Welcome to PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY GEO - 102. Today’s Goals Discuss course - syllabus Talk about...
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Transcript of Welcome to PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY GEO - 102. Today’s Goals Discuss course - syllabus Talk about...
Dr. Eric Peterson
Office: Felmley Hall Annex 435E-mail: [email protected]: 438-7865Office Hours: 9:00 – 10:00 MW or by appointment
Text
• The Good Earth by McConnell, Steer, Knight, Owens, and Park
• Principles of Geology: A Lab Manualby William E. ShieldsThis manual will be made available for purchase in the
laboratory. You will need to purchase a new copy.
COURSE CONTENT
• Designed for science and non-science majors
• Earth’s Systems– Solid Earth – geological process that create and
modify the Earth’s surface– Hydrosphere and Hydrologic Cycle– The Atmosphere– The Biosphere
COURSE OBJECTIVES
• Understand the role of geology in society and geologic constraints on the utilization of resources
• Understand the Major Principles of Geology
• Understand the interaction between the different systems on the Earth
Class Policies
• Attendance – Mandatory
• Academic Honesty
• Text / Lab Books Required
• Pre-read assigned material
Grading
Exams (best 4 out of 5) 55%
Homework/Quizzes/Participation – in-class exercises and assigned
15%
Lab Grade 30%
100%
How is Science conducted?
• The Scientific Method– process by which scientist answer questions– Observation – Evidence/Data that can be
measured or observed.– Hypothesis – Formation of an explanation of the
observation. An untested idea (See Figure 1.4).• Inductive Reasoning – scientists draw general
conclusions from specific observations
• Deductive Reasoning – scientists draw specific conclusions from general principles or observations
How is Science conducted?• The Scientific Method– continued
– Hypothesis Testing – Designing an experiment that supports your hypothesis.
– Theory –• well-supported explanation withstanding tests by
numerous investigators• Elevated hypothesis• Generally accepted by the scientific community
– Law – • Universally accepted theory• No deviations have ever been observed.• Most certain concept in science
The Scientific Method• Scientific answers are tentative – they can
change• Answers/Explanations are continually
challenged, which causes ideas to be modified or discarded
• Answers/Explanations should be predictable and testable
• Answers/Explanations are based upon observations or experiments and can be reproduced
Earth System Science
• The Earth can be divided into individual parts (systems) to be studied, but it is recognized that each part interacts with many other parts.
• The boundaries of a system can be defined however you want.
• Systems are defined by how energy and matter cross the boundaries.
• Hydrosphere
• Biosphere
• Lithosphere
• Atmosphere
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Earth's Major Systems - the 4 spheres
Hydrosphere
• Total Mass of Water• Covers 71% of Earth’s
surface– 98% is in the oceans– 2% is in streams, lakes,
groundwater, & glaciers
In constant motion – Hydrologic Cycle
Needed for life to evolve and flourish
The Biosphere
• Includes all life– Plants– Animals–
Microorganisms
• Continually in flux– Temperature
– Pressure
– Chemistry
Atmosphere• Envelope of gas around
Earth • Essential for life• Influences weather and
climate patterns• Composition Unique
– 78% nitrogen – 21% oxygen– trace amounts of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases
• 1st atmosphere was carbon dioxide and water vapor
• Oxygen added as a by-product photosynthesis once plants evolved