Course Syllabus – Spring 2003

Instructor: Thomas Van Biersel (vanbierselt1@southernct.edu)

Office/Phone: Morrill 214C/(203) 392-5842

Office Hours: TR 4:00-5:30 and MW 11:00-12:00 (or by appointment)

Tentative Schedule

Date	Lecture	Topic	Reading	Lab	Exercise
1/22	1	Introduction to Astronomy	Preface	1/21	Introduction to Earth Science
1/27	2	Planetary Motion & the Seasons	Chapter 19
1/29	3	The Solar System: Earth & Moon	Chapter 19	1/28	Measurements
2/3	4	The Solar System: Terrestrial	Chapter 20
2/5	5	The Solar System: Jovian & Sun	Chapter 20	2/4	Horizon system
2/10	6	Astronomical Observations	Chapter 21
2/12	7	The Star System	Chapter 22	2/11	Celestial coordinates
2/17		No Class – Presidents’ Birthdays
2/19		Lecture Exam I		2/18	Insolation and seasons
2/24	8	Introduction to Meteorology	Chapter 14
2/26	9	Origin & Comp. of the Atmosphere	Chapter 14	2/25	Weather instruments
3/3	10	Structure of the Atmosphere	Chapter 14
3/5	11	Water in the Atmosphere	Chapter 15	3/4	Weather maps
3/10	12	Atmospheric Circulation	Chapter 16
3/12	13	Severe Weather	Chapter 17	3/11	Topographic maps
3/17		Lecture Exam II
3/19	14	Introduction to Geology	Chapter 14	3/18	Minerals
3/24		Spring Recess
3/26		Spring Recess		3/25	Spring Recess
3/31	15	Elements & Minerals	Chapter 1
4/2	16	Rock Cycle	Chapter 2	4/1	Rocks (igneous)
4/7	17	Rock Cycle	Chapter 2
4/9	18	Geologic Processes	Chapter 3	4/8	Rocks (sed. and metamorphic)
4/14	19	Earth Interior and Earthquakes	Chapter 6
4/16		Lecture Exam III		4/14	Earthquakes
4/21	20	Introduction to Oceanography	Chapter 12
4/23	21	Origin & Properties of Seawater	Chapter 12	4/22	Salinity and density
4/28	22	Seafloor	Chapter 12
4/30	23	Plate Tectonic	Chapter 7	4/27	Tides
5/5	24	Ocean Currents and Circulation	Chapter 13
5/7	25	Waves & Coastline	Chapter 13	5/6	Ocean floor
5/12		Lecture Exam IV (12:45-2:45)

Topic: The sciences pertaining to the earth and its place in the universe. Major aspects of geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy are considered.

"the earth is not finished, but is now being, and will forevermore be re-made”

Charles Richard Van Hise

Required Texts: Earth Sciences by Tarbuk & Lutgen (Pearson Education)

Introduction to Earth Sciences ESC 110 Lab Manual by Drobnyk & Others (Southern Connecticut State University)

Grade: The final grade will be based on the following:

ð four one-hour lecture exams (15% each)

ð five in class short quizzes based on current events (2% each)

ð lab exercises (30%)

No make-up exams, quizzes or exercises will be given (unless for documented medical reasons in accordance with university policies). Exams will not be returned to the student but can be viewed during the instructor’s office hours

Note: This syllabus is meant to be a guide to the topics that will be covered in this course. Coverage of individual topics and exam dates may be adjusted during the semester; any changes will be announced in class.

Attendance: There will be no make-up labs or lectures. It is the student’s responsibility to attend all scheduled lectures or to make other prior arrangements with the instructor. Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Any three unapproved absence from lab will result in one letter grade penalty. No late work will be accepted. No “Extra Credit” will be given.

Policies: Students are expected to behave in accordance with the SCSU Student Code of Conduct.

Students with Disabilities: As a student with a disability, before you may receive course accommodations in this class, you will need to make an appointment with the Disability Resource Office located in EN 15 to arrange for approved accommodations. However, if you have other information you would like to speak with me about, such as emergency medical information, or arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment as soon as possible.