March 21, 2008: Please note the date of the third exam has been moved to April 11.

Field trip dates:
April 5, 2008 - Geology of the Rochester Gorge
Apriil 12, 2008 - Middle Paleozoic Life of New York
There is limited space, so please let me know immediately if you wish to participate.

Course Description: EES 201 Evolution of the Earth is designed to introduce students to historical geology. It encompasses the dynamic history of the physical earth, the development of landforms, the rise and fall of ancient seas, the movements of the continents and how these processes affect the development of life on our planet. We will look at the evolution of historical geology through study of paleontology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geochronology, plate tectonics and a chronological survey of the Earth and life history, emphasizing the evolution of North America.

Text Books: Steven M. Stanley's Earth System History Second Edition (required)

Levin and Smith's Laboratory Studies in Earth History Ninth Edition (required)

You will find the following web site very useful in this class; some parts will require that you register as a student. There are helpful animations, quizzes and key concepts available for you to use as study guides.

http://bcs.whfreeman.com/esh2e/default.asp

Grade Breakdown: Exam 1 (15%) + Exam 2 (15%) + Exam 3 (15%) + Labs (15%) + Paper (20%) + Final Exam (20%)

In 200-level classes, a degree of writing ability is expected. There will be one 5-10 page paper, discussing a topic approved by the instructor, due at the end of the term. More specific details will be given during the semester. For those enrolled in EES 201W, you have the choice of one ~20-page paper, or two ~10-page papers. Failure to meet deadlines and requirements will result in a poor grade for the paper.

Field Trips: There will be a series of VOLUNTARY field trips throughout the area for those interested, to take place in late March/early April. Attendance on field trips can be used as extra credit. Frequency will depend on interest.

Labs: Labs will meet on Monday and Tuesday in Hutch 207 from 2:00 pm until 4:40 pm. Attendance is mandatory. Part of Friday classes will be devoted to discussion of what will be covered in laboratory the following week. Levin and Smith's Laboratory Studies in Earth History will be used for pre-lab work. Failure to complete pre-lab assignments will not allow you to complete the laboratory work in a timely fashion. Please do the reading and assignment before you come to lab; these will be checked before you can enter the lab room. While there are no formal lab exams, expect material covered in labs to be on lecture exams. Lab will formerly start 2 weeks into the semester, January 28 or January 29. For those students who would like a review of rocks and minerals, there will be a review lab the week of January 20. Specimens used in lab will be removed by Friday afternoon; if you do not complete the lab in your designated time, you must make arrangements with your TA to finish the lab as soon as possible.

Exams: There are 3 hour-long exams and a final. Exams will be a series of short answer questions, with ample opportunity for partial credit. The final exam will be given during finals week (Thursday, May 8, 8:30 am). The final will focus primarily on the material covered since the third exam, but anything asked on previous exams is fair game for additional exam material. I will run one out of class review session for each exam.

A few words of advice: A LOT of material is covered in this course. If you find yourself in over your head with the course work, with the paper, with the laboratory work or any assignments, please come see me immediately. If I have no forewarning that there is trouble on the horizon, there is not much I can do for you. If you have sport meets or interviews that you must attend, you've fallen ill, unforeseen catastrophic destruction of your computer or dorm room, let me know and I can make arrangements for you.