| GEOL-0840 |
Earth System Science
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Spring, 2004 |
Instructor: Dr. Michael Ramsey
Office: SRCC, room 501
Office Phone: 412-624-8772
Email: ramsey@ivis.eps.pitt.edu
Office Hours: M from 10:00am - 12:00pm |
T.A.: Barbara Osgood-Kutchko
Office: Thaw Hall, room 207
Office Phone: 412-624-6673
Email: bao13@pitt.edu
Office Hours: W from 1:00pm - 3:00pm |
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Objective:
This introductory science course focuses on the emerging cross-discipline study of the Earth as a "system". The foundation of this approach is the emphasis of the chemical, physical, biological and dynamical processes that extend over spatial scales from microns to the size of planetary orbits, and over time scales of milliseconds to billions of years. Earth Systems Science forms the foundation of understanding for all aspects of anthropogenic global change, focusing on the four spheres of the Earth: hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. The class will provide an overarching interdisciplinary framework, and at the same time retain the depth and breadth of traditional disciplines for understanding fundamentals and complex interactions.
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Required Text: "The Earth System" (Second Edition) by: L.E. Kump, J.F. Kasting & R.G. Crane (Prentice Hall, 2004, ISBN: 0-13-142059-3).
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Meeting Times:
Attendance is strongly encouraged at all scheduled class meetings. Much of the exam material will be derived from my class notes and the recitation. Therefore attendance is beneficial to your grade (hint, hint).
- Lecture: Tu, Th from 2:30pm - 3:20pm in Thaw Hall 11
- Recitation: W from 12:00pm - 12:50pm in Thaw 203
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Course Requirements:
The goal of this course is not to make you memorize an endless stream of
facts that you'll quickly forget after taking the final exam. Rather, this
should be a fun and hands-on science. Knowing the basic fundamentals and
learning to think objectively will give you a framework to appreciate the
landscape around you and understand the natural processes that impact our
lives.
- Exams:
There will be two mid-term
exams and one final exam. All exams will be multiple choice (with the
possibility of several short-answer questions). The mid-terms will
emphasize material covered since the previous exam (in other words,
they are not comprehensive). Questions on the final will draw heavily
on material covered since the second exam, however I reserve the right
to pose questions from throughout the semester. Be aware that material
covered in later chapters relies on the principles of earlier work, so
that everything in Earth System Science is, in fact, comprehensive. You
must bring your Pitt ID with you to all exams. There will be no make-up
exams, no exceptions (see below).
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Writing Assignment:
A 2-page writing assignment will be due on the last day of class: April 15th
Topics and details of this will be handed out on February 26th. This assignment
will comprise 30 points (15%) of your final grade.
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Recitation:
For the first time, this course will have an associated recitation meeting that will be run by the T.A. During this meeting any of the following can occur: clarification of lecture material; quizzes; problem-solving and computer-based exercises; and/or lecture by the T.A. The T.A. will be responsible for grading and assessing your work. Your final score in the recitation will comprise 25% of your final grade for the course.
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Grading:
Your final grade will be based on your performance on the 2 mid-term exams, the final exam, the writing assignment, your recitation grade, and in-class participation. The grade will be calculated based on 200 total points, and you will be allowed to drop the lowest mid-term (you must, however, take the final). For example, if you get a 40/50 and 36/50 points on the mid-terms, 45/50 in recitation, 20/30 points on the writing assignment, 5/10 points for class participation, and 42/60 points on the final, I would drop the 36 and your final score would be:
(40 + 45 + 20 + 5 + 42) = 152 = C
The final letter grades will equate as follows: 200-180: A; 179-160: B;
159-140: C; 139-120: D; <120: F. A few points on either side
of each range will be determine the +/- on the final letter grade. If a curve is needed
(which will most likely be the case) it will be based on the final averages of
the class and therefore not decided until the end of the semester. I curve
based on the average of the entire class, making the median score equal
to a C+/B- and adjusting everyone's grade accordingly. Please don't
ask me what the curve was after each exam!
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Web Site: The site
is located at
http://ivis.eps.pitt.edu/courses/ess/
and will contain the syllabus, announcements and assignments for the class.
I tend to continually revise the class schedule as the semester progresses,
so please check there for the most current class information.
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Cheating:
While I hate to bring up this subject, it is a reality in a lecture course. I
have a zero tolerance level when it comes to cheating on tests! The material
simply is not that difficult. If you are caught cheating by the T.A. or
myself during a test, you will be asked to leave and receive a 0 for that
exam (Period). You are required to bring your student ID (or some other
valid picture ID) in order to turn in an exam. Also, no late comers
will be allowed into the exam once the first person finished has left the
lecture hall. Please don't try to figure out ways to get around this cheating
policy. Rather, spend your time studying!
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Course Web Links:
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