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Faculty + Staff

David

Thomas

Adjunct Faculty
Natural Sciences
Arts and Sciences
Email: dthomas2@ltu.edu
Phone: 248.204.3600
Office: Mailbox S322

Professional Background

Dave Thomas currently teaches Geology 1103 at Lawrence Technological University.

COURSE OBJECTIVES – Students will be able to:

  • Define geology as a science.
  • Draw, interpret and define topographic profiles.
  • Draw, interpret and define topographic maps.
  • Explain the concept of the rock cycle.
  • Compare and contrast the layers of Earth defined by composition and physical properties.
  • Discuss the theory of plate tectonics.
  • List the three types of plate boundaries and give a location for each type.
    • ·       Define minerals and explain how they differ from rocks.

      ·        List the eight elements that make up most of the Earth’s continental crust.
      ·       Know physical and chemical tests used to identify a mineral sample.

      ·       Correctly identify given mineral samples.

      ·       Describe how two types of igneous rocks form.

      ·       Explain the difference between magma and lava.

      ·       List the two criteria that are used to classify igneous rocks.

      ·       Describe how the cooling of magma influences the crystal size.

      ·       Relate the mineral makeup of an igneous rock to Bowen’s reaction series.

      ·       Describe the differences between basaltic and granitic rocks.

      ·       Correctly identify selected igneous rocks.

      ·       Discuss the difference between explosive and mild volcanic activity.

      ·       Discuss viscosity, silica content, volatiles, and magma composition.

      ·       List the various materials erupted from volcanoes.

      ·       Compare and contrast shield, stratovolcanoes, and cinder cones.

      ·       Discuss the causes of explosive volcanic eruptions.

      ·       Explain the origin of calderas, necks, lava domes, etc.

      ·       List and describe the various types of plutonic igneous bodies.

      ·       Discuss igneous activity at tectonic plate margins.

      ·       Identify and explain “The Ring of Fire.”

      ·       Discuss the various processes involved in physical weathering.

      ·       Discuss the various processes involved in chemical weathering.

      ·       List and briefly explain those factors which control rates of weathering.

      ·       Define soil and explain the difference between soil and regolith.

      ·       Discuss soil formation, including those factors that control soil formation.

      ·       Explain the concept of the soil profile and how it relates to soil formation.

      ·       Discuss the characteristics of the soil horizons in a typical soil profile.

      ·       Briefly discuss soil erosion.

      ·       Briefly discuss how sediment is turned into sedimentary rock.

      ·       Explain and briefly define the major types of detrital sedimentary rocks.

      ·       Explain and briefly define the major types of chemical sedimentary rocks.

      ·       List and briefly discuss the major sedimentary depositional environments.

      ·       Discuss the most common characteristic feature of sedimentary rocks.

      ·       Describe the two broad groups of nonmetallic mineral resources.

      ·       List the energy resources that are associated with sedimentary rocks.

      ·       Correctly identify selected sedimentary rocks.

      ·       Briefly discuss the concept of metamorphism and metamorphic rocks.

      ·                 Describe the agents of metamorphism: heat, pressure, and chemical fluids.

      ·                 Briefly discuss the importance and origin of metamorphic textures.

      ·                 Compare and contrast foliated and nonfoliated textures.

      ·                 List and define common foliated and nonfoliated metamorphic rocks.

      ·                 Correctly identify selected metamorphic rocks.

      ·                 Explain the origin of earthquakes and faults.

      Distinguish the Richter Scale from the Mercalli Scale

      ·                 Discuss elastic rebound and the accumulation of strain in rocks.

      ·                 Discuss seismology, and seismograms.

      Identify and distinguish the characteristics of P, S and L seismic waves.

      Measure the distance to an epicenter using Travel Time curves.

      Distinguish the focus from an epicenter.

      Describe the causes of the secondary effects of earthquakes.

      Locate on a map the three major earthquake belts.

      Understand earthquakes in relation to tectonic plate boundaries.

      Explain how seismic waves determine earth’s interior structure.

      ·                 Discuss and explain the hydrologic cycle on Earth.

      ·                 Briefly discuss the concept of discharge and gradient.

      ·                 Explain the changes from the head to the mouth of a stream.

      ·                 Compare and contrast how streams transport sediment.

      Describe the development of a floodplain.

      Identify the features of a floodplain.

      ·                 Distinguish between the competence and capacity of a stream.

      ·                 List and briefly describe the various types of stream deposits.

      ·                 Briefly explain the concept of base level and graded streams.

      ·                 Compare and contrast the characteristics of stream valleys.

      ·                 List and briefly describe the various types of drainage patterns.

      ·                 Briefly discuss the importance of groundwater.

      ·                 Explain the distribution of groundwater and the water table.

      ·                 Understand how groundwater affects streams.

      ·                 Discuss factors influencing the  movement of groundwater.

      ·                 Compare and contrast springs, hot springs, and geysers.

      ·                 Discuss problems associated with groundwater withdrawal.

      ·                 Research and present a power point presentation as a team.

      ·                 Critique another student’s presentation.

      ·                 Compare and contrast the different types of glaciers.

      ·                 Briefly discuss the formation and movement of glaciers.

      ·                 Discuss the processes involved in glacial erosion.

      ·                 Compare and contrast landforms produced by glacial erosion.

      ·                 Discuss the processes associated with glacial deposition.

      ·                 Compare and contrast landforms produced by glacial deposition.

» Document Viewer

Use Your Cell Phone as a Document Camera in Zoom

  • What you will need to have and do
  • Download the mobile Zoom app (either App Store or Google Play)
  • Have your phone plugged in
  • Set up video stand phone holder

From Computer

Log in and start your Zoom session with participants

From Phone

  • Start the Zoom session on your phone app (suggest setting your phone to “Do not disturb” since your phone screen will be seen in Zoom)
  • Type in the Meeting ID and Join
  • Do not use phone audio option to avoid feedback
  • Select “share content” and “screen” to share your cell phone’s screen in your Zoom session
  • Select “start broadcast” from Zoom app. The home screen of your cell phone is now being shared with your participants.

To use your cell phone as a makeshift document camera

  • Open (swipe to switch apps) and select the camera app on your phone
  • Start in photo mode and aim the camera at whatever materials you would like to share
  • This is where you will have to position what you want to share to get the best view – but you will see ‘how you are doing’ in the main Zoom session.