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University of Alberta
EAS 100 – PLANET EARTH
Section B2, Winter 2015
LECTURES:
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE HOURS:
EAS 100 Section B2 (MWF 1200–1250, TB 45)
Dr. Solweig Balzer (ESB 1-16C, 492-0355, [email protected])
Mondays 1000-1100, Tuesdays 1100-1200 and Wednesdays 1030-1130
or by appointment. Emailed questions are welcome.
LABS:
CO-ORDINATOR:
Check your courses timetable for date, time and lab location
David Chesterman (CCIS Lower Level 1-272, 492-8494)
[email protected] contact anytime
REPRESENTATIVE
MATERIALS:
Notes, paper references, exam sample questions, exam formats and lab
information will be posted on eClass. Extra material and selected
diagrams will be posted on http://courses.eas.ualberta.ca/eas100/ under
Balzer
COURSE DESCRIPTION
AND OBJECTIVES:
Introduction to the origin and evolution of the Earth and the solar system;
plate tectonics and the rock cycle; simple energy balances and
interactions between radiation and the atmosphere, oceans, ice masses
and the global hydrological cycle; evolution of life, biogeography and
global climate in the context of geologic time; carbon cycle; human
interaction with the Earth; mineral and energy resources.
The objective of the course is to get an introduction to the basic concepts
in Earth Science course and an overall understanding of the Earth and its
interacting components.
Not available to students with credit in EAS 101, 102 or 201 or SCI 100 (Note: Students with credit in
EAS 201 may take EAS 200.)
LECTURE SCHEDULE (tentative with dates subject to change)
Dates
Jan 5 - 23
Jan 26 –
Feb 6
Feb 9 –
Mar 6
Feb 16-20
Feb 25
Mar 9 - 23
Mar 25 –
Apr 10
Apr 3 and 6
LECTURE TOPICS
Foundation of the Earth: systems, classifications; Earth in space - basic
characteristics of the Earth and other solar system objects; Geological time –
dating, stratigraphic principles, Earth changes through time.
Geosphere: Minerals and rocks – characteristics, formation and classification;
Rock cycle processes and connections; Plate tectonics – types, mechanisms
of movement, geophysical properties.
Hydrosphere: The water planet (surface water, groundwater, snow, ice,
glaciers and oceans) – classifications, landforms, processes, circulation
patterns.
NO class  Family day and reading week
Midterm
Atmosphere: Composition and dynamics of the atmosphere – characteristics,
weather systems, circulation patterns, climate changes.
Biosphere: Biological basics, evolutionary changes through the geological
record, biodiversity and evolution; elemental cycles, resources and
anthropogenic influences on the biosphere.
No classes – Good Friday and Easter Monday, University CLOSED
Chapters
1, 2, 4
3, 5 to 7
8 to 10
11 to 13
14 to 16,
19
REQUIRED:
Textbook:
Lab Kit:
Lab Manual:
Extra materials:
Skinner and Murck, The Blue Planet, 3rd Edition, binder ready or e-text
(E-text available at Special orders desk in University Bookstore)
University Bookstore, lower floor (~$25)
University Bookstore (~$20), EAS 100 Winter 2015 edition REQUIRED
Notepaper, pens, pencils, eraser, a metric ruler and a protractor
are required for the labs.
LABORATORY TOPICS AND SCHEDULE (date of lab topic is approximate)
Lab dates will not change. Attendance at labs is mandatory and a participation mark will be
allocated worth 10%. All lab assignments must be completed in the lab. There is a final lab exam,
which will be administered in your lab section – all lab techniques are testable. You must attend
at the same time and place for each of your labs. Please take careful note of the dates for labs in the
following lab schedule. For laboratory work in this course, the observations you record must be made
individually by you. You must carry out all calculations yourself, and written answers must be in
words composed uniquely by you. A copy of the ‘Don’t Cheat sheet’ is available online at
www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/secretariat/.
Note: First lab will be Maps and topographic profiles. Last lab will be either the Mineral Resource or
MAYBE a walking field trip into the river valley by the Campus, if the weather and trail conditions cooperate, so dress appropriately for the weather! Proper footwear is important.
Week of
Jan 5
LAB TOPIC – TAs will inform their labs if the lab topics change order
NO LABS
Jan 12
NO LABS – Locate your lab room
Jan 19
Maps and topographic profiles
Jan 26
Earth materials: minerals and rocks
Feb 2
Mapping geologic history
Feb 9
The tectonic system
Feb 16
NO LABS this week – Family Day and Reading Week
Feb 23
Water at and beneath the Earth’s surface
Mar 2
Glaciers and glaciations
Mar 9
Solar radiation, atmosphere and oceans
Mar 16
The life and times of planet Earth
Mar 23
Mar 30 –
Apr 2
River Valley Field trip or Mineral resources and the human footprint
Final lab exam for Monday to Thursday labs
(Written in your designated lab section).
COURSE MARK-WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION:
Mid-term exam
20% (February 25, 2015)
Lab participation
10%
Final lab exam
20% (Administered during March 30 – April 2, in your designated lab
section)
Final lecture exam* 50% (April 16, 2015 from 1400–1700, Room TBA)
(Cumulative)
*WARNING: Students must verify the date, time and location on BearTracks, when the Final Lecture
Exam Schedule is posted.
EVALUATION:
Representative material regarding evaluation will be posted on the website. 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 above. A final letter grade will be assigned based
upon your cumulative mark and my analysis of the class’s cumulative mark distribution. 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 in the B- range. The mean grade this year will be based on my
judgment of the overall calibre of this class relative to past cohorts. Be aware, that a total score of
50% or more in the course as a whole will not ensure a passing grade. If said score exceeds
50%, whereas lecture final exam results indicate an inability to master the course content to any
significant degree, the student may be assigned a failing grade. This will occur for anyone whose final
exam score is less than 50%, or such other circumstances that may suggest that a passing grade is
inappropriate. Incomplete lab work may result in a failing grade.
Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
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 must be turned off
during exams and stowed out of site – this INCLUDES calculators, cell phones, mp3 players, iPods,
iPads, laptops, headphones, etc. If you must wear a pager, please notify the instructor. All notes
must be stowed away and out of sight.
MISSED TERM EXAM, LABS OR LAB FINAL:
A student who cannot write a term examination or complete a lab assignment due to incapacitating
illness, severe domestic affliction, religious beliefs or other compelling reasons can apply to write a
deferred midterm exam or lab final exam. Documentation may be required - see Calendar section
23.3 for more information. You must notify the lecture instructor of a missed midterm within 48
hours. You must notify BOTH the lecture instructor and the lab coordinator of a missed lab
final exam within 48 hours.
Students who are granted permission to sit a deferred midterm exam must make suitable
arrangements with the lecture instructor. Students who are granted a deferred lab final exam must sit
the exam before 4 pm on April 10, 2015. Arrangements to write the lab final must be made
with the lab coordinator.
You must notify the lecture instructor, the lab TA and the lab coordinator of a missed lab within 48
hours to allow the lab absence to be excused. All reasonable attempts must be made to make up
missed labs. All lab assignments not completed and submitted will be assigned a 0. Missing even
one lab WILL affect your final grade and performance on the lab final exam.
DEFERRED FINAL LECTURE EXAM: A student who cannot write the final examination due to
incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction, religious beliefs or other compelling reasons can
apply for a deferred final examination. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty
office within 48 hours of the missed examination and must be supported by a Statutory Declaration or
other appropriate documentation (Calendar sections 23.3 and 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. You must notify the instructor that you have applied for a deferred final exam.
Students who are granted permission to sit a deferred final exam must do that on:
Saturday, May 9, 2015, from 1000–1300 hours, room CCIS L1-265
REEXAMINATION: A student who writes the final examination and fails the course may apply for a
reexamination. Reexaminations are rarely granted in the Faculty of Science. These exams are
governed by University (Calendar section 23.5.5) and Faculty of Science Regulations (Calendar
section 192.5.9). Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a reexamination is a serious breach of the Code
of Student Behaviour.
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 http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/Codeof
StudentBehaviour.aspx) 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 Senior
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.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures. Cell phones cannot be brought to
exams.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students who require accommodation in this course due to a
disability are advised to discuss their needs with Specialized Support & Disability Services (2-800
Students’ Union Building, http://www.ssds.ualberta.ca). Please ensure that the required
introduction form is submitted to the course instructor and lab coordinator before January 30,
2015. It is the student’s responsibility to register their midterm and final exam requirements
with SSDS.
Online exam accommodation booking deadline is minimum seven (7) days in advance of the exam
date. SSDS online http://www.ssds.ualberta.ca/en/Online%20Services%20and%20How%20To.aspx
ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for
better time management, study or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2300 Students’ Union Building).
Policy about course outlines can be found in section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
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.
Note: Recording (audio and/or visual) is permitted only with the prior written consent of the instructor,
lab coordinator and lab teaching assistant(s), or if recording is part of an approved accommodation
plan.