C.W. Post
Department of Earth and Environmental Science
 


Introduction to the Earth
Historical Geology - GLY 2
Spring 2004

Department Home Page
GeoLinks
Class Notes
Library Resources
Lab Syllabus
Course Readings

Instructor:

Dr. Vic DiVenere

Office:

Pell Hall 229C (knock vigorously on 227)

Office Hours:

2:00 to 4:00 Tuesdays or by arrangement

Phone:

299-2034

Email:

divenere@liu.edu

Home Page

Prof. DiVenere HomePage

Department of Earth and Environmental Science:

Room 133 Life Science,
299-2318

Text:

Earth System History, Steven M. Stanley

Lab Manual:

Historical Geology: Interpretations and Applications, Poort and Carlson

Course Objectives:
We will study the history of the Earth and life on Earth with an eye toward understanding the present state of the planet and the dynamic processes that continue to drive the slow evolution of the solid Earth, life, and the environment. Attention will be given to the geologic evidence.

Earth and Environmental Science Student Lounge:
Check out the student lounge in Pell Hall, room 129 E. It is a good place for lunch, studying, etc.

Quizzes:
Short quizzes will be given at the beginning of class on Thursdays covering the assigned readings and/or Tuesday's lecture topics. The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.

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

Cell Phones and Pagers: All cellular phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the classroom.

Grading:

Quizzes

10%

 

Lab Grade

25%

 

Exam 1

20%

 

Exam 2

20%

 

Final Exam

25%

midterm exam dates:
Exam 1: February 19
Exam 2: March 23

other dates of interest:
Feb 17: No Class (Monday classes meet)
Apr 6 & 8: No Class (Spring Break)
Apr 27: Last Day of Class

Topic

Chapter

 

Principles for Understanding Earth History and the Earth Today

 

Earth Climate Zones, Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation

4

Sedimentary Depositional Environments

5

Stratigraphy, Correlation, and Dating of Rocks

6

Evolution, and the Fossil Record

7

Geochemical Cycles and Changing Climate (including global warming)

10

 

History of the Earth

 

Origin of the Earth and life: the Archean Eon

11

Formation of the Continents and the first complex life: The Proterozoic Eon

12

The Supercontinent Pangea, and the explosion of complex life: The Paleozoic Era

13-15

The breakup of Pangea and the Age of the Dinosaurs: The Mesozoic Era

16-17

The Age of Mammals, rise of humans, ice ages and modern climate: The Cenozoic Era

18-20