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Robert Leighty, Ph.D.

Residential Faculty - Geology

Physical Science

Physical Science

Office: PS 15 - Room: 218

480-461-7021

480-461-7234 (fax)

Office Hours

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM9:00 AM - 10:00 AM9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 
  

Online

Online

 
 By appointmentBy appointmentBy appointment 

ON-CAMPUS (PS 218) / T 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. / I am on-campus quite a bit and may be able to meet by appointment.

ONLINE ([email protected]) / TWTh 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. / I am online quite a bit and will typically respond to student email as soon as possible.

Profile

Classes Taught

Spring 2025

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 Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
27656

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025

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.

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

Class 27656 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

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

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 27656 must also register for .
27657

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025

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.

Class 27657 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 27657 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 General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
28001
Dobson Campus

PS113 - Geology Lab
Hybrid In-Person
Lecture
01/14/2025 – 05/09/2025
Tu
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Class Started

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.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 28001 must also register for .
28002
Dobson Campus

PS113 - Geology Lab
Hybrid In-Person
Lab
01/14/2025 – 05/09/2025
Tu
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Class Started

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.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 28002 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 General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
26864

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025

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.

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

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

Class 26864 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Spring Flex Start 2025

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 Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
28258

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
03/17/2025 – 05/09/2025

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.

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

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

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

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 28258 must also register for .
28259

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
03/17/2025 – 05/09/2025

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.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 28259 must also register for .

Fall 2025

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 Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
23613

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

20 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.

Class 23613 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

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

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 23613 must also register for .
23614

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

20 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.

Class 23614 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

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

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 23614 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 General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
23450

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

20 of 28
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.

Class 23450 Students may contact instructor at [email protected]

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

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 23450 must also register for .
23451

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

20 of 28
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.

Class 23451 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

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

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 23451 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 General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
32790

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

24 of 24
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.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

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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