Introduction to Earth Sciences, II

EESC V1012y, Spring 2006
(3 points; 4 points with lab)

http://eesc.columbia.edu/courses/v1012

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Columbia University


Syllabus

Lectures: TTh 9-10:30 a.m., Rm. 702 Hamilton.

Instructor: Sidney Hemming, (845) 365-8417 (95-8417 from Morningside campus), sidney@ldeo.columbia.edu.

Office Hours: Th 10:30am-12:30pm, Faculty Lounge, 5th floor Schermerhorn Extension.

Lab: T 4-7pm (Rm. 218 Schermerhorn).

Lab Instructor: Alison Criscitiello, crisciti@ldeo.columbia.edu.

Texts: Brian J. Skinner and Stephen C. Porter, The Dynamic Earth, Wiley.

Goal of Course: To develop an understanding of the processes and events that make Earth the way it is and to learn how to read the record of these processes and events.

Field Trip: Date to be determined (Saturday or Sunday).

Grading: Grades for the 3-point lecture portion of the course will be based on two exams during the term (30% each) and a final (comprehensive) examination (30%), quizzes and exercises (5%), and a field trip (5%). For students enrolled in the lab, the breakdown above holds for the 3 lecture points representing 75% of the final grade, and the 1 point lab represents 25% of the final grade.

Overview of the Course:

Section 1 (Jan 17-Feb 23): Geologic time scale, stratigraphic principles, radiometric dating. First exam - Feb 21.

Section 2 (Feb 28-Apr 4): Surficial processes and formation of sedimentary rocks. Second exam - Apr 4.

Section 3 (Apr 6-Apr 27): Reading the geologic record.