Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - EASC 106 D100

Earth Through Time (3)

Class Number: 2505

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the changes that the Earth has experienced, from its initial formation to the present day, intended for non-majors. Topics include changes in plate tectonic style, mountain building periods, glaciations during Earth history, formation of life, the fossil record and evolution, major extinctions, and the rise of man. Students may not take EASC 106 for credit towards EASC major or minor program requirements. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

General: REQUIREMENT DESIGNATION: B-Sci

EASC 106 is an introduction to the 4.6 billion year history of Earth, from its initial formation to the present day. This fascinating story traces the geological and biological events that make up our planet's past, and are recorded in the rock record. Breadth-Science.

Course Topics:
  1. Introduction to Earth System History – deep time & geologic principles
  2. Earth Materials and Features - Minerals, rocks and the rock cycle
  3. Geologic Time – the Geologic Time Scale
  4. Life on Earth and it’s Fossil Record
  5. Biologic Evolution
  6. Interpreting Sedimentary Environments and Global Change
  7. Plate Tectonics in Earth History
  8. Precambrian World (Hadean, Archean & Proterozoic)
  9. Paleozoic World - “Age of Invertebrates” and the End-of-Permian Mass Extinction
  10. Mesozoic World - “Age of Reptiles” and the End-of-Cretaceous Mass Extinction
  11. Cenozoic World - “Age of Mammals” and the Anthropocene

Course Organization: Three 50-minute lectures per week. Lecture participation is expected and comprises a significant portion of the course grade. Participation includes end-of-lecture activities, movie days, in-class exercises, and unit wrap-up exercises.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Reproduce the geologic time scale.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of geologic principles used to analyze Earth history; interpret a sequence of geologic events using relative age-dating concepts, maps, cross sections, and stratigraphic sections.
  • Demonstrate knowledge about the evolution of life on Earth.
  • Understand how life on Earth dramatically changed during and following mass extinction events.
  • Identify key invertebrate fossil groups, types of fossil preservation, and use fossils to refine interpretations of Earth history.
  • Demonstrate knowledge about significant mountain-building episodes, glaciations and times of significant sea level rise.
  • Understand how Earth is a system that is ever changing.

Grading

  • End-of-lecture activities & movie days (24x0.25%) 6%
  • In-class Exercises (5x1%) 5%
  • Unit Wrap-up Exercises (4x1%) 4%
  • Geologic Time Scale Quizzes (2x2.5%) 5%
  • Test 1 20%
  • Test 2 20%
  • Test 3 20%
  • Test 4 20%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Course E-Text: (or physical copy)

“Visualizing Earth History”; Babcock, L.E., Wiley, 2009, ISBN:  978-0-470-45251-6

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.