Instructor: Professor Jeffrey C. Steiner             Rm: J106 Marshak
e-Mail:      steiner@sci.sci.ccny.cuny.edu          Phone:  650-6984
Appnts:     Sadie Barnes  650-6984

EAS106:   MWF 10:25                                   Rm: 925
Text:           The Earth System                       Authors: Kump, Kasting, Crane

Lab Manual: AGI and supplements.

Geology is a study of the manner and timing of the assembly of the earth over time, whereas its sister science, earth system science, focusses on the interactions taking place between the major pieces of the earth (litho-, astheno-, bio-, atmo- (and other) spheres).  This course attempts to strike a balance between these two topics and to apply present-day science to important questions, such as global warming, volcanic hazerds, and etc.  This page is found at this address:

http://www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/%7Esteiner/106newsy.htm

which can be reached from this page:  http://www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/~steiner/Nasa1.htm

Make sure you keep abreast of presentations by following these simple rules:

Earth science is a complex field that integrates elements of chemistry, physics and astronomy.  These resources are also used with isotope data to clarify conditions early-on in earth history, and to model ongoing processes, such as global warming.  To illustrate linkages, earth scientists make extensive use of sketches.  These might be reconstructions of the internal geometry of mountains, illustrations of system relationships, drawings of crystal structure, and etc.  It is important to record and understand diagrams related to coursework.  While many of these are replicated on this site or referenced to other sites, much of the information may be left on the blackboard.  Try to keep these ideas in mind.

1.     Don’t leave class with a misconception.  Stay after class and ask for clarification.

2.     Look at your notes later in the day while you still (hopefully) remember enough to fill in the  blanks.  Its much too late when you are studying for an exam trying to remember why you drew a circle next to a square, or a mountain with smoke coming out the top.

3.     Redraw sketches to that they mean something later on.  Memorize definitions (carry a 3x5 card along with you and read them over and over).

4.     Be sure to attend CCAP review sessions.

(Lecture Schedule is tentative – room is left at the end for expansion and/or additions)

 Earth System Science: Syllabus.
The intended progression of the course is laid bare in this outline.  Note that topics are linked to book chapters, but the  book sequence is not followed.  Also note the Supplements.  These are handouts that are an integral part of the course.  The Supplement link is back one page.  Exam and other information follows the syllabus.

I.  Introduction

1. Introduction
1. Layout of the Course  {lec 1}

2. Geoscience (Astrogeology, Includes Planetology – Origin of the Universe/Solar system; Astrobiology – Origin of Life)
1. Big Bang – Creation of the Elements {lec 2; Ch. 10; Supplement 1}
2. Assembling Planet Earth {lec 3; Ch. 7}

3. Earth Systems
1. Gobal Change {lec 5; Ch. 1}

2. Self-Assembling Systems {lec 6; Supplement 3}

3. Steady State, Chaos, Catastrophic Theory, Uniformitariansism

4. System Science:  Deep Earth System
1. System Science

2. Background: Tectonics and Volcanoes {lec 9-11; Supplement 4}

3. Earth structure

5. System Science: Ocean Systems
1. Chemical Engine – transfer of material between major reservoirs

2. Physical Engine – transfer of energy within major reservoirs

3. Coastal systems
5. System Science: Atmosphere
1. Origin of the atmosphere {lec 18; Ch 11}
2. Global warming and the atmosphere {lec 19; Ch. 3}
3. Atmospheric Circulation {lec 20; Ch. 4}
4. Hurricanes {lec 20}
5. LIDAR sensing {lec 21}
6. Where is the sunshine {lec 22}

                                                    i.     Solar Cell Experiments

7. System Science:  Atmosphere-Rock interactions {lec 23-25; Supplement 5}
1. Lithospheric plates, mountains and climate 
2. Weathering and climate
3. River dynamics and weathering {lec 26}
4. Geomorphology {lec 27; Supplement 6}
5. Weathering and mantle flow Lec 28-30}
8. System Science: Atmosphere-Ocean interactions
1. Southern Ocillation {lec 31-33}
2. El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO; Ch. 9; Ch 15)
3. Ice Ages

                                                    i.     Mr. Glacier {lec 34}

                                                  ii.     Causes of ice ages {lec 35}

                                                iii.     Warning from the ice {lec 36}

                                                iv.     Snowball earth {lec 37; Supplement 7}

9. Gobal Warming {lec 38-39; Ch. 16}
10.   Ozone Depletion {lec 40; Ch. 17}
11.   Climate Stability or Evolution (TBA)

ATTENDANCE

Laboratory attendance is mandatory.  An unexcused absence from 1 laboratory  is grounds for dropping.  All laboratories must be completed.  The laboratory grading is in the hands of the laboratory instructor.  Three unexcused absences constitute the basis for a drop from lecture.  We monitor lecture using either photos or signup sheets. Be sure to check for a signup sheet.

Lecture attendance is  also mandatory and is considered part of your classroom contribution.

CLASS ROOM CONTRIBUTION MAY BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT; it can constitute up to 15% of the total grain.  The contribution can be negative, e.g. a person may not receive éxtra'credit if an exam is adjusted.