SCI 102 Earth Science

Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa . Earth Science; 15th Edition.
ISBN: 10: 0321688503
ISBN-13: 9780321688507

Students can obtain this text book from the following source:
1)https://www.pearson.com/store/p/earth-science/P100002920303/9780135213216

https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Science-14th-Edward-Tarbuck/dp/0321928091

All reading and (optional) homework assignments referenced in this syllabus refer to this text

2) In addition, it is recommended that students have access to Mastering Geology®, by Pearson.
This can be accessed here: https://www.pearson.com/store/p/earth-science/P100002920303/9780135213216

3) The following study guide will be made available upon enrollment:
Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa . PowerPoint Presentation for Earth Science; 14th Edition.

Lesson Overview

Lesson 1: Introduction to Earth Science
Read Chapter 1

In this lesson, the students will get a general introduction to Earth Science and overview of the textbook. The students study different theories about the earth’s origin and the basic principles if scientific method and scientific inquiry. The students study how to approach questions about conservationism and other environmental issues from a scientific perspective.

Lesson 2: Matter and Minerals
Read Chapter 2

In this lesson, the students study the concept of matter in general and explain the difference between rocks and minerals. The students get a basic understanding of the essentials of chemistry including atoms, elements, and compounds. The students learn out to identify different minerals based on their chemical and physical properties.

Lesson 3: Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth
Read Chapter 3

In this lesson, the students explore the formation of rocks and minerals. The students learn to differentiate between Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The students become familiar with the different ways different types of rocks are formed and learn techniques necessary to be able to classify rocks according to their types.

Lesson 4: Weathering, Soil, and Mass Wasting
Read Chapter 4

In this lesson, the students study the external processes of weathering, mass wasting, and erosion. The students look at both mechanical and chemical weathering. The students investigate soil composition and texture. The students look at the factors that cause soil formation and erosion. The students examine the role of mass wasting in terms of landform development. The students study various controls of mast wasting and their effectiveness. The students learn about earth flow and how ore deposits are formed. The students explore different types of Earth movements including slump, rockslide, and debris flow. The students explore the effects of different flow rates including creep and solifluction.

Lesson 5: Running Water and Groundwater
Read Chapter 5

In this lesson, the students explore the hydrological cycle of the earth. The students explore the effects of streamflow and the work of running water. The students look at drainage basins, river systems, and the factors that control streamflow. The students look at patterns of erosion and drainage patterns of valleys, deltas and natural levees. The students study flooding and flood control. The students study different types of groundwater and its movement, as well as examining its geological and environmental implications.

Lesson 6: Glaciers, Deserts, and Wind
Read Chapter 6

In this lesson, the students learn about different types of glaciers and their movements. The students learn about how glacier erosion creates landforms. The students study different types of glacial drift including moraines, outwash plains and kettles. The students look at drumlins, eskers, and kames. The students study glaciers of the Ice age and what causes glaciations.
In this lesson, the students also learn about deserts and the geological processes of arid climates. The students explore the desert landscape and study wind erosion and wind deposits. The students look at the various types of sand dunes and their formations.

Lesson 7: Plate Tectonics
Read Chapter 7

In this lesson, the students learn about the theory of plate tectonics and continental drift. The students study plate boundaries and the differences between divergent and convergent boundaries. The students study distribution of ocean-basin sediments, hot spots, and paleomagnetism. The students learn how plate motion is measured and the forces that drive plate motion.

Lesson 8: Earthquakes and the earth’s Interior
Read Chapter 8

In this lesson, the students study seismology and the causes of earthquakes. The students learn how to measure the size of an earthquake and to locate its epicenter. The students study seismic vibrations and if earthquakes can be predicted before they happen. The students look at the role of earthquakes in understanding the earth’s interior structure and composition.

Lesson 9: Volcanoes and other Igneous Activity
Read Chapter 9

In this lesson, the students study volcanoes and volcanic eruption. The students learn about viscosity and the factors which affect viscosity. The students learn about lava, magma and pyroclastic materials. The students study different volcanic structures and types of eruptions. The students learn about shield volcanoes, cinder cones, and composite cones. The students study volcanic landforms such as calderas and basalt plateaus. The students learn how to classify major intrusive igneous bodies such as dikes, sills, laccoliths, and batholiths. The students study the origin of magma and magma compositions. The students look at the relationship between plate tectonics and igneous activity

Lesson 10: Crustal Deformations and Mountain Building
Read Chapter 10

In this lesson, the students learn about crustal deformation and the factors that affect rock strength and rock deformation. The students examine the structures formed by different types of deformations. The students examine ductile deformation and the various types of folds including anticlines, synclines, domes, and basins. The students examine brittle deformation and faults including dip-slip and strike-slip faults. The students study mountain building as a result of convergent boundaries and look at subduction, continental collisions, and accretion of terranes. The students study the concept of isostasy and the variations in topography.

Lesson 11: The Atmosphere: Composition, Structure, and Temperature
Read Chapter 16

In this lesson, the students are introduced to the science of meteorology and weather prediction. The students learn about the major components of the earth’s atmosphere and study the issue of ozone depletion. The students study the factors that determine a given quantity of solar radiation absorption. The students look at how the motion of the earth affects seasonal changes. The students study the factors that cause variations in temperature and temperature measurement procedures. The students learn about factors that determine land and water temperatures such as altitude, geographic position, cloud cover, and albedo. The students conclude with a study on of the world distribution of surface temperatures.

Lesson 12: Moisture, Clouds, and Precipitation

Read Chapter 17

In this lesson, the students study the role of water in Earth science. The students study the physical properties of water and the ability of water to store and release latent heat. The students study the concept of humidity and the relationships between temperature, vapor pressure, mixing ratio, relative humidity, and dew-point temperature. The students look at fog, dew, and cloud formation and examine the adiabatic process. The students look at the different processes that lift air such as orographical lifting, frontal wedging, and conversion. The students study atmospheric stability and precipitation. The students look at the different types of precipitation and how the students can use radar for measurement and prediction.

Lesson 13: Air Pressure and Wind
Read Chapter 18

In this lesson, the students learn about air pressure and how it is measured. The students study wind and the factors that affect it such as the pressure gradient force, the Coriolis Effect, and friction. The students learn about cyclones and anticyclones and their relationship to weather patterns. The students study atmospheric circulation in the midlatitudes and the westerlies. The students look at local winds such as land and sea breezes as well as other breezes. The students study the various methods of wind measurement and the relationship between precipitation and pressure belts.

Lesson 14: Weather patterns and severe storms
Read Chapter 19

In this lesson, the students learn about air masses and their source regions. The students study the idea of weather fronts including warm, cold, stationary and occluded fronts. The students study the evolution of the middle-latitude cyclone and its idealized weather patterns. The students investigate the role of airflow aloft. The students learn about the stages of thunderstorm development. The students study tornadoes and hurricanes and how to forecast and/or track their movements.

Lesson 15: World Climates and Origins of Modern Global Climate Change
Read Chapter 20

In this lesson, the students explore the climate system and climate classification. The students look at the Koppen classification and its five major divisions. The students study the different types of tropical climates and the dry desert climates. The students look at the humid subtropics and the humid continental and subarctic climates. The students also study polar climates and highland climates. The students study the role of human activity and its effects on global climate change including carbon dioxide and trace gas levels. The students study climate feedback mechanisms and if aerosols are instrumental in climate change. The students study global warming and the possible consequences thereof.

The student’s final grade will be based on a final examination. Examination questions will cover all topics covered in the readings. Students will have two hours to complete the final examination.  Students will be assigned a number grade from 0-100. A letter grade will also be issued in accordance with the following scale:

90-100 – A
80-89 – B
70-79 – C
0-69 – non passing