SYLLABUS

Introduction to Earth Science ESC-1000,

Spring 2012 (01/05/2012 – 04/26/2012)

Time: Tu/Th 5:40PM – 6:55PM; Sat. 9:00AM—11:45PM

Place: Building 2, Room #2114 &5130

Lecturer: Dr. Anna Wachnicka

Course Description – This course provides a basic survey of geology and the solid earth sciences. Subjects covered include: formation of the solar system and the Earth, plate tectonics, formation and classification of minerals and rocks, geologic time, external and internal processes, earthquakes, volcanoes, surface and ground water.

Course Objectives – Students should leave this course with a solid overview of the geological sciences and their impact on such societal issues such as natural hazards, and mineral and energy resources.

Textbook – McConnell, Steer, Knight, Owens & Park (2010). The Good Earth: Introduction to Earth Science. 2^nd Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, USA.

Contact: – E-mail (preferred): awachnic@mdc.edu; Phone: 305-348-1876;

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:55pm–7:20pm, Room 2114

Course Policies – The course is based mainly on the lectures and the lectures are the primary source of information covered on each exams and quizzes. The topics of the lectures follow the order of topics covered in the textbook, although lectures may include material not covered in the textbook, and the textbook includes material not covered in the lectures.

In the event that students are suspected of classroom cheating, plagiarism, or otherwise misrepresenting their work, they will be subject to procedural due process. The specific steps involved are outlined in Procedure 4035 - Procedure for Dealing with Academic Dishonesty (pg 20) of the MDC Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook: http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf

Attendance – Your attendance at lectures is mandatory and will be checked at the beginning of each lecture.

Exams - There will be 4 exams during the semester: 3 in semester exams and a cumulative final exam. The lowest exam score will be dropped. Exam times do not change unless college classes are cancelled. The format of the exams could be a short answer, a multiple choice test, fill in the blank, true or falls, or a combination of these choices. Points for each exam will be shown in the Grades Table available on www.fiu.edu/~wachnick , listed by the last 4 digits of your MDC ID#. Makeup exams will be given only in extreme circumstances and if you have a valid, documentable proof justifying your absence e.g., a police report for a car accident.

Grades –Your final grade will be based on a total of 400 points:

300 points  - 3 exams (100 point on each exam; 3 Exams = 300 points)

100 points – in class, group (class will be divided into groups), oral presentation (~15 min. long) on any topic related to Earth’s processes (e.g., natural disasters, climate change etc.) given on April 12^th

Extra Credit Points – A total of 40 extra points can be earned during the term by taking quizzes and participating in review sessions. There will be a total of 6 quizzes (2 quizzes between each exam) and 3 review sessions prior to final examination. Each quiz will be worth 3 points (3 points *6 quizzes = 18 extra points) and each review will be worth either 7 or 8 points (2 reviews * 7 points = 14 and final review * 8 points = 8points; a total number of extra points from the reviews = 22 points).  Quizzes can be given at any time during a lecture and will cover past lectures. Points earned for each pop quiz and review session will be shown in the Grades Table available on www.fiu.edu/~wachnick , listed by the last 4 digits of your MDC ID#. There are no makeup quizzes.

Final grades - Grades are based on standard percentages of correct answers and total points for the term:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the link to download class material: LECTURES