GS105:  Earth System Science                                   Winter 2010

4 credits; no pre-requisite                                          TTH 9-10:20

Instructor:  Sarah Hoover                                         Office Hrs: M 10-11 (P164) 11-12 (P124m); T 11-12 (P124m)

Phone:  503-594-3354                                                                    TH 10:30-11:30 (P124m) 2-4 (P164)

e-mail: sarahh@clackamas.edu                                    Office:  Pauling Center P124m

Required Texts:                                                            Lab:  Pauling Center P164 

    Lecture:  Physical Science, 8th edition, Bill W. Tillery

    Lab:  Scientific Calculator (graphing calculator not required)

 

Web Page: http://depts.clackamas.edu/science/physci/geology/index.htm  This page will be changing throughout the term with course information.  It is YOUR responsibility to check it regularly for assignments and notifications.

MANY CLASS NOTIFICATIONS ARE DONE BY CCC E-MAIL. PLEASE CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT!

 


Course Description: This is an introductory course that looks at the earth and the processes on the earth that relate to the physical sciences.  This course examines the relationships between physics, chemistry and geology as they pertain to our natural world and each other. This is the second course of three but each course is designed to be independent and stand alone.  In this particular course we will examine the geology, physics and chemistry of deep time, radiometric dating, chemical reactions, sedimentary rocks, energy resources, and mass wasting.

 

Student Outcomes: This course is designed so at its completion a student should be able to discuss the organization of the geologic time table, understand the process and limitations of radiometric dating, explain the organization of the periodic table, know how to balance chemical equations, understand basic chemical reactions, solve problems regarding  molarity, recognize sedimentary rocks and describe the environments they form in, discuss different energy resources and limitations of those resources, and discuss mass wasting processes and how they affect the northwest.

 

Grading:  Grading is based on quizzes, a midterm, a final exam, class assignments and lab work

  • Quizzes will emphasize material currently being discussed in class and are to be taken on the dates given in class.  Quizzes will be announced at least one class prior to the quiz date and the lowest quiz score will be dropped. Because the lowest score is dropped, quizzes can not be made up if they are missed.  There will be 4 to 5 quizzes during the term.

 

  • The midterm will cover all material introduced since the beginning of the term.   If the midterm is missed for a legitimate reason it is your responsibility to make it up within one week of the original test date. 

 

  • The final exam will be comprehensive.  NO make-up exams will be administered without at least 5 days prior notice, a good reason, and a signed administrative excuse. 

 

  • Class assignments/participation.  Class assignments will occur periodically throughout the term.  Participation in these assignments and class discussions count as part of your grade.

 

Your grade will be calculated based on the following:

       Quizzes are 20% of your total grade;   Assignments/participation are 10% of your total grade; Midterm is 20% of your   

             total grade;  Final Exam is 25% of your total grade;  Laboratory work is 25% of your total grade

 

       Letter grades will be assigned based on the following total course percents:

                100-90% (A);   89.9-80% (B);   79.9-70% (C);   69.9-60% (D);   <60% (F)             

        (the instructor reserves the right to lower the % distribution if necessary to accommodate a reasonable grade distribution)

 

IMPORTANT…PLEASE READ!!!

Students may exercise the right to drop this class until the end of the 6th week of the term without being held responsible for a grade.  If a student stops attending class prior to or during the sixth week, they will be given a Withdraw for the course unless they communicate to the instructor in writing that they wish for a letter grade.  From the beginning of the 7th week, if a student stops attending class, they will be given a letter grade unless they ask (in writing) for a Withdraw.  Students may ask for a Withdraw from the course (in writing) until the end of the 8th week.  If a student has not asked for a withdraw by the end of the 8th week, they will receive a letter grade for the course.  An incomplete will only be issued when all key components of the course have been completed with the exception of one item.  A student’s accumulated grade to that point must be of a C or better to qualify for an incomplete.  To receive an incomplete you MUST speak with the instructor and submit your request in writing.  If you have chosen a pass/no pass grading option for this course, you must earn a C or better to receive the passing grade.  If you decide to change your grade to a pass/no pass you must do this before the 10th week of the class.  The instructor reserves the right to make exceptions to the terms above on a case by case basis.

 

 Student Honor Policy: Plagiarism and cheating will NOT be tolerated.  While students are encouraged to interact in small groups during class assignments and lab, any cheating or copying will result in a zero for that assignment and may result in consequences at the administrative level.

 

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.

 

Please turn off all cell phones and electronic equipment on entering the classroom.  Cell phones and electronics are NOT to be used in lecture or lab!! 

 

 


Laboratory:  (Hours T 2-4:50 & W 9-11:50)

 

Objectives: This lab is designed to compliment the lecture and will include activities to explore chemistry, rocks, energy, mass wasting and geologic time,

 

Grading:  Grading is based on 8 lab assignments, 4 quizzes and a final exam.  If a quiz or exam is missed for a legitimate reason it is your responsibility to make it up within one week of the original quiz/exam date. 

 

  • You MUST attend the first lab session (during week 1), or your place can be given to another student attempting to add the lab.  You must pass the lab with an average score >60% to pass GS105.

 

  • Lab exercises are to be done in PENCIL and will be turned in each week at the end of your lab period.  Lab assignments will be returned before or during the next lab.  If you work the entire lab period but do not finish the lab, positive consideration will be given toward your lab grade for the day.  However, it is your responsibility to learn the material and be prepared for quizzes and tests even if you don’t finish the labs. It will be helpful to have the course textbook with you during the lab.

 

  • If you miss a lab, it is YOUR responsibility to go over the materials before the next lab period.  THERE ARE NO MAKE UP LABS.   Once the last lab for the week is over (Wed. morning) it is your responsibility to go over the lab with a fellow student and understand the material missed.  DO NOT attend any lab other than the one you registered for unless you get PRIOR approval from the instructor…NO EXCEPTIONS!   One lab can be dropped (you are not penalized for missing one of the labs) but you CAN NOT pass the lab if you miss more than 2 lab meetings. If you attend all 9 labs you can receive extra credit towards your lab grade.  You MUST pass the lab in order to pass the course so try not to miss any of your labs.

 

  • IF YOU ARE MORE THAN 10 MINUTES LATE FOR LAB YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY HAVE 1 POINT DEDUCTED FROM YOUR LAB TOTAL FOR THAT DAY

 

  • IMPORTANT: Your lab grade represents 25% of your total course grade and you must pass the lab with at least 60% of the lab points to pass the class.       

              Lab grade is calculated as follows:  50% from lab work; 30% from quizzes; 20% from Exam

 

 

 

 


Schedule of Topics, Reading Materials, and Lab Exercises for GS105

 

Week   Dates   Lecture Topics (Tentative)                         Reading                  Labs

    1          1/4-          Science, catastrophism, uniformintarianism            Chp 21                          Lab 1: Relative Dating Techniques

                1/8           relative dating and deep time                                                              

     

    2          1/11-        Radiometric dating techniques                                 Chp. 13 p327-337         Lab 2:  Fossils

                1/15         and Isotopes                                                                                                                             

 

    3          1/18 -       Atomic structures, electron configuration                Chp. 8                           Lab 3:  Radiometric Dating

                1/22         COLLEGE CLOSED MON                                                                         QUIZ ON LABS 1 & 2

   

    4          1/25 -       Chem. Formulas, formula weights and                   Chp. 9 & 10                  Lab 4: Physical and Chemical changes                                             

                1/29         periodic table. Chemical  reactions, Molarity          

                                                                                                                                                     

    5          2/01-        Continuation of chemistry                                       Chp. 9 & 10                  Lab 5:  Sedimentary rocks and environment

                2/05         MIDTERM Thur. 2/04                                                                               Chp. 20 p494-497; Chp17 p443-444

                                                                                                                                                      QUIZ ON LABS 3 & 4

                               

    6          2/08-        Mass Wasting                                                         Chp 20 pg 499              Lab 6:  Gravity, acceleration and

                2/12                                                                                         online reading                mass wasting.                                                                   

   

    7          2/15 -       Motion                                                                    Chp. 2                           Lab 7: Force, work, energy and power

                2/19         speed, velocity and acceleration                                                                     QUIZ ON LABS 5 & 6

   

    8          2/22-        Energy and energy resources                                  Chp. 3                           Lab 8:  Town hall on energy resources

                2/26         Thermodynamics                                                     Chp 4 pg104-108                                                              

                                College Closed Thursday                                                                             

 

    9          3/01-        Continue energy resources                                      Chp 3                            Lab 9:  TBA

                3/05                                                                                                                               QUIZ ON LABS 7 & 8

 

    10        3/08-        OPEN                                                                                                           LAB FINAL (ALL LAB MATERIAL)

                3-12                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                           

    11        3/15         FINAL IS TUESDAY March. 16th FROM 10-12 PM  

                3/17         Note…Instructor will be leaving town on March 17 so all finals must be complete by then