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By Sunny Tunget

 A new learning community combining physical geology and intermediate algebra is being offered in the spring.

Students will register to take the two courses together, allowing the students to work together in both courses.

Taught by geology instructor Mike Phillips and math instructor Cheryl Hobneck, Math Rocks, as the combination is being called, includes:

- GEL 1008-200, Physical Geology, meeting Tueday and Thursday from 11 - 11:50 a.m.

- GELL 1008-200, Geology Lab, meeting Tuesday from 7:45 to 9:25 a.m.

- Geology and algebra seminar, meeting Friday from 11 - 11:50 a.m.

- MTH 0907-200, Intermediate Algebra, meeting Monday through Friday from 1 to 1:50 p.m.

Both instructors agreed that taking the courses together can be beneficial to the students who are more likely to work and study together.

Hobneck said, "Students get to know each other because they are in more than one class together."

She added, "It is always a good idea, especially in a math class, if you can form a study group or have a study buddy."

Connecting the two courses was a logical choice, Phillips said.

"I've noticed that some of the students have trouble doing the math portion in the geology labs," he said.

Hobneck explained that the algebra course is not for credit but geology is, and since the math needed in the geology course causes students problems, linking the courses was "to help the students over the rough spots."

Physical Geology is a four-semester hour lab science course. Intermediate Algebra is a four-semester hour developmental math course required for some students based on their math placement scores.

Hobneck said, "On the surface, it may not look like there is a connection (between geology and math)." Then she added, "the math that is there becomes very appropriate."

Phillips said that helping students see links between material covered in different courses is a goal of learning communities.

Other learning communities being offered during the spring 2002 semester are: