Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - EASC 201 D100

Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (3)

Class Number: 1641

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 26, 2021
    Mon, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    EASC 210 with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the nature, origin and interpretation of stratified earth materials. Principles of lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, the facies concept.

COURSE DETAILS:

General:
The course integrates principles of stratigraphy with principles of process sedimentology in order to develop techniques for the description and interpretation of sedimentary facies, prediction of facies architecture, reconstruction of paleogeography and resolution of depositional history.

Course Topics:
1.  Introduction to sedimentology, including: chemical sedimentation, clastic process sedimentology, basis of flow regime theory, identification and interpretation of physical and biogenic sedimentary structures.

  1. The character of facies, including: the facies concept, the use of facies associations, applications of Walther's Law, development of facies models, and the interpretation of depositional environments.
  2. The character of facies associations in depositional settings ranging from terrestrial to deep-marine environments.
  3. Introduction to stratigraphy, including: stratigraphic principles, lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and chronostratigraphy.
  4. Genetic stratigraphy, including: allostratigraphy, genetic stratigraphic sequences, T-R sequences, and sequence stratigraphy, with an emphasis on relative sea level, base level, eustacy vs. tectonics, systems tracts and depositional environments, and reconstruction of depositional history.

Course Organization:
Two 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour laboratory class per week.

Grading

  • Laboratory Assignments (Atlas 5%, Graphic Lithologs 10%, Cross-Section 10%) 25%
  • Mid-term Theory Exam 15%
  • Final Laboratory Exam 20%
  • Final Theory Exam 40%

NOTES:

Technology Requirements:

The technology requirements for successfully completing this course include a laptop or computer, webcam, and internet access. High-speed internet access is preferred.  A headset with microphone is ideal. Students should have software sufficient to work with excel spreadsheets, power point files, word files, pdfs, and jpg images. Access to a drafting program (e.g., Adobe Illustrator or Corel) would be ideal, but graphic assignments (e.g., graphic litholog construction) can be done by hand, scanned or photographed and uploaded for grade assessment.

Course Details:

The Spring 2021 offering of EASC 201 is via remote instruction for lectures and some labs. There will be a limited number of face-to-face labs. Students unable or unwilling to participate in face-to-face labs should contact the instructor prior to registering in the course. Dates for face-to-face lab instruction will be provided in the first week of classes. The instructor and the TA will articulate their expectations for assignments and exams at the start of the course.

Lectures: Lectures will be delivered online synchronously via Zoom. PDFs of all Power Point lectures will be stored on CANVAS for students to access and review.  Lectures will constitute 2 hours per week.

Labs: Labs will be blended to include synchronous and asynchronous delivery. Face-to-face labs will be synchronous and run for 3 hours with the TA and instructor present.  Remote lab work for assignments will be a blend of synchronous and asynchronous (i.e., the lab period will have the TA available for assistance online and will run 3 hours; remaining lab work can be done asynchronously, and may constitute an additional 2-3 hours/week). Lab Demos will be delivered synchronously. Demos are typically less than 30 minutes per week.

Office Hours: Instructor and TA will each establish office hours during the first week of classes. Office hours will be delivered synchronously via Zoom or CANVAS Blackboard Collaborate. Office hours will be initially set at 1 hour/week.  Email the TA or instructor for clarification or a request a Zoom meeting if specific issues or concerns arise during the course.

Exams: There will be a midterm lecture exam in this course, delivered remotely on CANVAS.  There will be a Final Laboratory Exam, which will be during the designated lab period, face-to-face, synchronous, and 3 hours long. There will be a Final Theory Exam, which will be synchronous and delivered remotely via CANVAS and 3 hours long.  Dates for the final lab and theory exams are to be determined.

Academic Integrity: Students are reminded that academic integrity lies at the heart of education. All assignments, seminars, term papers, and exams are to be done individually and without outside assistance, except the use of research materials and published literature, expressed in your own words except where quoted and properly cited. Students registered in this course will be required to complete the SFU Library plagiarism tutorial within the first two weeks of classes.

 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Access to the internet; laptop or computer; webcam.

REQUIRED READING:

Boggs, S. Jr. 2012. Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Fifth Edition, Prentice Hall, 584p. 
ISBN: 9780321643186

RECOMMENDED READING:

Students may also find Dalrymple, R. and James, N.P., 2010, Facies Models, Geological Association Canada, St. Johns Nfld to be useful as an additional text.

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 SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment 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. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

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).