GENERAL SCIENCE (GSC) 121 Instructor: Arthur Alt
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES Department of Natural Sciences
(CORE COURSE) Math & Sciences
Office: Physics Lab
Office Hours: As posted or
By appointment
SYLLABUS
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES
I. Objectives of the Course:
This course is designed to reveal the fascination of modern science, including the realms of earth and space sciences, as integrated and expressed through lectures, field experiences, and laboratory exercises. Areas to be included will include the historical perspectives of geology and earth sciences in general, the application of the Scientific Method of inquiry to geological and planetary problems, the range of topics germane to modern earth and space sciences, including investigations into earth structures, planetary developments, differences and similarities between the planets of the solar system, smaller members of the solar system. and the diverse areas encompassing earth and space studies, with side investigations into oceanography and meteorology as appropriate.
The view of knowledge presented is that using several modes of inquiry, including Written Expression and Scientific, with some extra tappings of Historical, Philosophical, and Aesthetic. The instructor will add to the list at his leisure, depending on the particular topics being investigated. The acquisition and discovery of knowledge, as outlined in the Core Curriculum of the General Catalogue, will be emphasized, particularly in regards to analytical and critical thinking, questioning and challenging of derived data and knowledge, identifying major issues and developing alternate solutions based on critical evaluations - this will hold in regards to developing an appreciation of scientific inquiry involving past, present, and future inquiries. In all cases, the learner is the prime motivating factor in this pursuit of truth and knowledge - materials are meant to be challenging, stimulating, thought-provoking, and require the student to become the focus of discovery, pushing the responsibility of learning on his/her shoulders. Since all the students at the university are adults, they will be treated with respect, share in the building of the optional course content, and be allowed to determine, within basic parameters, the grade that will be awarded upon completion.
The primary means of presentation will be lecture-discussion, with a wide variety of hands-on demonstrations of the processes of earth and space sciences, and the application of the Scientific Method of investigation and discovery -as a requirement, students will become familiar with the established tools pertinent to this scientific field. Included, and as a tool for establishing a grade, will be use of visual and graphical aides, in various forms (i.e. slides, overheads, use of computer programs, etc.). Students will be expected to become conversant with the technological capabilities and methodologies of the library system, for use in the papers and graded topics required. Lastly, students will be expected to participate fully in the laboratory exercises designed to complement the topics being covered in the classroom discussions.
Specific Course objectives:
By the end of the course, each student will be expected to be conversant with
a) the scientific method as applied to geological and space sciences topics;
b) the origins and evolution of the major ideas that are represented in 20th century geology and planetary science, particularly those of dynamic, changing planets and the legacy of an extraordinary amount of geologic time;
c) the development and major role of plate tectonics. volcanism, petrology, cratering, and endogenic surface processes as shapers of the solar system, the major forces behind mountain building, continental formation, atmospheres, and planetary evolution;
d) the basic structure and component make-up of the Earth (surface and subsurface, atmosphere, and oceans) and its major differences from the other planets in the solar system, particularly in terms of the weathering elements of water, ice, and wind;
e) the basic rocks and minerals that form the planetary surfaces, including their respective origins, changes, and interactions;
f) the basic tools of the geologist and planetary scientist, including the use of geologic maps, hand-lens, collecting elements, chemical tools, and more sophisticated analytical tools, such as the seismograph, radiation counters; and deep-space investigative instruments;
g) the general structural members of the solar system, including the Sun, their origins and subsequent histories as evidenced by the current scientific data.
II. Required Texts
1. The Solar System - Seeds
2. Exploring Geology - Reynolds
3. Labs passed out in class
III. Course Outline
This lecture-lab course will be structured to cover a host of areas, including physical geology, astrogeology, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, cosmogony, paleontology, oceanography, meteorology, and additional -ologies, -istries, and -ions. The topics listed are the basic ones to be covered - we will cover substantially more than listed here. Laboratories will complement the topic being studied.
Topics Readings/Labs
1. Introductory Earth and Space Sciences and the SS 1
Cosmic Perspective (or Is that all there is?) R 1-2
2. Origins of the Solar System SS 20
(or Just a piece of an alien’s fingernail)
3. Wonders of Planet Earth
1. Famous Minerals of the Worlds R 4
(or A diamond’s not necessarily worth much)
2. Wonders of Rocks R 5-8
(or Buried treasures and pirate booty)
3. Geologic Time and Planetary History R 9
(or 8,021,098,042 days and counting) SS 21
4. Surface Structures, Plate Tectonics, and R 3, 11
Runaway Earthquakes (or Mountain building made easy)
5. Molding the Earth by Oceans and Atmosphere 10, 12-18
(or Running water and blowing hurricanes can be fun!)
4. Marvels of the Solar System
1. Solar Constructions SS 8
(or The ol’ furnace just keeps on chugging) Lab- Sun
2. Airless Worlds of Inner Planets S 22
(or The moon and Mercury are harsh mistresses) Lab - Moon
3. Earth-like Worlds SS 23
(or Hell on Venus, Life on Mars) Lab - Venus, Mars
4. Giants of the Solar System SS 24
(or Roly-poly Jupiter and Saturn) Lab - Jupiter
5. The Outer Worlds SS 25
(or Pluto is not only a doggie)
6. Tiny Bodies of the Solar System SS 26
(or Comets, bringers of life and death) Lab - Comets
5. Planetary Comparisons R 19
(or Each doing his own thing)
1. Planetary interiors and magnetic fields
(or Structured to stand the ravages of ages)
2. Planetary surfaces
(or Cratering and volcanism can be fun)
3. Planetary atmospheres
(or Breathable gases are sure hard to find!)
6. Life in the Solar System SS 27
(or Aliens, aliens everywhere and not a drop to drink) Lab - Alien forms
IV. Grading Scheme with Master Points
Beside each project listed on the next page, whether planetarium trip, essay, problem, etc., there is given a possible score, in Master Points. For example, an essay dealing with a show trip, as discussed before, is worth five Mps, if done correctly, less depending on how it is done. For each project that involves a report, with the exception of a term paper, the length is to be no less than three, no more than five, typed, double-spaced pages. Each should involve parts of two books, which should be listed as references at the end of the paper (one of the books may be your text). The project paper, on a topic of your choosing, with our approval, should be problem-oriented, and of between 8-10 pages in length.
Click for a Project Schedule.
All projects, except as noted, are due the next to last week of class - this is so we will have a chance to return them to you, and let you know where you stand in terms of grades. You can keep your own scores on the accompanying sheet. We use no curve - the breakdown is:
1000 Mps - A
900 Mps - B
700 Mps - C
If you feel you want only a “D”, please see us so we can direct you to another class. Also, if you have done poor work over the term, and end up with, say 250 Mps and decide to screw up the final nicely, we reserve the right to give you an “F” in the class.
Also, note the projects listed are not all inclusive - if you can dream up another idea for study, see us, and we will set a point total for it. Use your imagination in doing your reports - we don’t penalize you for incorrect answers if you can back it up. Finally, note there is a wide range of topics. Please don’t attempt to get all your points from one area - this will not be appreciated, since you are supposed to get a grasp on the entire subject matter. Spread yourself around.
Cheers!
V. Projects
Mind maps - there will be one map/chapter from both text books. Use the two examples at the end of the syllabus as a guide. Be inventive, but be sure your map covers all the important concepts in the chapter in sufficient detail that you could give an hour talk on the chapter from your map. Please note arrows and colorization requirements. This is not an outline! Total points = 350.
Reader Reflection paper – you are to read a book on any topic from earth and/or space sciences (a small topic) and write a 3-5 page paper on the neat science you discovered in the work. Emphasize the material you find fascinating, and why. Due date = 8th week of class. Points = 100.
Research Project – this is a paper, 8-10 pages in length, using 4-5 references, on any topic of your choice involving any topic in this course. It cannot be on a person, or super-generalized – it must contain substance on an important topic in this discipline. Total point value = 100.
Scavenger Hunt – unlike a real hunt, this one will be done in the textbook by Seeds. All answers will be found in that reference. Use the accompanying answer sheet for your answers. The only requirement is to work alone! Due date – last week of class. Total point value = 100.
Lab Identification – using the material passed out in class, your job will be to write up the labs in the form of conceptual maps. There will be 4 labs done, at 25 points each. Due date – last week of class. Total point value = 100.
Final (or set of 20 brief essay questions) – 200 points
In-class projects - to make this class much more fascinating, there will be numerous activities performed during class meetings. These include, but aren’t limited to, games (such as Jeopardy, Science Feud, Football), imaginative drawings, great debates, team challenges, etc. These will go on throughout the semester. Total point value = 200
For all additional work, you may do a total of five (5) projects, essays, etc., for the possible points, due the last class session. Remember, these are totally optional - do what you want, but remember to back up all your ideas with facts and data, not just emotions or feelings (Please note rules of the game on the end sheet, in case you plan to turn work in late, or really mess up the class requirements).
A) Take-home Essays
These essays cover everything we discuss in class, and as discussed in your text. Each essay is worth ten points. As noted, also, use your imagination for additional topics - you aren’t limited to what is written here.
1. How has man’s view of the earth changed over time?
2. How do atoms give us information on the earth’s age and make-up??
3. What are some of the dating techniques available?
4. Describe the possible origins for the solar system.
5. Discuss the possible origins of life.
6. Describe sea floor spreading and continental drift.
7. Your choice.
B) Book Reviews
Each of these is worth 20 points. You aren’t limited to the books listed, but be sure the books you review deal with some form of the material we discuss in class. Take each book, and your text and imagination, and tear it apart, or defend it, in terms of modern science.
1. Eicher - Geologic Time
2.
3. Windley - The Evolving Continents
4. Bloom - The Surface of the Earth
5. Asimov - any of about eighty books
C) Projects
Any of these, up to the maximum possible points listed for each project. As noted, use your imagination for additional topics - you aren’t limited to what is written here.
1. Planetarium trip/museum trip (20 points) - involves going to one of the several planetarium or museum shows around. Visit the show, and review the contents in terms of presentation, factualness, material presented, and knowledge gained. Paper should be 3-5 pages in length, and contain your opinion of the show.
2. Collage (10 points) - for fun, do a detailed collage of one of the topics covered in the course - examples might be planets/earth features/mountains or volcanoes/undersea features/rocks/weird structures on earth/different planets/cratering/volcanism. On the back, put one sheet explaining what you are illustrating in your collage, and how it is reverent to the course.
3. Films (20 points) - there are numerous films on science available from the local video stores, and shown regularly on television. Your task is to take one, review it briefly, with your criticisms as to the manner it was presented. This should include a review of the science used, and the correctness of the material presented.
4. Magazine Review (10 points) - Using one of the major science magazines, review the contents of a single issue, in terms of material presented. Be sure to give your own opinions of the articles, and their value to the layman public. Typical magazines are American Geologist, The Earth, and often Scientific American.
5. Science Fiction Magazine Review (10 points) - Review the contents of a single issue of a SF magazine where the main story is focused on geology.
6. Personalities/Histories (10 points) - for those interested in history or specific personalities, do a bibliographical study of one individual important to one of the field.
7. Collection (50 points) - this entails you making a rock or mineral collection from the various sites either visited on field trips, or collected during your own travels. Involves identification (to the best of your ability), and identification of site locales.
8. Imagination - Any project you can come up with and submit to me can be used (if approval is obtained first!). I will assign points on the basis of your ideas and possible means of undertaking the work.
D) Term Paper (100 points)
With an additional topic of your choice, you can do what you like, as long as it has to do with one of the realms of earth and space sciences. The paper should be 8-10 pages long, with a bibliography attached, of 4-5 references.
E) Sneaky quizzes (various points)
There will be roughly, give or take, five or three quizzes over the course of the term. Since they are usually easy ways to earn extra points (if you’re up on your reading), it behooves you to stay up with the material.