EARTH SC/ENVIR SC 3QQ3

Introduction to Scientific Dating Methods

Calendar Description

Dating methods relevant to processes and features of the bio-, geo-, hydro-, and atmospheres. Application to current environmental threats are discussed.
Three lectures; one term
Prerequisites: One of EARTH SC 2E03, 2I03, 2Q03, ENVIR SC 2E03, 2I03, 2Q03, ISCI 2A18.
Cross-list(s): ENVIR SC 3QQ3, EARTH SC 3QQ3

Time/Term Offered: Term Two Winter 2011-12

Instructor: Dr. Jack Rink
Room: General Science Building Rm. 225
Tel:(905) 525.9149 x24178
Email: rinkwj@mcmaster.ca
Office hours: TBA

Teaching Assistant:
Bobby Hendricks hendrirr@mcmaster.ca
Office GSB 301
Telephone: 905 525 9140 x 27524
Office Hours: To be announced

 

Course Outline Avenue to Learn
Class Schedule and Reading Assignments  

Introduction:

Learning objectives:
1) Develop the skills to ask questions in class
2) Develop the discipline to be able to be prepared when you come to class
3) Develop the skills to participate confidently in open discussions in class
4) Develop the skills to explain your knowledge in a relaxed take home test
5) Develop the skills to approach the professor and the TA during office hours
6) Develop the skills to take ownership
7) Develop the skills to learn from a scientific article and to analyze it critically

Lecture/Labs:

This course will be taught using Aristotle’s method. Dr. Rink will give a thumbnail sketch at beginning of each topic covered (about 20 minutes). Dr Rink will also endeavor to give you help about what aspects of the readings require the most attention. There are 8 topics for the course (see below). Reading assignments are assigned in advance to be read during the week before each topic is discussed in class during the following week. There are two reading assignments for each topic: 1) a reading from your textbook that explains how the dating method works and 2) a journal article in which the dating method was applied. Both the textbook reading and the journal article are assigned reading for the week before the material is developed during class. The format during class will be Dr. Rink calling on students to answer questions about readings they have already done, promoting discussion among students, and Dr. Rink receiving oral questions about the material. We are most interested in making this feel like a safe and supportive environment for speaking in class by all participants.

I hope that learning will proceed in a cooperative fashion. This class depends on student participation during class for it to be a success. The more questions you ask the more we will learn. I hope you will take the point of view that both Dr. Rink and your TA (Bobby Hendricks) are your enablers and your guides. Avail yourself of our office hours. I want us to try to look at the class as “our class” in the sense that it is not a lecture format class where I give out words and you rabbit them back to me. Note that we do not need Avenues to learn for this class (results from your evaluations will be handed back in class).

Required Text Books/Course materials:

Quaternary Geochronolgy: Methods and Applications. Eds. Noller, J.S., Sowers. J.M. and Lettis, W.R. American Geophysical Union, 2000.

Evaluation:

There will be no final examination during the final examination period.

There will be four pop quizzes whose dates are unannounced that will occur during class periods. Each is worth 10% of your grade (for a total of 40% of the final grade). If you miss any of these quizzes for any reason, the others will be averaged to obtain your 40% grade. The pop quizzes will be multiple choice/true false format. There will be about 10 questions on each quiz. Each will be cumulative over all of the previous material that has been covered.

The other 60% of your final grade will be a take home test that you will have about a week to write. This will incorporate a series of essay questions (you will choose 5 from a list of 8). There will be 5 classes of review time before this test is handed out, and you will have 5-6 days to write it. This take home test will be handed out 6 days before the beginning of the test and examination ban. It will be due the in class the day that the test and examination ban begins. See class schedule for details of timing of the take home test.

If you miss all the pop quizzes, the single take home test will yield 95% of your grade and a class participation grade will be assigned by Dr. Rink to make up the other 5% of your grade.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

  • Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.

  • Improper collaboration in group work.

  • Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/AcademicIntegrity.pdf

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.