EARTH SCIENCE
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Harry Williams Office: EESAT 210G Email: HarryF.Williams@unt.edu Class Canvas page: GEOG 1710.005:
access to quiz and exam scores and to reviews and class announcements. You
cannot access lectures or quizzes on Canvas; the class Canvas page does not
include lab grades. Office hours: T, TH 2-4, and by
appointment. COURSE DESCRIPTION: the Earth Science
class is a broad introduction to the study of the physical characteristics of
the earth. It includes the lithosphere (rocks, soil), atmosphere, hydrosphere
(oceans, lakes, rivers, rainfall) and biosphere (plants). The first part of the
course deals mainly with weather and climate. The second part concerns geology
and landforms of rivers, deserts and coasts. COURSE OBJECTIVE: the objective of the
course is to gain a basic understanding of the major features, processes and
interactions of the physical environment of the earth's surface. COURSE GRADE: your grade will be based
on your lab grade, lecture quizzes and lecture exams. LABS: You must be registered for an earth
science lab - the lab is worth 30% of your final grade. Labs give you
hands-on experience on a variety of earth science topics e.g. finding locations
on campus and on a globe, making weather observations, analyzing soils. Teaching,
testing and grading of the lab work is the responsibility of your lab TA
(Teaching Assistant). Labs are 1 hour, 20 minutes and are scheduled in room 390
in the Environmental Science Building (EESAT). Note that every week there are
pre-lab and post-lab assignments to be completed on your lab Canvas page. Labs
begin in week 2, but there are pre-lab activities, so check the lab Canvas
page before attending your first lab. LECTURE QUIZZES: a short quiz follows every lecture. You are
encouraged to take good notes during lectures; you may refer to your notes when
answering the quizzes. The two lowest quiz grades will be dropped. The 25 quizzes
are worth 30% of your final grade (1.2% each). LECTURE EXAMS: there are four multiple-choice
lecture exams, worth 40% of your final grade (10% each). Exams will consist of
50 multiple-choice questions selected from preceding quizzes and lectures.
Exams are closed book (no notes). Scantrons will be supplied. ATTENDANCE: attendance is required in this class. The quizzes
also serve as a record of attendance. Students with three or more unexcused*
absences may be dropped from the course (* some
absences, e.g. illness, may be excused; “official” documentation must be
provided). COURSE TEXT BOOK: Required: None; Optional: Christopherson, R.W. and
Birkeland, G.H. 2015. Geosystems, 9th edition. This is an older edition of this
book; inexpensive used copies can be found online. Most of the lecture material
is based on this book. This book is not required; it is simply suggested for
students who like to have a textbook to accompany the lectures. LAB MANUAL: Department of Geography, University of North Texas Earth
Science Laboratory Manual, 30th edition. Extra Credit: The Department of Geography and the
Environment does not allow extra credit assignments (work not specified on a
course syllabus). *Students are responsible
for retaining all graded materials in event of a grade dispute.
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