EAS 100 – PLANET EARTH Section B2, Winter Term, 2011

EAS 100 – PLANET EARTH
Section B2, Winter Term, 2011
LECTURES: EAS 100 Section B2 (MWF 1200–1250, Tory B 45)
INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Nick Harris (T3-123, 492-0356, nharris@ualberta.ca)
Office Hours: Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 5 PM. You may drop in at other
times if I am in my office, and you may email to book an appointment.
LAB CO-ORDINATOR: David Chesterman (T3-34, 492-8494,
david.chesterman@ualberta.ca)
REQUIRED:
Textbook: Skinner, Porter and Botkin, The Blue Planet, 2nd Edition
Lab Kit: University Bookstore, upper floor ~$20
Lab Manual: Available in University Bookstore (~$15)
Additional materials: Notepaper, pens, pencils, eraser, a metric ruler, a protractor
and scientific calculator should be taken to labs. You will also need a small
supply of metric graph paper and several sheets of tracing paper.
USEFUL MATERIAL: Representative material, notes and exam examples are or
will be posted on http://courses.eas.ualberta.ca/eas100/
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to the origin and evolution of the Earth
and the solar system; plate tectonics and the rock cycle; simple energy balances
and interactions between radiation and the atmosphere, oceans, ice masses and
the global hydrological cycle; evolution of life, biogeography and global climate in
the context of geologic time; carbon cycle; human interaction with the Earth;
mineral and energy resources.
Not available to students with credit in EAS 101, 102, or 201 or SCI 100 (Note:
students with credit in EAS 201 may take EAS 200).
COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1) To introduce you to the Earth as a system,
comprising four reservoirs (geosphere[solid Earth materials], hydrosphere [water
and ice], atmosphere [gaseous envelope], and biosphere [life]) that are coupled
to each other. 2) To provide a foundation for future studies in Earth and
Atmospheric Sciences.
PROVISIONAL LECTURE SCHEDULE
Week of
Topic and Relevant readings

Jan 10
Introduction: Scientific method, Systems & Cycles, Principles and
Paradigms (Ch. 1)
17 Earth & Solar System (Ch. 2); Geologic Time (Ch. 8)
24 Earthquakes (Ch. 5); Earth’s Interior (Ch. 2,4,& 5); Plate tectonics
(Ch. 4)
31 Minerals (Ch. 6); Rocks and the Rock Cycle (Ch. 6)
Feb 7
Igneous Rocks (Ch. 7); Weathering and Soils (Ch. 6); Sedimentary
Rocks (Ch. 8); Metamorphic Rocks (Ch. 8)
14 Mid-term; Hydrologic Cycle (Ch. 1&9); Groundwater (Ch. 9)
28 Rivers & Lakes (Ch. 9)
Mar 7 Oceans (Ch. 11)
14 Glaciers (Ch. 10); Atmosphere (Ch. 12)
21 Winds and Storms (Ch. 13); Deserts (Ch. 13)
28 Climate and climate change (Ch. 14)
Apr 4 Biosphere (Ch. 15); History of the Biosphere (Ch. 17)
11 Cycles and the Biosphere (Ch. 1,16,& 20); Resources (Ch. 18)
LABORATORY TOPICS AND SCHEDULE (dates are approximate; see lab
TAs for exact dates for missed labs due to holidays):
Please note: Attendance at labs is mandatory. Each lab is worth 3% of your
total grade. All labs must be completed to pass the course.
Week of LAB TOPIC – TAs will inform their labs if the lab topics change
order
1. Maps and topographic profiles Jan. 24-28
2. Earth materials: minerals and igneous rocks Jan. 31-Feb. 4
3. Mapping geologic history; sediments and strata Feb. 7-11
4. Plate tectonics; metamorphic rocks Feb. 14-18
No labs; Reading Week Feb. 21-25
5. Water at and beneath Earth’s surface Feb. 28-Mar. 4

6. Glaciers and glaciations Mar. 7-11
7. Solar radiation, atmosphere and oceans Mar. 14-18
8. The life and times of planet Earth Mar. 21-25
9. Mineral resources and the human footprint Mar. 28-Apr. 1
10. Field trip: North Saskatchewan River Valley (see *Note)
Apr. 4–8
No labs Apr. 11-13 unless field trip delayed because of weather or train
conditions, AND makeup lab Thursday April 14 (day after classes end)
*Note: Please dress appropriately for the weather on the field trip; proper
footwear (solid shoes or boots) is essential.
** NOTE: ALL labs must be completed and handed in, in order for you to
pass the course! **
** NOTE: Penalties for late labs will be announced in first lab sessions **
GRADES
Course Mark-Weight Distribution:
Mid-term exam 20% (Feb 16, 2011)
Labs 30%
Final exam 50% (tentatively on 26-Apr-2011 (Tuesday) @ 2:00 p.m.)
Representative material regarding evaluation will be posted on the website.
Individual components of the course will be given a numerical mark. The grading
system will be applied using a combination of absolute achievement and relative
standing in the class. Be aware, that a total score of 50% or more in the
course as a whole will not ensure a passing grade. If said score exceeds
50% only by virtue of the lab component, whereas lecture exam results indicate
inability to master the course content to any significant degree, the student may
still be assigned a failing grade. This may occur for anyone whose final exam
score is less than 40%, or such other circumstances as may suggest that a
passing grade is inappropriate.
Exams: Exams are a combination of multiple choice and written answer
questions; specifics are indeterminate at this time. The style of questions is
represented by the sample questions (to be posted).
Electronic devises are NOT permitted during midterm or final examinations. This
includes, but is not limited to the following: cell phones, ipods, headphones, mp3
players, blackberries and programmable calculators. Course notes and
textbooks are also not permitted during exams.

Class Attendance: Attendance is optional, in the sense that it does not
constitute part of your grade. However, you are responsible for mastering all
material conveyed in the assigned reading (textbook), in labs or in lectures, and
you may be tested on any of this material. Not all of the material will be in the
textbook. Also, experience shows that your grasp of the material and
performance on exams will relate directly to your diligence in attending class;
people who skip simply don’t do as well. This is your choice to make; choose
wisely!
If you miss a lecture, you may miss important information on which you can be
tested; so try not to miss lectures, and if you do, get the class notes from a fellow
student.
DEFERRED exam policy: A student who cannot write the midterm examination
due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling
reasons may be granted a deferral (timing to be determined in consultation with
instructor), or an excused absence (very unlikely; weight transferred to the Final
Exam). Applications for deferral of or excused absence from the midterm
examination must be made in writing to the instructor with suitable supporting
documentation (e.g. doctor’s note, statutory declaration, or other as determined
in consultation between student and instructor), within 48 hours of the missed
examination. Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no
guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of
Facts to gain a deferral or excused absence is a serious breach of the Code of
Student Behaviour.
A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness,
severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred
final examination. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty
office within 48 hours of the missed examination and must be supported by a
Statutory Declaration (in lieu of a medical statement form) or other appropriate
documentation (Calendar section 23.5.6). The course instructor does not have
authority to grant deferred final examinations, although they may have input into
the decision to grant a deferred exam. Deferred examinations are a privilege and
not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted.
Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of
the Code of Student Behaviour. Students who are granted permission to sit a
deferred final exam must do that on: Monday, May 2, 2010, from 1000–1200
hours, in Tory 3-50
SPECIALIZED SUPPORT AND DISABILITY SERVICES
Students who require accommodations in this course due to a disability affecting
mobility, vision, hearing, learning, or mental or physical health are advised to
discuss their needs with Specialized Support and Disability Services, 2-800
Students’ Union Building, 492-3381 (phone) or 492-7269 (TTY). Please ensure

that the required forms for exams are submitted to the instructor several days
before the date of the midterms or final.
GFC POLICY ON COURSE OUTLINES
“Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University
Calendar.”
CELL PHONES: Cell phones, Blackberries, iPods and other electronic devices
are to be turned off during lectures and cannot be brought to exams.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic
integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards
regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this
respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the
provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/governance/studentappeals.cfm
and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating,
plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence.
Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or
expulsion from the University.” (GFC AUG 2008)
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Cheating, plagiarism
and misrepresentation of facts are serious offenses. Any offense will be reported
to the Senior Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary
action to be taken. As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on
any examination will include a disciplinary failing grade (no exceptions) and
senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the
University of Alberta.