Textbook

Syllabus

Grades

Exams

Quizzes

Response Papers

Topics

Topical Readings

Earth Science Syllabus

Objective - The primary focus of this course is to:

• Introduce the student to the dynamics of how planet earth works,
• explore the major processes that shape the surface of the Earth,
• investigate the interactions between the land, the sea and the atmosphere and finally,
• to define the relationship between our planet and the rest of the heavens.

Topics covered will include:

• Introduction and the Scientific Method - you will have the opportunity to understand and apply the general nature of scientific thinking and how scientific knowledge is accumulated and tested to form theories.
• Minerals and Rocks - we will explore the mineral world, their unique properties and look at some of the rock types that they often produce. We will also look at the different ways that rocks are created (from volcanoes, floods, mountain building processes and such) and distributed around the world, outline the rock cycle and discuss what these rocks tell us about the geologic history of areas.
• Plate Tectonics and the Earth's Interior - we will walk through the development of the most important set of ideas that explain how planet Earth works and see the relevance of these ideas to processes and events that we witness on the surface of the Earth today. We will determine how these ideas pertain to earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building processes.
• Surface Processes - we will also investigate processes (sometimes hazardous) that affect everyday life on Earth including landslides, streams and flooding, groundwater, glaciers, and wind and deserts.
• Geologic Time - discussions will delve into the concepts of geologic time and what the geologic record tells us about the formation of the Earth and the origin of life.
• The Ocean Environment - will focus on the physical dynamics of the ocean basins themselves, the mechanisms that induce changes into this environment and the mechanics behind surface and subsurface wave action..
• The Atmosphere - the general nature of atmospheric conditions, the influence of solar energy on weather conditions, the nature and movement of water in the atmosphere, air pressure differences and winds, storms and weather trends, how all of these conditions define climatic conditions, and the influence of man on climatic conditions.
• Astronomy - this final venture will take us to the origins of the science of Astronomy, man's understanding of how our planet moves through the heavens and how this understanding has evolved through time. We will learn about the other planets in our solar system, what makes them similar and different to the Earth, and explore some of the tools astronomers use to explore the heavens. We will finish by looking outside of our solar system and explore the birth of the universe.
  
  Required Textbook - Earth Science, E. Tarbuck and F. Lutgens, 9th ed.
   

  Instructor	Dr. Kevin Cornwell
  Office	Room 1016, Placer Hall
  Office hours	Immediately after class or by appointment
  Phone	915.278.6667
  Email	cornwell@csus.edu.

Grades - Your course grade will be determined by your performance three (3) exams (20% each), a comprehensive final (25%), several quizzes (10%) and several short response papers (5%). There will be no extra credit. Missed exercises without prior arrangement will be given a grade of zero. Any form of academic misconduct will result in a grade of zero for that exercise and will be reported to the Geology Department or the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Exams - The exams will consist of multiple choice questions and will cover all material covered in class (response papers, readings, videos, slides, lectures, quizzes, etc.) and assigned readings. If you must miss an exam please make prior arrangements with me or, if ill, call and let me know the problem. There will be no make-up exams without an excused absence. I am most serious about this policy, you should be too. Probable exam dates: September 24, October 22, November 19 and Finals Week (Wednesday 12/15 from 10:15-12:15). Make sure you bring a scantron (#882-ES or equivalent).

Quizzes - Every friday there will be a short quiz (~4 questions) given that will cover material recently discussed in class or from the required readings. There will be no make-up quizzes, instead, I will drop your lowest quiz score. Make sure you bring scantrons (#815-E or equivalent).

Response papers - You will receive or be directed to an article to be read and thought about. I will ask you to write a one page response (typed) to questions asked and turn it in by the date requested. Late response papers will not be accepted and there is no make-up for these assignments. These papers will be graded primarily on content. These response papers will make up 5% of your course grade.

Topical Readings - Are included at this website. Periodic subject matter can be further explored utilizing the linked web readings.