Summer 2020 - EASC 101 D100

Dynamic Earth (3)

Class Number: 1578

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 21, 2020
    Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Location: TBA

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Origin and character of minerals, rocks, Earth structure, Earth surface processes and plate tectonic theory. Primarily designed to deliver prereq. information to EASC majors/honours and students pursuing degrees in other Departments and Faculties that require a strong foundational course in Earth Science. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

General: REQUIREMENT DESIGNATION: B-Sci

This course provides an introduction to planet Earth - how it formed, how it evolved, how it works, and how we humans engage with it. EASC 101 is an introductory course to the Earth Sciences designed both as a foundation course for Earth Science majors and as a terminal course for those in other disciplines.

Course Topics: With successful completion of EASC 101, a student should be knowledgeable about:
1. Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics

  • Layered structure of the Earth; development of plate tectonic theory; and global and local examples of tectonic settings.  
2. Geologic Processes (Mountain Building, Earthquakes)
  • Stress and strain; joint, faults and folds; analyzing and interpreting geologic structures based on strike and dip info on geologic maps; and orogenesis.
  • Earthquake hazards; measuring earthquakes; and seismology.  
3. Earth Materials (Minerals, Rocks, Sediments, Economic Resources) and the relationship between Earth Materials and Plate Tectonics
  • Minerals and rock identification and classification; magma; the rock cycle; and geologic resources (with a focus on Canadian resources).  4. Geologic Time and Earth History
  • The time perspective in geological investigations; relative and absolute dating; and application of stratigraphic principles to determination of the sequence of geologic events.  
5. Earth Sciences and the Environment (Mass Wasting, Surface Water, Glaciers, Groundwater, Deserts)
  • Types and causes of mass wasting and their mitigation; surface environments and processes (erosion / deposition), and our groundwater resources.  
6. Coastlines and Marine Geology
  • Coastal and marine sediments; active versus passive continental margins; our local plate tectonic setting and that of North America at large.

Course Organization
The summer offering of EASC 101 is via remote instruction (as all other SFU summer courses during the COVID-19 pandemic). We will be using the Canvas platform where you can download lecture PowerPoint slides and follow along with instructor-recorded lectures. Lab topics will be covered using Canvas.  Course assignments will be posted and submitted via Canvas assignments. Examinations will be scheduled via Quizzes on Canvas.

Grading

  • Canvas assignments (number and weighting to be determined)
  • Examinations (number and weighting to be determined)

NOTES:

The summer offering of EASC 101 is via remote instruction

The technology requirements for successfully completing this course include a computer or tablet, reliable internet access, a webcam and SFU Zoom (https://www.sfu.ca/itservices/technical/videoconferencing/zoom.html).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Course Text: E-Book
“Introduction to Physical Geology, Canadian Edition”; Fletcher, C., Gibson, D., Ansdell, K. 2013; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-118-71889-6

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.