Robert Leighty, Ph.D.

Residential Faculty - Geology

Physical Science

Physical Science

Office: PS 15 - Room: 218

480-461-7021

480-461-7234 (fax)

https://physci.mesacc.edu/Geology/Leighty/www/index.html

Office Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
 
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
 
 
Online
Online
Online
 
 
By appointment
By appointment
By appointment
 

ON-CAMPUS (PS 218) / T 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. / I am commonly on-campus and may be able to meet by appointment, if possible.

ONLINE ([email protected]) / TWR 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. / I am online quite a bit all week and will respond to student emails as soon as possible. 

Profile

Classes Taught

Fall 2026

GLG101IN Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth 4 Credits

Introduction to Earth's materials, surface and internal geologic processes, plate tectonics and geologic time. Includes practical experience in rock and mineral identification, topographic maps, and applied problems in geology. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
16490
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 16490 must also register for .
16491
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 16491 must also register for .
GLG102IN Historical Geology: Primordial to Present 4 Credits

The origin and history of the Earth, its dynamic geographic and climatic changes. Evolution and sequence of life recorded in the fossil record; tectonic evolution of major continents through time. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Historical Awareness [H], Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
16341
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 16341 must also register for .
16342
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 16342 must also register for .
GLG105 Introduction to Planetary Science 4 Credits

A survey of solar system objects and their geologic evolution, surfaces, interiors, and atmospheres, and the methods used to study them; weekly laboratory for data analysis and experiments; possible weekend field trip. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
17669
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Closed

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Spring 2027

GLG101IN Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth 4 Credits

Introduction to Earth's materials, surface and internal geologic processes, plate tectonics and geologic time. Includes practical experience in rock and mineral identification, topographic maps, and applied problems in geology. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
11261
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

25 of 26
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 11261 must also register for .
11262
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

25 of 26
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 11262 must also register for .
GLG102IN Historical Geology: Primordial to Present 4 Credits

The origin and history of the Earth, its dynamic geographic and climatic changes. Evolution and sequence of life recorded in the fossil record; tectonic evolution of major continents through time. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Historical Awareness [H], Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
11493
Dobson Campus

PS 113
Hybrid In-Person
Lecture
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027
Tu
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Open

17 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session.

Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Course fee will be used to provide the required Geology lab manual for this course

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 11493 must also register for .
11494
Dobson Campus

PS 113
Hybrid In-Person
Lab
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027
Tu
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Open

17 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session.

Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 11494 must also register for .
GLG105 Introduction to Planetary Science 4 Credits

A survey of solar system objects and their geologic evolution, surfaces, interiors, and atmospheres, and the methods used to study them; weekly laboratory for data analysis and experiments; possible weekend field trip. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
10647
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

16 of 26
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Spring Flex Start 2027

GLG101IN Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth 4 Credits

Introduction to Earth's materials, surface and internal geologic processes, plate tectonics and geologic time. Includes practical experience in rock and mineral identification, topographic maps, and applied problems in geology. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
11666
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
03/22/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

25 of 26
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 11666 must also register for .
11667
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
03/22/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

25 of 26
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 11667 must also register for .

Degrees & Awards

Ph.D. (Geology) - Arizona State University (1997)

M.S. (Geology) - Northern Arizona University (1990)

B.S. (Geology) - The College of William and Mary (1988)

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