Fall 2021 Syllabus
GE0 302Q Gems and Gem Minerals

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  • Lecture:
 10:00 -11:00; M, W, F; JGB 3.120
  • Labs:
    (Rm. 3.102)
 All Labs meet in JGB 3.102  (Lab Syllabus link here)
  • Mon. 11-1 (#27885)
  • Wed. 1-3 (#27895)
  • Wed. 3-5 (#27890)
  • Instructor:
 Dr. Mark Helper, JGB 4.112; 471-1009; 512-924-2526 (mobile) helper@jsg.utexas.edu
  • Teaching Assistants:
  • Office Hours:
 M, W, Fr; 9-10 and whenever my door (JGB 4.112) is open.  TA office hours are in the lab syllabus.
  • Grading:
  • Lab = 35%
  • Exam I = 15%
  • Exam II = 15%
  • Final Exam = 20%
  • Term Project = 15%

Plus and minus grades will be used for final class grades, with breaks at: A: >93, A-: 90-92, B+:87-89, B: 83-86, B-: 80-82, etc.  Lecture attendance is not used in determining your course grade, but all labs require your attendance. 

  • Q Drop Policy:
 If you want to drop a class after the 12th class day, you’ll need to execute a Q drop before the Q-drop deadline, which typically occurs near the middle of the semester. Under Texas law, you are only allowed six Q drops while you are in college at any public Texas institution. For more information, see: https://onestop.utexas.edu/registration-and-degree-planning/registering-for-classes/add-drop-a-course/
  • Prerequisites:
 You must be a registered student to participate in the laboratories for this class. This class does not count toward a degree in Geological Sciences.
  • Required text:
 Read, Peter G., Gemmology; 3rd edition. Elsevier, 324 pp. Copies are on reserve in the Geology Library and available online at http://utxa.eblib.com.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=269998.  You need an EID and password to view and/or print the online version.
  • Recommended text:
 Cipriani, C. and Borelli, A., 1984. Simon and Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones. Simon and Schuster. A handy, inexpensive, superbly illustrated book that is useful in lab.
  • Online Notes and handouts:
 Notes for material presented during lectures in the last half of the course, are available on this web site.  Many class handouts are available here as well.
  • Other Items:
 Term Projects: Can be 1 or more faceted stones, several cabochons, a combination of both, or a paper on a topic of your choosing (subject to approval).  See the project description.
  • Web Sites:
 The class website address is http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/347k.   Most of the material posted there is also accessible at the class Canvas site.
  • Academic Integrity:
 Each student in the course is expected to abide by the University of Texas Honor Code: “As a student of The University of Texas at Austin, I shall abide by the core values of the University and uphold academic integrity.” Plagiarism is taken seriously at UT. Therefore, if you use words or ideas that are not your own (or that you have used in previous class), you must cite your sources. Otherwise you will be guilty of plagiarism and subject to academic disciplinary action, including failure of the course. You are responsible for understanding UT’s Academic Honesty and the University Honor Code.
 
  • Sharing of Course Materials is Prohibited:
 No materials used in this class, including, but not limited to, lecture hand-outs, videos, assessments (quizzes, exams, papers, projects, homework assignments), in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets, may be shared online or with anyone outside of the class unless you have my explicit, written permission. Unauthorized sharing of materials promotes cheating. It is a violation of the University’s Student Honor Code and an act of academic dishonesty. I am well aware of the sites used for sharing materials, and any materials found online that are associated with you, or any suspected unauthorized sharing of materials, will be reported to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students. These reports can result in sanctions, including failure in the course. 
 
  • Class Recordings: 
 Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form. Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct proceedings.
  • Students with Disabilities:

This class respects and welcomes students of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. If there are circumstances that make our learning environment and activities difficult, if you have medical information that you need to share with me, or if you need specific arrangements in case the building needs to be evacuated, please let me know. I am committed to creating an effective learning environment for all students, but I can only do so if you discuss your needs with me as early as possible. I promise to maintain the confidentiality of these discussions. Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 512-410-6644 (Video Phone) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations. For more information, visit http://ddce.utexas.edu/disability/about/.
 
  • Attendance/ Religious Holidays:
 By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.  The same goes for other UT-sanctioned activities - please let me know in advance so I can arrange an accommodation.
 
  • Safety and Class Participation/Masks: 

We will all need to make some adjustments in order to benefit from in-person classroom interactions in a safe and healthy manner. Our best protections against spreading COVID-19 on campus are masks (defined as cloth face coverings) and staying home if you are showing symptoms. Therefore, for the benefit of everyone, this means that all students are encouraged to follow these important rules. 

  • Please wear a cloth face-covering properly in class and in all campus buildings at all times. 
  • Please participate in documented daily symptom screening using the Protect Texas Together app.  Once the symptom screening is completed, it will inform students whether they are cleared to come to campus. Students should only come to campus if the symptom screening app clears them to do so. Otherwise, students should isolate and contact a medical professional for further guidance before coming to campus again.
  • Information regarding safety protocols with and without symptoms can be found here.
  • COVID-19: Reporting symptoms, and test results: To help keep everyone at UT and in our community safe, it is critical that students report COVID-19 symptoms and testing, regardless of test results, to University Health Services, and that faculty and staff report to the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP) as soon as possible. Please see this link to understand what needs to be reported.  In addition, to help understand what to do if a fellow student in the class (or the instructor or TA) tests positive for COVID, see this University Health Services link.
  • While attending lab in JGB 3.102, each student should wear a provided pair of disposable gloves for the duration of the class period.  Gloves will be properly disposed of at the end of each class period.  Do not handle specimens or equipment without gloves.
  Additional Guidance for Fall 2021:
  • Consumption of food and drink is not allowed in classrooms or public areas of university buildings except for designated break areas.
  • Use the hand sanitizer provided in buildings, or your own personal hand sanitizer, after entering the building.

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Updated 08/10/21
Comments and questions to helper@jsg.utexas.edu
Department of Geological Sciences
The University of Texas at Austin