ESCI 1001/1101 Intro to class

ESCI 1001/1101: Earth and Its Environments/Introduction to Geology

Instructor Information

  • Justin Revenaugh
  • Office: 385-06 Tate Hall (Maybe)
  • Email: justinr@umn.edu (Definitely)

Office Hours

  • Zoom Office Hours:
    • Wednesdays 1:30 to 2:30 pm
    • Or by zoom appointment

Course Overview

  • Nuts and Bolts:
    • Intent, theme, and design of the course.
    • Instructor/TA information.
    • Readings.
    • Quizzes.
    • Labs.
    • Evaluation.

Course Content

  • What is this class about?
    • The science of geology: Study of the Earth.
    • Its history.
    • Structure.
    • Processes.
    • Life and the environment.
    • The importance of geology to understanding the environment:
      • Past, present, future.

Course Design

  • Mix of lecture with pictures and some video.
    • Lectures lay out the foundations of the science.
      • Nature of evidence.
      • Questions.
      • Current theorems and hypotheses.
      • History of thought.

Readings

  • Optional Readings: Understanding Earth by Grotzinger and Jordan.
    • Backup to lecture.
    • Adds depth.
    • Textbook available FREE on the canvas site.
    • Only material treated in class is tested.

Other Learning Tools

  • Canvas Course Pages:
    • Lecture slides and recordings.
    • Practice exams.
    • Real exams.
    • Current Events assignments.
    • Labs (1001 only).
    • Possible extra credit opportunities.
    • News.

Exams

  • Multiple choice.
  • Five total (every ~3 weeks and a final).
    • 50 minutes, ≤ 50 questions.
  • Practice exams in advance.
    • Will include some questions from actual quiz!
  • Open note.
  • Low score is dropped.

Current-Events Quizzes

  • Read several news articles.
  • Answer 10 multiple-choice questions.
  • Two a week for weeks 2 through 7.
  • Drop lowest two scores.

Lab (1001 Only)

  • Lab sections are synchronous.
  • The instructor is not in charge of lab. Ask your TA about lab-related questions.
  • Don’t ask your TA about lecture; ask the instructor.

Extra Credit

  • As needed to raise score distribution.
  • Based on readings, movie, or online activity.
  • Time-limited—opportunity is open for a finite window: don’t wait.

Evaluation

  • Overall grade breakdown:
    • For 1001 students: 50% Exams - 15% CE Quizzes - 35% Lab
    • For 1101 students: 75% Exams - 25% CE Quizzes

Physical Sciences Core

  • Provide an understanding of physical phenomena by analyzing and describing the nature, constitution, and properties of (non- living) matter and energy, using mathematical or quantitative analysis in the description and elucidation of natural processes.
  • Provide an understanding of the scientific method.

Environmental Theme

  • Develop understanding of the interrelationships between the environment and human society.
  • Introduce scientific principles at stake in environmental issues and the possibilities and limitations of various technologies, scientific practices, and public policies aimed at mitigating detrimental environmental impacts.

Online Exams

  • Can be rescheduled for valid absences:
    • University-sponsored travel.
    • Documented illness.
    • Family emergency.
  • Can be taken from anywhere.
  • Have 48 hours in which to self-schedule the 50-minute exam.

Online Course Structure

  • Lectures are recorded and available at least one week prior to exams.
  • Lecture topics (e.g., plate tectonics) will extend over multiple recordings.
  • PowerPoint slides are available on canvas.
  • Exams are online and available for at least 48 hours.
  • Labs are remote but synchronous – attendance is required during the scheduled sessions.

Academic Honesty

  • A quote by Michelle Obama, DNC Convention: "We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square."

Academic Dishonesty

  • If you choose to follow the dark side and are caught cheating (copying answers or allowing others to do so, falsifying information, etc.), you will receive an academic dishonesty report and automatically fail the course.

Goals

  • Make geology accessible, useful, and enjoyable.
  • Provide tools to penetrate information “fog”.
  • Help you appreciate how kick-butt reality is!