GEOL 102: Earth and Life through Time, Section 001

	GEOL 102: EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME Spring, 2012
	Course Section: 001		Classroom Location: LFG 102 Check Location

	Instructor: Dr. Ganqing Jiang		Office Location: SEB 3241 Check Location
	Email: Ganqing.Jiang@unlv.edu		Lectures: T-Th: 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
	Class Website: http://faculty.unlv.edu/ganqing/GEOL102		Office hours: T-Th 10:00 - 11:15 AM or by appointment

	Course Description: Basic concepts and major techniques used by geologist to understand the evolution of Earth and life through time. Topics include the stratigraphic principles, rock cycles, dating methods, plate tectonics, the fossil record, evolutionary theory, mass extinctions, tectonic evolution and paleogeographic interpretation. Laboratory work includes identification of minerals, rocks and major groups of fossils, interpretation of depositional environments, stratigraphic sequence analysis, and geological maps and cross sections. Learning outcomes: At the end of the class, every student should be able to: • Use relative and absolute dating principles to interpret the geological history of rock units. • Identify the major types of sedimentary rocks and their depositional environments. • Explain the tectonic theory and apply it to the tectonic cycles in Earth history • Understand the sequence of major events in the history of the Earth and life and their interrelationships • Identify and classify the major groups of fossils and apply them for stratigraphic correlation • Correctly interpret geological maps and geological cross sections Textbook: Steven M. Stanley, 2009, Earth System History, 3rd Edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, 551 pp. ISBN: 1-4292-0520-2 Grading: Final grades will be assigned according to the following schedule. Final grades may be curved in the students' favor. • Attendance, participation, and quizzes......15% ..........(a) • Midterm Exam.........................................25%...........(b) • Final Exam...............................................30%...........(c) • Lab/Field work........................................30%...........(d) Final exam will be cumulative. No make-ups for exams except stated by the university rules (see below). Your final score will be calculated as follows: Final score = (a) * 15% + (b) * 25% + (c) * 30% + (d) * 30% Your final grade will be assigned on the following schedule: A: 90-100; B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-69; F: < 60 A plus/minus system may be employed at the instructor’s discretion. *Notes:* No make-up exams, make-up quizzes, or make-up exercises will be given unless you provide a written medical, military, or university excuse. So plan to attend class. Class Schedule Lecture Syllabus Lab Syllabus

Week	Day	Date	Lecture topic	Lecture Notes
1	T	Jan-17	Introduction: WHYs and HOWs	Lecture 1
1	Th	Jan-19	How did our earlier generations think about the Earth: Historical View	Lecture 2
2	T	Jan-24	How Do We Know the Age of the Earth: Relative and Absolute Ages	Lecture 3
2	Th	Jan-26	Materials for studying the Earth history: Rocks and Minerals (a review)	Lecture 4 [review questions]
3	T	Jan-31	Sedimentary Environments	Lecture 5 [Answer to Quiz 1]
3	Th	Feb-2	Sedimentary Record: Interpreting the Earth history	Lecture 6
4	T	Feb-7	Fossils in Sedimentary Record: A Major Tool for Telling Time	Lecture 7
4	Th	Feb-9	Fossils in Sedimentary Record: Information on Earth System Changes	Lecture 8
5	T	Feb-14	Plate Tectonics and Rock Cycles: Complexity of the Earth Record	Lecture 9 [Answer to Quiz 2]
5	Th	Feb-16	Plate Tectonics and Rock Cycles: Revealing the Earth history	Lecture 10
6	T	Feb-21	No class[please work on lecture and quiz questions, prepare for midterm exam]	No class
6	Th	Feb-23	No class[please work on lecture and quiz questions, prepare for midterm exam]	No class
7	T	Feb-28	Major Chemical Cycles	Lecture 11
7	Th	Mar-1	Life through Time: The Early Days	Lecture 12 [Answer to Quiz 3]
8	T	Mar-6	Midterm Review	Midterm Review
8	Th	Mar-8	Midterm Exam	Midterm Exam [Answer to Midterm Exam]
9	T	Mar-13	Life through Time: the Rise of Oxygen and Evolution of Eukaryotes	Lecture 14
9	Th	Mar-15	The Earth through time: The Proterozoic Eon	Lecture 15
10	T	Mar-20	Earth & Life through time: The “Snowball” Earth	Lecture 16
10	Th	Mar-22	Life through time: The Paleozoic Biosphere	Lecture 17 [Answer to Quiz 4]
11	T	Mar-27	Earth & Life through time: The Paleozoic Tectonic History of North America	Lecture 18
11	Th	Mar-29	Life through time: The Paleozoic Mass Extinction Events	Lecture 19
12	T	Apr-10	Life and Earth through Time: The Mesozoic	Lecture 20 [Answer to Quiz 5]
12	Th	Apr-12	Life through time: The Mesozoic Biosphere	Lecture 21 [Field Trip Guide]
13	T	Apr-17	No class [Work on your field guide contents if you missed the trip]	No class
13	Th	Apr-19	The Origin of Birds	Lecture 22 [Answer to Quiz 6]
14	T	Apr-24	Earth through Time: The Cenozoic Tectonics and Climates	Lecture 23
14	Th	Apr-26	Life through Time: The Age of Mammals	Lecture 24 [Answer to Quiz 7]
15	T	May-1	Final Exam Review	Final Exam Review
15	Th	May-3	Answering questions in class	Optional - No new class material
16	Th	May-10	Final Exam: 8:00-10 am	Final Exam: 8:00-10:00 am

Class Schedule