete all of the assignments, and study a few hours per week or until you know the material thoroughly. If you do all of these things then you are preparing well and should have a good opportunity to earn an "A" or a "B."   If you skip some of the classes, blow-off most of the readings, and procrastinate study until the night before, you will be in deep trouble on test day.

Can I do an extra-credit assignment to bring up my grade?

Absolutely not! Extra credit assignments are a waste of everyone's time.   I used to give them until I discovered that they were done by two different groups of people - students who didn't need the points and students who neglected the course throughout the semester and then expected to do a half-assed job on some busy work that would have a miraculous impact on their grade.   Your time will be much better spent studying.

If you want to earn a good grade, start studying now for the next test, do all of the readings and come to class knowing everything in your notes.   Utilizing your professor's office hours, and visiting the tutor can both be part of a solid plan.   Start today, accept full and early responsibility for your learning.   You can do well if you try.

What advice do previous students of this course offer?

You can read the advice given to you from a large number of previous students in this course. In summary, they will tell you that the course contains a lot of information that will be useful to you in the future if you purchase a home or property. However, they will also tell you that the exams are very difficult and that you must take extensive notes and study very hard if you hope to do well.

I am not doing well in the course. What can I do?

There are many things that you can do. The first is to take responsibility for your learning and attend every class, take careful notes, read the text, and study a few hours every week - even if the test is a month away. After that, go to the Learning Center, where you can consult a tutor or obtain coaching on study skills, test-taking strategies and other things that can help you succeed. Finally, you can visit your instructor for tutoring. There you can review your exams to see what types of errors you have been making and identify a study strategy that might help you improve.

Do I really have to spell correctly on tests and assignments?

Certainly!  This is a college-level course and correct spelling is a sign of an educated person.   Incorrectly spelled words and numerical answers without correct and complete units will be treated as wrong answers.

Can I have an extension on the computer assignment?

Sorry!   You had plenty of time to do that assignment.   Your classmates sacrificed their leisure and other important opportunities to finish it on time.   If I give you an extension, I will dishonor their admirable work.   I will not do that!   When you decide to flirt with deadlines you take a risk that something unexpected will interfere with your work.

I always try to set my policies based upon what would happen in the work-place under similar situations.   There, if you deliver a product late, you do not lose a sale, instead you lose a customer.   In that situation, late work has negative value.   So, a zero on your assignment is pretty lenient in comparison.

... But the server was down last night and I couldn't access the assignment!

Hey, down servers are a fact of life.   You need to consider that possibility when you are planning your work. You had plenty of time to do that assignment.   Learn from this to start early next time.

How much math will I be expected to do?

You will do occasional math to figure out speeds, dates, and distances. You will also prepare and interpret graphs and maps which have a quantitative basis.   None of these tasks will require a level of math understanding beyond algebra or require operations beyond addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.   You can do them if you are willing to think, practice, and ask questions when necessary.

My dog ate my homework!

I didn't give you an "F". Your grade was determined by straight mathematics based upon the scores that you earned on exams and assignents. You better call grandma and your parents and tell them that your graduation has been postponed. Don't forget to mention that you skipped class, never went to the tutor and never studied. You didn't learn much geology but maybe you learned not to mess around when it counts.