Physics 203-101, Earth in Space

Course Outline (Fall 2009)

KUPF 117

W. 6:00 PM - 8:55 PM

Dr. Slawomir Piatek

Office: T423F

Office Hours: W. 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM & F. 9:00 AM – 10 AM

Phone: (973) 596-3551

e-mail: piatek@physics.rutgers.edu

Personal Website: http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/~piatek

 

Text: The Good Earth: Introduction to Earth Science, 1st edition, by McConnel, Steer, Knight, Owens, & Park; Published by McGraw Hill; ISBN: 978-0-07-301847-8

 

Special Notes:

 

Readings: I have listed the reading assignments below. You should complete the readings before the corresponding lectures.

 

Exams: There will be three in-class exams and a final exam.

 

Exam Schedule:

 

Exam 1: Wednesday, October 7

Exam 1 Key (Correct answers are in green)

Exam 1 Scores (Max = 20)

 

Exam 2: Wednesday, November 4

Exam 2 Key (Correct answers are in green)

Exam 2 Scores (Max = 20)

 

 

Exam 3: Wednesday, December 9

 

Final Exam: Wednesday, December 16, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM, KUPF 117

 

 

100 Sample exam questions

 

Grading: I will determine your final grade based on the three in-class exams and the final exam. Weights: Each in-class exam: 20%; Final: 40%.  Your class grade will be determined using the following grade matrix:

 

            85% -100%   A

            80% -  85%   B+

            70% -  80%   B

            65% -  70%   C+

            50% -  65%   C

            40% -  50%   D

              0% -  40%   F

 

Class Calendar:

 

Lecture 1      (W. 9/2) Introduction and course overview

                        Review: Ch 1 - 3

 

Lecture 2      (W. 9/9) Minerals & Rocks; Rock cycle

                        Read: Ch. 7

 

Lecture 3      (W. 9/16) Weathering, erosion, & soil. Mass wasting.

                        Read: Ch. 9 & 10

 

Lecture 4      (W. 9/23) Streams, lakes, and ground water.

                        Read: Ch. 11 & 12

 

Lecture 5      (W. 9/30) Plate tectonics

                        Read: Ch. 4

 

Lecture 6      (W. 10/7) Catch-up and review. Exam 1 (20 MC Qs, Chs 7, 9 - 12)

                        Review: Chs 7, 9 -12

 

Lecture 7      (W. 10/14) Earthquakes

                        Read: Ch. 5

 

Lecture 8      (W. 10/21) Igneous activity and mountains

                        Read: Ch. 6

 

Lecture 9      (W. 10/28) Geologic time and history of the Earth

                        Read: Ch. 8

 

Lecture 10    (W. 11/4) Catch-up and review. Exam 2 (20 MC Qs, Chs 4 - 6, 8)

                        Review: Chs 4 - 6, 8

 

Lecture 11    (W. 11/11) Oceans

                        Read: Ch. 13

                       

Lecture 12    (W. 11/18) The atmosphere

                        Read: Ch. 14

 

Lecture 13    (W. 12/2) Weather systems and climate

                        Read: Ch. 16 & 16

 

Lecture 14    (W. 12/9) Catch-up and review. Exam 3 (20 MC Qs, Chs 13 - 16)

                        Review: Chs 13 - 16