P h y s i c s 141
Introduction to Earth Science: Atmosphere,
Ocean and Environment
Washington College, Spring 2006 Daly 207 T-Th 10:00-11:15 am LABS MEET IN THE TOLL SCIENCE CENTER ROOM S205 Unless otherwise announced. 141-10 LAB WED.1:30-4:20 141-11 LAB THU. 1:00-3:45 |
Instructor: Ken Noble Office Hours: Tue-Thu. 9:15-10:00 and 11:30-12:15
or by appointment. Office Location: Trailer 6-C Telephone: x-7711 Email: knoble2@washcoll.edu I live two blocks from
campus and may be available on short notice at other times. Please do not hesitate to ask me for
assistance at any time. I
will give you my cell phone number in class. |
Introduction:
The planet Earth is characterized by complex interactions between lithosphere
(solid earth), atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Earth science is concerned with understanding how these
systems evolve through time and how they exchange matter and energy. PHY 141 focuses on Earth surface
systems, which include the hydrosphere and atmosphere. The course also includes an
introduction to plate tectonics. This course contains a laboratory component
providing hands on experience in scientific methods including hypothesis
development and testing. We
will learn basic concepts of the development and function of Earth
systems. A significant
effort is expected on a research issue of the studentÕs choice.
Goals:
Students
in PHY 141 will
„ learn how geologists, atmospheric
scientists, oceanographers and related scientists think about the earth.
*
appreciate geologic time frames and astronomical space.
„
increase their capacity for independent learning.
„ gain exposure to tools and methods that are
important for scientific inquiry, including quantitative reasoning,
experimentation, computation and literature research
„ LEARN THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, especially as it
pertains to our planet.
Text: Earth: Portrait of a Planet by Marshak, 2nd edition. In Suspect Terrain, John McPhee
Course
Schedule:
Part
1: Overview of the Earth: The
Lithosphere
Text
Covered: Appendix A, Prelude, Chapters 1-6
Topics:
„
Building blocks of matter and fundamental forces
„
Overview of the Solar System and its place in the universe
„
Birth of the Earth
„
A first look at EarthÕs systems, composition and structure
„
EarthÕs evolving surface
„
Understanding plate tectonics
„
Rocks and Minerals.
Part
2: The Hydrosphere
Text
Covered: Interlude E, Chapters 17-19
Topics:
„
The hydrologic cycle
„
Water as a resource
„
Stream processes
„
Ocean-climate connection
„
Groundwater
In
Suspect Terrain. Chapter Two.
Part
3: The Atmosphere and Climate
Text
Covered: Chapters 20, 22, 23
Topics:
„
Structure of the atmosphere
„
Atmospheric circulation and weather
„
Climate change and glacial cycles
„
Global warming
„
Future of Earth
RESEARCH
TOPIC PAPER DUE 3-May
Comprehensive
Final Exam during exam week.
Notes
on syllabus
(1)
The listed topics are
meant to serve as a guide for the material we plan to cover during the
semester.
(2)
The book IN SUSPECT
TERRAIN will be used in addition to our text. John McPhee has written some of the most approachable prose
pertinent to Earth Sciences.
We will diverge from our textbook occasionally to discuss this
book. Students are encouraged to
consider subject matter covered by McPhee for their research paper.
(3)
Reading assignments
will generally be given in class and should be completed before the next
lecture. Occasionally
supplementary reading material will be used. Due to time constraints, not all of the topics discussed
in the text will be covered in the lecture. On exams, you will only be responsible for material
that we cover in labs or in the lecture.
(4)
The laboratory is a
separate component of the course and will use its own syllabus.
(5)
Exams will emphasize
material covered in class or in lab.
A short review session will occur before each exam. No lecture time will be used to discuss
exams.
(6)
You are responsible for
the material covered in each class whether you are present or not.
(7)
Finally, and most
importantly, this syllabus is subject to change at the instructorÕs discretion
for the purposes of improving the class.
Students will be notified of any and all changes, and will receive an updated
syllabus when appropriate.
The
course grade consists of FOUR components: exams, paper, exercises and labs.
(1)
EXAMS. Exams
are worth 40% of your lecture grade. This course has two in-class exams
during the semester and a final. Each is weighted equally. The final is
comprehensive. Your overall exam score is based on the highest score from
either exams taken during the semester and your final. (Best 2 out of 3)
(2)
RESEARCH PAPER.
Worth 20% or your lecture grade. An eight-page research paper is due
during exam week. This will be
your own work on a topic either suggested by current events, the history of
Earth Sciences, class discussion, Earth Science topic of interest in the
Mid-Atlantic region. This is
not to be a simple INTERNET SEARCHÉat least one major document must be retrieved through interlibrary
loan, periodical retrSTUDENTS MAY BE ASSIGNED AN ORAL PRESENTATION DATE FOR
THEIR RESEARCH TOPIC AFTER SPRING BREAK. For those pursuing a career in teaching, special
consideration will be given for the development of lesson plans or laboratories
in lieu of a research paper.
(3)
EXERCISES. Exercises
are worth 15% of your lecture grade. Several exercises, writing assignments
and short quizzes will be administered throughout the semester. An effort will made by the
lecturer to link these exercises to the development of the research paper. These
assignments may also reinforce the lecture material and help you to prepare for
exams. Out of class
assignments will have established due dates. These will be due at the beginning of the lecture.
No late submissions will be accepted for any reason. Occasionally unannounced, in-class
exercises or writing assignments will be performed. If you are absent on these days, you will receive no credit
for that assignment; no makeup policy is in effect. A small amount of extra credit work will be made available
to students throughout the semester.
Students should take advantage of these opportunities, but not rely on
them to Ōsalvage their gradeÕ.
Unless otherwise notified, students should complete out of class
exercises individually. Evidence
of plagiarism will result in lack of credit for that assignment.
(4) Labs.
The labs are worth 25% of your lecture grade.
Introduction. This laboratory is designed to complement the Introduction to Earth
Science lecture course by providing opportunities for in-class scientific
problem solving, hands on experimentation, and occasional fieldwork. Experimentation and measurement are key
aspects of the scientific method.
An emphasis of this class will be exploring concepts that are important
to observational and experimental science, including measurement uncertainty,
basic statistics, and data analysis.
Text
and Lab Reports. Each laboratory
activity will be described in a written handout, which will be given to
students at the beginning of each lab meeting. Each lab will require that a set or series of specific
exercises be completed. Students
will complete a laboratory report at the conclusion of each laboratory
exercise. The nature of the laboratory reports will vary from lab to lab. The requirements for each laboratory
report will be clearly specified.
(4) Mathematics, physics, chemistry and foreign
language requirements.
This course satisfies an elementary level science
distribution and only a simple level of understanding of the basic sciences is
required. We may occasionally see
some equations that include integrals and derivatives, but you will not be
expected to perform these functions. Likewise, basic trigonometric functions may be
encountered, but I will NOT test you on this. Certainly the intention is NOT to scare anyone or to
deter them from an interest in the methods and tenets on science. It sincerely hoped that exposure
to math, physics and chemistry will inspire you to further explore these and
other wondrous fields. This
course DOES require a willingness to think and estimate. Please have a multi-function calculator
available, especially for lab. We
will use the Math resource center here at Washington College. The lecturer recognizes the
diverse expertise that the WC student body represents and he also knows that
Earth Scientists come in a variety of packages.
We may similarly encounter journal articles in
foreign languages. As with
the math, I do not expect you to be fluent in any of these, but I DO EXPECT an
open mind and a willingness to expose yourself to other languages if we
encounter them. It is very
important for those working on global issues to be receptive to research in all
languages. I also hope that this
exposure sparks and interest in further study here at Washington College or
elsewhere.
(7) Attendance.
This is your college education. It only happens once. DonÕt waste your time or mine. FOR EACH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE I MAY REDUCE
YOUR FINAL GRADE BY FIVE PERCENT.
Athletes or artists with a conflicting event must meet with me and
remind me. Quizzes may occur at
any time and these cannot be made up.
A Student Health Service note must accompany legitimate medically
excused absences.
If an exam date conflicts with a religious holiday
that you observe, your participation in a mandatory school-sponsored event,
athletics, or a wedding or other important family engagement, please notify
the instructor at least two weeks before the scheduled exam.
Un-planned absences on the day of an exam
Exam attendance is
mandatory. Unplanned absences on an
exam day are permissible only in instances of medical emergency (or other
events that rise to a similar level of urgency.) Students must supply some proof that their inability to take
the exam resulted from an unforeseen event, such as severe illness. Proof typically takes the form of an
official note from a physician, or something comparable. Unlike the regularly scheduled exams,
makeup exams will have an essay format.
Makeup exams must be taken within two weeks of the missed exam. Students are responsible for
contacting the instructor to make arrangements to take the makeup exam.