EAS-A437 Earth Dynamics

Prerequisite

Physics I (PH-131/132) or Physics I with Calculus (PH-151/152).

Corequisite

Petrology (EAS-A405/A406) and Structure Geology (EAS-A430).

Lecture Hours

2:10PM - 3:00PM, MWF, RM 206, O'Neil Hall

Instructor

Dr. Lupei Zhu, Asst. Professor of Geophysics
RM 104E O'Neil Hall
Tel: 73118; email lupei@eas.slu.edu

Office Hours

RM 104E O'Neil Hall, Thu 03:00PM - 04:00PM, or by appointment

Syllabus

The relation between plate tectonics and properties of Earth's; interior inferred from geological and geophysical observations. Emphasis will be on the relation of Earth's surface features to processes at depth. Learning objectives are

understand dynamic features of the Earth;
learn various geophysical methods to probe Earth's interior; and
gain knowledge of earth's gravity/magnetic fields and interior structure.

See details in lecture schedule

Grading

20% in class quizzes (~5 sets)
50% homework assignments (~5 sets)
10% mid-term exam
20% final exam

A 95-100%; A- 90-94%; B+ 85-89%; B 80-84%; B- 75-79%; C+ 70-74%; C 65-69%; C- 60-64%; D 40-59%; F 0-39%.
(For graduate students, there are no C+, C-, and D grades.)

Discussions on homework assignments among students are encouraged. But the answers you turn in must be in your own words based on your own work.

Late Homework Policy: All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Request for extension due to emergency must be made by email before the due time. A penalty of 10% of the full score will be applied for late turned in assignments for each overdue day (less than 24 hours is counted as 1 day).

Text Books

required:

C.M.R. Fowler, The Solid Earth, an Introduction to Global Geophysics, Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition, 2005.

additional suggested:

Moores, E. M. and R. J. Twiss, Tectonics, Freeman and Company, 1995.
Kearey, P. and F. J. Vine, Global Tectonics, 2nd edition, Blackwell Science, 1996
Ernst, W. G., The Dynamic Planet, Columbia University Press, New York, 1990.
Turcuotte, D. L. and G. Schubert, Geodynamics, Applications of Continuum Physics to Geological Problems, 1982

Related Web Sites

This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics, W. Jacquelyne Kious and Robert I. Tilling
When the Earth Moves: Sea floor Spreading and Plate Tectonics
Geodynamics Branch of the Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Journal of Geodynamics
Principles of Global Dynamics, J. A. Rial, UNC

Academic Integrity and Honesty

The University is a community of learning, whose effectiveness requires an environment of mutual trust and integrity. Academic integrity is violated by any dishonesty such as soliciting, receiving, or providing any unauthorized assistance in the completion of work submitted toward academic credit. While not all forms of academic dishonesty can be listed here, examples include copying from another student, copying from a book or class notes during a closed book exam, submitting materials authored by or revised by another person as the student's own work, copying a passage or text directly from a published source without appropriately citing or recognizing that source, taking a test or doing an assignment or other academic work for another student, securing or supplying in advance a copy of an examination without the knowledge or consent of the instructor, and colluding with another student or students to engage in academic dishonesty.

Any clear violation of academic integrity will be met with appropriate sanctions. Possible sanctions for violation of academic integrity may include, but are not limited to, assignment of a failing grade in a course, disciplinary probation, suspension, and dismissal from the University. Students should review the College of Arts and Sciences policy on Academic Honesty, which can be accessed on-line at http://www.slu.edu/colleges/AS/ under "Quicklinks for Students" or in hard copy form in the Arts and Sciences Policy Binder in each departmental or College office

Student with Special Needs - Disability Services

Any student who feels that he/she may need academic accommodations in order to meet the requirements of this course - as outlined in the syllabus, due to presence of a disability, should contact the Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action. Please telephone the office at 314-977-8885, or visit DuBourg Hall Room 36. Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries.