Summer 2004 ES 250 - Earth Science


Dr. Mark P. Turski
232b Boyd Hall
535-2749
email: mark.turski@plymouth.edu
homepage: http://oz.plymouth.edu/~sci_ed/Turski/

Textbooks:
Required - Tarbuck, E. & Lutgens F. (2000, 10th Edition). Earth Science.

    The primary goal of Earth Science education and this course is to help students use knowledge of the Earth and its systems to improve their personal life and the quality of life of humans everywhere. Within the Earth Science context students will develop the concept of science as a way of knowing. Therefore, knowledge about the Earth sciences is learned and interpreted in a personal-social context for future world citizens. Earth system science has emerged as the predominant paradigm for Earth studies. It is now recognized that Earth is an intricately coupled system where the interactions between land and its soils, oceans, atmosphere, terrestrial and marine life, sediments, and ice are critical to an understanding of environmental change.

    This course is based on the following fundamental learning outcomes. After studying Earth Science students should:

(1) have gained a knowledge of facts, concepts and principles related to major unifying topics in Earth sciences;
(2) be able to use and understand both holistic and reductive scientific methods as ways to acquire new knowledge;
(3) be able to process relevant information, update knowledge, and make responsible decisions regarding science and the use of technology;
(4) be aware of careers in the Earth sciences and how Earth sciences affect fields such as education, law, politics and economics;
(5) develop an understanding and function as part of a cooperative learning group;
(6) be aware of common themes that transcend many fields of science, mathematics and technology;
(7) develop techniques to generate new questions about Earth science and how to go about answering these questions; and finally
(8) have some FUN!!!

One of the keys to having FUN is being prepared for class. We will spend most of each day outside rain or shine. You will be spending time walking around campus, in the woods and  on and in the Pemi. You need to dress appropriately. Shoes with 4 inch soles are not appropriate! Good hiking boots and/or sandals, sneakers are appropriate. Pack some water shoes if you have them. The cheap ones from Walmart work fine. Bring a pack to class. It should include BUG DOPE, towel, water bottle, sunscreen, lighter, your cell phone in a plastic bag. Hats, bandanas, a head net for bugs and other items for outdoor work will make your life much more enjoyable.

  = FUN for Everyone!

The major area addressed in this course is:
Earth Structure and Function - a study of the solid portion of the Earth which includes rocks and minerals, rock cycle; plate tectonics and the dynamic state of the Earth; land forms, geologic features and their formation.
    We will consider a number of unifying conceptual themes that form the basis for this course. These themes include change, cycles, equilibrium, energy, models, scale, systems, and the interdisciplinary nature of science. These underlying themes are consistent with numerous national science curriculum recommendations.

The Use of Computer Technology in The Study of the Earth Sciences.

    One of the major goals of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to become proficient with various computer technology in order to further enhance your ability to learn about the Earth sciences. The intent is to create an effective format using technology that will encourage students to think about what they are learning, locate and process information available through technology, and ask their own questions. This will be accomplished through the following activities:
 

1. Use of the CD-ROM (GEODe) that comes with the textbook;
2. Use of Home Page for the textbook (http://www.prenhall.com/tarbuck) which includes quizzes, sample exam questions, review materials, and Web resources;
3. Accessing Web Resources as listed at the end of each chapter in the textbook or given to you by a faculty member;
4. Make class presentations using Power Point and other presentation software;
5. Access data and analyze laboratory and field data;
6. Use digital imaging for labs and projects; and
6. Search databases for online articles pertaining to current topics in the Earth sciences.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
 
(1) Each student is expected to be an active participant in all aspects of the course, especially the use of computer technology. This includes attendance at class meetings, participation in class and online discussions, and involvement in group projects. Please note that we have taken a 16 week course and condensed it into three weeks. You still have the same amount of class time, but you will need to commit another 2-3 hours per day to complete the assignments. This is like having a full time job!

(2) Specific requirements include assigned text readings, written lab reports, homework assignments, library research reports and the use of the computer in laboratory data analysis and report writing (all reports must be typed). Work is to be completed by the next class meeting unless specified otherwise. This does not mean that all assignments will be collected for grading.  It is advisable that you have a well organized notebook that contains all your materials with you during ALL class meetings.

(3) Any work missed due to lack of attendance is the student's responsibility. If an assignment is collected while a student is not in attendance the highest grade it will receive will be an 80, it will lose 10 points each succeeding day that it is late. I will not ask students for late work it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed.

(4) There will be (1) exam.

(5) There will be several presentation and research assignments. The format for these assignments will be given in class.

(6) There will be a group research project dealing with an environmental/earth science topic. A research paper and Power Point class presentation class presentation will be part of this assignment. Hand drawn posters or overheads are NOT permissible. (There are exceptions to this rule but they must be approved by me in advance!)

Suggested Topics:

  1. Beach Erosion
  2. Roadside geology trip
  3. Granite Quarrying
  4. Mining Industry
  5. Dams - Flood Control and/or Hydroelectric
  6. Selecting a house site and building your dream home
Class Schedule
 

GRADING (UGH!)
Test
15%
Lab
40%
Project
25%
Gemstone Presentation
5%
National Park Project
15%
Total
100%

Final Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

100 - 94 A                 79.9 - 77 - C+                         65.9 - 65 - D-

93.9 - 90 - A-             76.9 - 73 - C                            <65 - F

89.9 - 87 - B+             72.9 - 70 - C-

86.9 - 83 - B               69.9 - 68 - D+

82.9 - 80 - B-             67.9 - 66 - D
 
 

I DO NOT SCALE TESTS.
THERE ARE NO EXTRA CREDIT PROJECTS OR ASSIGNMENTS!