Earth Sciences 100

Planet Earth: How it Works

Ozeas Costa

Credit hours: 5
GEC categories: Natural Science (Physical Science). Sequences: 100-203, 100-206, 100-210
Prerequisites: None

Text Books:

Example Syllabus: syllabus2.pdf
Website: http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/faculty/ocosta/GS100/GS100.htm

Course Objectives: This course provides a basic introduction to the principles and methods of Earth Science, as well as its relevance to daily life and the problems of the contemporary world, such as the energy crisis and the global environmental change. This course fulfills the learning objectives of the GEC Natural Science requirement and provides a laboratory experience for students. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1: Students explain and recall the basic facts, principles, theories and methods of modern earth science, including: the formation and structure of the earth; principles of plate tectonics; composition of and interrelationship among earth materials; geologic time; hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and floods; the hydrologic cycle; controls on global climate; and human sustainability. Students should be able to describe how the earth operates as a system and apply the scientific method. This fulfills the first objective of the GEC Natural Science requirement: Students understand the basic facts, principles, theories and methods of modern science. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2: Students describe and explain the significance of key events in the history of earth science, especially pertaining to the development of plate tectonic theory. Students should also learn key events in the geological, hydrological, atmospheric and biological history of the earth. This fulfills the second objective of the GEC Natural Science requirement: Students learn key events in the history of science. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Students will be able to discuss the inter-dependence of scientific and technological developments in measuring and modeling physical and chemical aspects of the earth and environment. This fulfills the third objective of the GEC Natural Science requirement: Students provide examples of the inter-dependence of scientific and technological developments. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4: Students will explain the ways in which aspects of earth science impact society. Students should be able to describe the relationship between science and societal decision-making pertaining to natural hazards, natural resources, global climate and human sustainability. This fulfills the four objective of the GEC Natural Science requirement: Students discuss social and philosophical implications of scientific discoveries and understand the potential of science and technology to address problems of the contemporary world.

Course Content: "Planet Earth: How it Works" is an introductory course describing the fundamental concepts of Geology for Science and non-Science majors. It contains 31 lessons grouped in 8 modules. Module I introduces the science of Geology and its related disciplines. It discusses how geology has changed over the years in response to a greater understanding of the processes that has shaped (and continues to influence) our planet. Module II deals with the formation of the universe, the solar system, and our planet. It also discusses the Earths internal structure. Module III introduces the theory of plate tectonics, a unifying idea that explains the Earths processes. Module IV discusses the Earth materials (minerals and rocks), their structure and classification. Module V will discuss how Earths internal and external processes interact to produce volcanoes, earthquakes and mountain chains. Module VI deals with the Geologic time and how Geologists calculates the age of rocks and of the Earth. It also discusses the evolution of life on the planet from a Geological perspective. Module VII describes the energy and mineral resources that the Earth provides us. Finally, Module VIII discusses how water (and the lack thereof) shapes the face of our planet and help creates a multitude of landforms, from fertile river floodplains to inhospitable deserts of sand and ice.

Method of Presentation: Slide-illustrated lectures supplemented by laboratory activities (2 2-hr cl, 1 2-hr lab).

Method of Evaluation: Two midterm quizzes (15% each), lab reports (30%), final exam (30%), and participation on course activities (10%).

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