C.W. Post
Department of Earth and Environmental Science
 


Honors Core
History of the Earth - GLY 302
Spring 2007

Department Home Page
GLY 301 Homepage
Class Notes
Library Resources
Lab Syllabus
Course Readings

Instructor:

Dr. Vic DiVenere

Office:

Pell Hall 229C (knock vigorously on 227)

Office Hours:

11:00-12:00 and 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, 2nd ed.

Lab Manual:

Historical Geology: Interpretations and Applications, Poort and Carlson, 6th ed.

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.

Short Written Exercises:
Several short written exercises, some in-class, some as homework, will be assigned during the course of the semester - TBA.

Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism will be dealt with severely.  All work presented on exams and written exercises must be your own.  Any written passages not in your own words must be in quote marks with the source noted.

Cell Phones and Pagers:
All cell phones, pagers, MP3 players, etc. must be turned off before entering the classroom.

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

Grading:

Lab Grade

25%

Written Exercises

15%

Exam 1

20%

Exam 2

20%

Final Exam
20%

 

Important Dates:
Feb 20 No classes - Presidents Day
Feb 22 Exam 1
Mar 27 Exam 2
Apr 3 & 5 No Classes - Spring Break
May 2 - 8 Final Exams

 

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