Earth Systems and the Environment

Fall, 2001
W 5:30 - 8:20 PM
Duncan Hall 306

When we try to pick out something by itself, we find it hitched
to everything else in the universe - John Muir


Instructor: Dr. Paula Messina
Phone: 408-924-5027 E-mail: pmessina@geosun.sjsu.edu
Office: Duncan Hall 307 Course Web site: http://geosun.sjsu.edu/paula/103

Required Text - Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science 9th Edition, Prentice-Hall.

Tentative Schedule

Aug. 29 Course Introduction: The Earth System
Geologic Time		 p. 1-14 

Chap. 10 

Sept. 5 The Solid Earth: Lesson 1 Review; Earth materials  Chap. 1-2
Sept. 12 The Solid Earth: Plate tectonics; earthquakes and volcanoes Chaps. 6-8
Sept. 19 The Solid Earth: Surface processes: where the spheres meet (presented by Prof. Ellen Metzger) Chap. 3
Sept. 26 Chap. 4
Hydrosphere: The water cycle and streams
Groundwater (presented by Prof. June Oberdorfer)

Oct. 3
Exam 1: The Solid Earth
Click here  to view a copy of the exam and answer key
Chaps. 12 and 13
Hydrosphere: Introduction to Oceanography 
Oct. 10 Atmosphere: Composition and Structure  Chap. 14
Oct. 17 Atmosphere: Weather Chaps. 15 and 16
Oct. 24 Atmosphere: Weather Patterns Oral Presentations I Chap. 17
Oct. 31 Oral Presentations II Chap. 18
Atmosphere: Climate Change; Global Warming
Nov. 7
Exam 2: Hydrosphere and Atmosphere
Click here to see the exam's answer key
Oral Presentations III Chap. 19
Astronomy: The Earth's Place in Space 
Nov 14 Astronomy: Our Solar System (Presented by Prof. Michael Kaufman) Chap. 20
Nov 28
Astronomy: Our Star-- The Sun  		Oral Presentations IV Chap. 21
Dec. 5 Oral Presentations V Chap 22
Astronomy: Beyond the Solar System 
Dec. 19,
5:15 PM
Final Exam (Exam 3 - on Astronomy: only)


Assignments - Geology 103

I -- Position Paper on an Earth Science-Related Controversy - You will write a 5-6 page paper that includes the following:

  • Part I. Background information

  • What is the issue being debated?
  • What data are used to study this topic?

  • What are the short- and long-term consequences of human intervention?
    •
  • Why do scientists disagree about this issue?
  • Part. II - Write an essay with a specific point of view. Support your stance with facts outlined in Part

    • • You should use at least three references; at least two should be from a source other than the Internet.
    • Your sources must be carefully documented using a format that will be discussed in class.

    Potential topics:

    Damming the Colorado River through Grand Canyon
    Global Warming: Fact or Fiction?
    Ozone Depletion: Curse or Blessing?
    Meteorite Impact Hazards on Earth
    Coastal Erosion, Residential Development, and Beach Replenishment
    Do We Really Need a Space Program?
    Recycling vs. Mining: What are the (Dis)Advantages?
    Topics must be approved by the instructor of this course on or before October 10. Papers are due on November 14. Late papers will not be graded, and will be assigned a failing grade.

    II -- Field Excursion and Oral Report - You will independently visit a place of geologic, oceanographic, meteorological, climatological, and/or astronomical interest. While there, you will obtain information, take photographs, and/or obtain printed literature for distribution to the class. You will report to the class on your field trip, highlighting its enrichment potential for someone studying the Earth Sciences. Your oral report may include a poster, Powerpoint presentation, or written report to be distributed to each class member. Presentations must not exceed 15 minutes, and will be graded on quality, accuracy, detail, and pertinence to topics examined in this course.
     

    Grading

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    Last Update: December 6, 2001