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University of Alberta
EAS 201: EARTH SCIENCE I
Winter 2017
Instructor: Robert W. Luth
Office:
1-10 ESB
E-mail:
[email protected]
Web Page: eClass
Office Hours: Wednesday 10 am, Thursday 11 am, or by appointment
Lecture Room & Time: HC L 3 TR 0930-1050
Course Description: A non-laboratory introduction to the origin and evolution of the
Earth and the solar system. Introduction to plate tectonics and the rock cycle. Simple
energy balances and interactions between radiation and the atmosphere, land, oceans, ice
masses, and the global hydrological cycle. Evolution of life, biogeography, and global
climate in the context of geologic time. The carbon cycle. Human interactions with the
Earth. Mineral and energy resources. Not available to students with credit in EAS 100,
101, 102, 210 or SCI 100. (Note: EAS 201 and EAS 200 are considered to be equivalent
to EAS 100 for prerequisite purposes). [Faculty of Science]
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:
This course will serve as introduction to the scientific process and the field of
Earth Science for students who are novices in the field. By the end of this course students
will be able to explain what the scientific method is and how it is applied to the field of
Earth Science. They will gain an appreciation of the Earth as interconnected and dynamic
system that has changed and evolved over large timescales. The background they receive
should allow them to understand the landscape they live in and how we as humans impact
it as well as improve their scientific literacy.
By the end of the course, students will be able to explain the origin, age, and
structure of the Earth, describe the three rock types and how they fit into the rock cycle,
and describe the evidence for plate tectonics and explain how plate tectonic activities
cause earthquakes or build volcanoes. Students will name the different reservoirs of water
in the hydrosphere, describe the flow and dynamics between these reservoirs, and
describe the impact the hydrosphere has on the geosphere (i.e. erosion) and atmosphere
(i.e. evaporation). They will explain the composition, structure, and air movement in the
atmosphere and relate how this creates different biomes (i.e. deserts, rainforests). They
will cite past causes for climate change using evidence from the geological record and
describe the current driving factors. In respect to the biosphere, students will be able to
explain the concept of evolution and how life has evolved to what it is today using the
fossil record as evidence. Finally, they will describe global resources such as precious
metals, oil, and gas, how they fit in the geochemical cycle, and the human impact on
these reservoirs.
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Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings:
Week of
Jan 09
Topics and relevant readings
Introduction. Earth System Science, systems and cycles, scientific method
(Ch. 1), Earth and the Solar System, Geologic time (Ch. 2, 4).
Jan 16
Earth’s interior (Ch. 3). Atoms, minerals, rock types (Ch. 3). Igneous
rocks (Ch. 6 – volcanoes section, Ch. 7).
Jan 23
The Rock Cycle; weathering, erosion, soil formation (Ch. 3. 7).
Sedimentary rocks, stratigraphy, relative age (Ch. 3, 7).
Jan 30
Metamorphism and metamorphic rocks (Ch. 7), Plate tectonics (Ch. 5),
Earthquakes (Ch. 6 – earthquakes section)
Feb 6
Hydrologic cycle; groundwater (Ch. 1, 8). Term Exam 1.
Feb 13
Rivers and Lakes (Ch. 8)
Feb 20
Reading Week – no classes
Feb 27
The Cryosphere (Ch. 9), Oceans (Ch. 10)
Mar 6
Oceans (cont.), Atmosphere (Ch. 11).
Mar 13
Term Exam 2. Wind and weather systems (Ch. 12)
Mar 20
Wind and weather systems (cont.), climate and climate change (Ch. 13)
Mar 27
Biosphere (Ch. 14), ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles (Ch. 15)
Apr 3
Biomes, populations, biodiversity (Ch. 15, 16). Anthrosphere (Ch. 17-19).
Apr 10
Conclusion. Last day of classes Apr 11.
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Required Textbook: The Blue Planet by Skinner and Murck, 3rd Edition. Available in
binder-ready form at the University Bookstore; also available as an e-text through the
Special Orders desk at the Bookstore (or through Amazon).
Representative Evaluative Material:
Representative evaluative material will be available on eClass prior to the first
examination.
Grade Evaluation:
All assignments and examinations in this course will be given a numerical score.
A cumulative course mark will be calculated from those scores, weighted as tabulated
below. A final letter grade will be assigned based upon your cumulative mark and my
analysis of the class’s performance. Where possible, natural breaks in the cumulative
mark distribution will be used in assigning grades, but no pre-determined distribution of
grades will be imposed on the class. Your grade will reflect a combination of your
absolute achievement and relative standing in the class. In past years, the mean grade in
this course has been a B-.
EXAMS
Term Exam 1
Term Exam 2
Assignment
Final Exam
WEIGHTING
25%
25%
15%
35%
DATE
Feb 09
Mar 14
Apr 11
Apr 24*
*WARNING: Students must verify this date on BearTracks when the Final Exam
Schedule is posted.
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Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department offering the course.
Missed Term Exams and Assignments:
For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the
instructor(s) within two weeks of the start of Fall or Winter classes to request
accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may
request adequate documentation to substantiate the student request.
A student who cannot write a term examination or complete a term assignment due to
incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply
for a deferred midterm examination or deferral of the weight of the missed term
work/exam to other term work, term exam and/or the final exam. Applications for both
are to be made in writing to me within 48 hours of the missed exam or assignment due
date. Please consult with me regarding necessary supporting documentation. Deferral of
term work is a privilege, not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted.
Misrepresentation of facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student
Behaviour.
Deferred Final Examination:
A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe
domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final
examination. Students who failed at the start of term to request exam accommodations
for religious beliefs are expected to follow the normal deferred final examination process.
Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within two working
days of the missed examination and must be supported by a Statutory Declaration or
other appropriate documentation (Calendar section 23.5.6). Deferred examinations are a
privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be
granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of
the Code of Student Behaviour. If required, the deferred final examination will be held at
9 am on Friday, May 19, 2017.
Student Responsibilities:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: "The University of Alberta is committed to the highest
standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with
these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University
in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the
provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and
avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a
serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University."
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported
to the Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken.
Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offences. Anyone who
engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper
in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the
weights. As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on any examination
will include a disciplinary failing grade (NO EXCEPTIONS) and senior students
should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.
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EXAMS: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Students
will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes.
Students must remain in the exam room until at least 30 minutes has elapsed. Electronic
equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms and hats should not be worn.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars.
Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED
ACCOMMODATIONS (students registered with Student Accessibility Services SAS): Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibilityrelated accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance
with SAS deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and
deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations. Contact
SAS (www.ssds.ualberta.ca) for further information.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing
strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact
the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’ Union Building).
Policy about course outlines can be found in §23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
RECORDING AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF COURSE MATERIALS: Audio or
video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching
environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or
as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or
otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for
personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose
without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and
will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and
takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Copyright: Dr. Robert W. Luth, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences,
Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2017)