C.W. Post
Department of Earth and Environmental Science


Introduction to Earth Science 1
Fall 2006


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Instructor:

Prof. Vic DiVenere

Office:

Pell Hall 229C (knock on 227)

Office Hours:

11:00-11:30 and 2:00-6:00 Tues. or by appointment

Phone:

299-2034

Email:

divenere@liu.edu

HomePage:

Prof. DiVenere HomePage

Textbook:

Earth Science at C.W. Post (first half: Geosystems, by Christopherson)

Department of Earth and Environmental Science:

Room 133 Life Science, 299-2318

 

Course Objectives:  We will study the shape, size, and place of the Earth in the solar system, the varying relationship of the Earth and sun, and how the pattern of solar radiation produces weather and broad scale climate systems on the Earth.

Cell Phones, Pagers, iPods, MP3 players: All cellular phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the classroom.  Anyone text-messaging in class will be considered absent for the day.  Anyone text-messaging during a quiz or exam will be assigned an automatic zero grade.  Anyone wearing earbuds/earphones in class will be considered absent for that day.  Anyone wearing earbuds/earphones during a quiz or exam will be assigned an automatic zero.

Exams and Quizzes:  The lecture grade will be based largely on full midterm and final exams and quizzes.  Short quizzes will be given at the beginning of the period on the dates listed below.  Quizzes 1 and 2 may not be made up but an optional quiz will be given at the end of the last day of class.  Exams may only be made up with a doctor's note.  Makeup exams will be all essay.

Grading:

Lab Grade

25%

 

Quizzes

25%

 

Midterm Exam

25%

 

Final Exam

25%

Attendance and class participation will be noted and may affect your grade (for better or worse).

Important Dates
Sept 26 Quiz 1
Oct 17
Midterm Exam
Nov 7
no classes - Election Day
Nov 14 Quiz 2
Nov 23
no classes - Thanksgiving
Dec 7
last lecture - review - optional Quiz 3
Dec 12-18 Final Exams

  Lecture Topics

 Chapter

Shape and size of the Earth, latitude and longitude, time zones, maps

1

The solar system, energy from the sun, the seasons 2

Earth's atmosphere: layers, composition, temperature, and functional profiles

3

Energy balance in the atmosphere and at the Earth's surface

4

Global temperatures: controls and patterns

5

Atmospheric and oceanic circulation: winds and currents

6

Water, humidity, and clouds

7

Weather: air masses, cyclonic systems, violent weather

8

Global climate systems

10

Climate and vegetation patterns

20