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Earth System History (203-0-01)

Instructors

Daniel Ethan Horton
847/467-6185
Tech F289/F290
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1-2pm

Meeting Info

Tech Institute Lecture Room 2: Mon, Wed, Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

Overview of class

This course covers the evolution of the Earth's dynamic systems and its record through geologic time. Emphasis of this course is centered on the physical, chemical and biological components of the Earth system that interact to regulate Earth's surface environment and how these processes have changed through time.

Topics include the systems approach to Earth science, the co evolution of life and Earth's surface environment, the carbon cycle and its relationship to climate, Snowball Earth events, and mass extinctions.

Registration Requirements

PRE-REGISTRATION: All Earth & Environmental Sciences majors/minors

REGULAR REGISTRATION: Priority enrollment will go to first-years and sophomores. There are 40 seats reserved for seniors and 40 seats reserved for juniors.

If you are unable to register, please sign up on our departmental waitlist here: https://bit.ly/EARTH-203-Fall-2024. We do not use the Caesar waitlist for this course. In order to be considered, you must fill out the questionnaire on the departmental waitlist. We do not choose students based on their waitlist order.

Learning Objectives

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental components of the Earth system—the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and solid Earth—and examine how these components have interacted to regulate Earth's surface environment through geologic time.

Teaching Method

Three 50 minutes lectures per week.

Evaluation Method

Testing consists of three exams.

Class Materials (Required)

Readings will be posted on Canvas.

Class Notes

Priority enrollment will go to first-years and sophomores. Please sign up on our departmental waitlist here: https://bit.ly/EARTH-203-Fall-2024 if you are unable to register for the course. We do not use the Caesar waitlist for this course. In order to be considered, you must fill out the questionnaire on the departmental waitlist. We do not choose students based on their waitlist order.

Class Attributes

Natural Sciences Foundational Discipline
Natural Sciences Distro Area