NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

Course title: EARTH SCIENCE FOR NON-MAJORS I

Course prefix, number, and section number: GEO 1401-0341

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2026

Semester start and end dates: 01/12/2026 - 05/09/2026

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid):

Class meeting location, days, and times: Asynchronous Online

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Asynchronous Online

Semester credit hours: 4

Course Description:

Survey of geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. This laboratory-based course accompanies GEOL 1301, Earth Sciences I. Activities will cover methods used to collect and analyze data in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Lab fees apply

Course prerequisites:  None

 

Course Materials

Starting in Spring 2026 NCTC is partnering with Barnes & Noble College (BNC) to make purchasing course materials easy and affordable.  When students register for classes, they are automatically opted in to the Lion Book Bundle which will provide students first day access to course materials.  In this program students are charged $24 per credit hour ($96 for a 4-hour class) as a fee on their NCTC student account. (This is labeled as “Book Fee” on NCTC invoices). Students may choose to opt out of this program, but would then be required to purchase needed class materials on their own. If opting out, students would receive a refund on their NCTC student account. Students may choose to opt out starting one month prior to classes beginning through the first week of class. Students might benefit from opting out if they are enrolled in classes that use OER (free course materials).  Note: The Lion Book Bundle applies to all classes a student is registered for in a given semester (both 16-week and 8-week). A student must either opt in or out for ALL classes—not each class individually.  If you want to take advantage of the Lion Book Bundle, no action is needed as students are automatically opted in.  If you would like to opt out of the program, you must go to the Opt-out page.

Click here for more information: Lion Book Bundle information

 

Required Course Materials:

EARTH SCIENCE: 9781264561070 Edition 3rd by Stephen Reynolds, & Julia Johnson with McGraw-Hill Connect. 

An online lab manual is provided free of charge

 

INCLUDED in the Lion Book Bundle:

EARTH SCIENCE: 9781264561070 Edition 3rd by Stephen Reynolds, & Julia Johnson with McGraw-Hill Connect. 

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NOT INCLUDED in the Lion Book Bundle:

Some materials are required for the course, but are not included in the Lion Book Bundle. 

Students must purchase these materials on their own or through the bookstore, if available, during the first week of the semester.

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Name of instructor: Dr. Eric Tangumonkem

Office location: Online

Telephone number: 214-908-3963

E-mail address: etangumonkem@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Monday 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

 

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

 

 

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

 

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

 

 

List of graded assignments:

30- Assignments/SmartBook              = 10%

12 – Labs                                             = 25%

15 – Discussions/Blogs                        = 10%

17 – Quizzes                                        = 20%

2 – Exam                                             = 35%

Total                                                    = 100%

 

 

Final grade scale: 

90 - 100% = A

80 - 89%   = B

70 - 79%   = C

60 - 69%   = D

below 60% = F

 

 

Late work policy:

Late work should be the exception and not the rule and may be downgraded at the

discretion of the Instructor, if accepted at all. Unless all work is submitted, the student

could receive a failing grade for the course. Extensions may be granted for extenuating

circumstances at the discretion of the Instructor, and only for the length of time, the

Instructor deems appropriate. The most important element of success in an online

course is to communicate with your Instructor throughout the term.

 

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

 

 

COURSE POLICIES

 

 

Academic Integrity Policy:

Students are expected to do their own work on exams and assignments, unless otherwise

stated. Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic F on the assignment

or exam. Consult the NCTC Student Handbook regarding college policies on cheating and/or plagiarism.

 

Artificial Intelligence Policy:

AI may be used only as a learning aid, such as to clarify concepts, organize ideas, or improve grammar. AI may not be used to generate or submit assignments, discussion posts, labs, quizzes, or exams as a student’s own work, nor to fabricate sources or data.

All submitted work must reflect the student’s original understanding and effort. Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any AI-assisted content. Misuse of AI constitutes academic dishonesty and will be handled according to NTC policy.

 

Bottom line: AI can support learning, but the thinking and analysis must be your own.

 

Attendance Policy:

This course is an online course and runs Sixteen (16) weeks. Each week begins on Monday

and ends at 11:59 pm EDT/EST on Sunday. Success in this course requires in-depth study of each

unit as assigned, timely completion of assignments, and regular participation in forum

discussions.

• This is a fully online course. You are not required to login at specific times each week,

however, assignments are due throughout the week and you must login throughout the

week to complete the assignments.

• You should expect to spend more than required class time on this course to complete all assignments.

• Participation in the course is critical. Your success in this course will be the direct result

of your participation for each assignment. Attendance will be taken but it is not part of

your grade. You will be considered in attendance if you complete at least one

assignment on by its’ due date.

• Late work should be the exception and not the rule and may be downgraded at the

discretion of the Instructor, if accepted at all. Unless all work is submitted, the student

could receive a failing grade for the course. Extensions may be granted for extenuating

circumstances at the discretion of the Instructor, and only for the length of time, the

Instructor deems appropriate. The most important element of success in an online

course is to communicate with your Instructor throughout the term.

• Labs will be completed in Canvas. Some labs require printing and/or use of pdf

annotator. Canvas will have additional information to help you with the lab. If you do

not understand something, you should use the discussion board and/or email me for

help since portions of the lab will be on the exams.

• Conventions of “online etiquette,” which include courtesy to all users, will be observed.

• It is highly recommended that students keep electronic copies of all materials

Submitted as assignments, discussion board posts and emails, until after the end of the term and a final grade is received. When posting responses in a discussion forum, please confirm that the responses have actually been posted after you submit them

 

 

 

Withdrawal Policy: A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: 03/30/2026

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain the current theories concerning the origin of the Universe and of the Solar System.
2. Explain the place of Earth in the Solar System and its relationships with other objects in the Solar System.
3. Relate the origin and evolution of Earth’s internal structures to its resulting geologic systems, including Earth materials and plate tectonic activities.
4. Explain the operation of Earth’s geologic systems and the interactions among the atmosphere, the geosphere, and the hydrosphere, including meteorology and oceanography.
5. Explain the history of the Earth including the evolution of earth systems and life forms.
6. Classify rocks and minerals based on chemical composition, physical properties, and origin.
7. Apply knowledge of topographic maps, diagrams, and/or photographs to identify landforms and explain the processes that created them.
8. Differentiate the types of plate boundaries, explain the processes that occur at each and identify associated structural features on maps, block diagrams and cross sections.
9. Apply relative and numerical age-dating techniques to construct geologic histories.
10. 10 Measure atmospheric processes that affect weather and climate.
11. 11Describe the composition and motion of ocean water and analyze the factors controlling both.
12. 12Compare properties and motions of objects in the solar system.
13. 13Demonstrate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data.

 

Core Objectives:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Empirical and Quantitative Analysis

 

 

COLLEGE POLICIES