Introduction to the Earth Sciences

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Department of Earth Sciences

GLY 1010 Introduction to the Earth Sciences

Department of Earth Sciences Office: PC 344, tel.: 348-2365

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Welcome to Introduction to the Earth Sciences. This course is concerned with the planet that you live on - the Earth: its composition, structure and the dynamic processes that have both shaped the present appearance of the planet and will cause its continued evolution. The course is about rocks and minerals, but it is also about the drifting of continents, about vast expanses of time that make human history seem insignificant, about slowly changing sea levels and violent earthquakes. We hope to show you how such an apparently dull object as a stone can be a window to the past, or a signpost to future vital resources.

Required textbook: Press and Seiver, Understanding Earth , Freeman and Co. 3rd Edition,
Recommended: Kresnan, Mencke and Bingham, Study guide for Understanding Earth. Freeman and Co., 3rd edition

Web preparation

This is a web-assisted course. Important information will be posted here, including notes (see below). The text has a web site at : www.whfreeman.com/presssiever which has practice tests and other supplemental material. The text also has a Mac/Windows compatible CD that is well worth running as it has virtual field trips that re-inforce te material in the class.

I will also communicate with you regularly through your university email address. This address consists of your first initial. the first four letters of your family name and a three digit number (eg. jsmit003@fiu.edu). If you do not know your FIU email address go to webmail.fiu.edu. The message sent are important and may contain information on how to gain some bonus points, so check your email at least one a week !!!

Geographic preparation

As this course concerns the study if the Earth it is necessary to refer to specific localities where examples of certain features are found. If you do not know where Iceland, the Amazon river etc. are then you must look up these localities in an atlas. Each exam will contain a bonus geography questions where you will be asked to locate Several places mentioned in the course on a blank map of the world.

How to study for this course

Remember that the standard formula for college study is that for every classroom hour you should put in at least two hours outside of class. For a 3 hour course in a normal semester, this means that you should be spending at least 6 hours per week outside of class doing reading, re-writing notes, working in study groups, working with the web site, CD -ROM etc.

1. Read the relevant chapters in Press and Seiver briefly before the lecture. . You are responsible material in the text unless I specifically tell you that a chapter or part of a chapter is not assigned.

2. Download the notes (see below) for the relevant lecture, paste them into a word processing program and space them out so that you can add your own notes from the lecture.

3. Attend class and take notes in class. Make notes on the concepts that I am talking about. Listen to what I am saying. The powerpoint text slides are just "subtitles" to what I am saying, so don't try to copy every word.

4. After class, re-read the chapter, add to, or re-write your notes to supplement those points that were not clear to you. Use the CD-ROM and by all means surf the internet for related material.

5. Start your review of material at least 1 week before an exam, not the night before. Do not pull "all nighters" before an exam. This is a panic measure, and the material is not retained. Also if you are tired, you simply cannot think straight.

Grading

This course will tested by having two mid term and one final examination, These will contribute to your final score as follows:

Mid-Term Exam 1 30%

Mid Term Exam 2 30%

Final Exam (comprehensive) 40%

Total 100%

Grades will usually correspond to the following percentages:

A >85%

B 75-84%

C 65-74%

D 55-64%

F <55%

However, I reserve to right to adjust this scale depending on the distribution of the final scores.

No "extra credit" will be available except the bonus point options offered through the email. I don't believe in more extra credit (it is more work for me!). Don't even ask.

If you want to know your final exam results and overall grade before it is available on FIU's web site, leave a stamped, self-addressed envelope with me at the final exam.

Attendance, Punctuality, Cell Phones and Beepers

I will cover some material not in the text therefore you need to attend class. Anyway, if you miss class you have thrown away about $24 (Fl resident) or $88 (non-Fl resident). Not too clever. Do you buy tickets to the movies and then not go?

·Be on time for class. Anyone can have trouble finding a parking spot, but there is no excuse for being habitually 15 minutes late (you also lost $1.20 of education). Barging into class late disturbs your colleagues.

· Turn your cell phone, or beeper, off.

Topics, notes and links

Textbook web site: www.whfreeman.com/presssiever

Note. To read the pdf notes you need ADOBE ACROBAT READER which can be ownloaded free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Wind circulation, tornadoes, hurricanes | notes | pdf notes |

Chap 22 Energy and Mineral Resources | notes | pdf notes |

Mid-Term Exam 1	30%
Mid Term Exam 2	30%
Final Exam (comprehensive)	40%
Total	100%