G456U / G556 Astrogeology

Spring 2009

CRN 61249 (456 lecture)/CRN 61248 (456 lab)
CRN 61261 (556 lecture)/CRN 61262 (556 lab)
 
Location: Portland State University
Lecture CLY 201, 10:15-11:20 am MW
Lab CH 1, 10:15-12:05 am F
 

Instructor: Dr. Alex Ruzicka

CH 17K, 503-725-3372
e-mail: ruzickaa@pdx.edu
Office Hours: Regularly scheduled office hours are from 11:30-12:30 on Wednesdays.  Please make arrangements with me if you would like to meet outside of this time.
 

Class website: http://web.pdx.edu/~ruzickaa/G456

 

Course Description: Geology and astronomy are combined to better understand the evolution of the solar system. Comparative geologic evolution of the planets, moons, and smaller bodies in the solar system is emphasized. Other topics include impact cratering as a geologic process, the formation of stars and planetary systems, the origin of the solar system, and meteorites. The laboratory component of the course will give students experience with making observations and measurements that illustrate concepts discussed in lecture.

 

Text: Exploring the Planets by Eric Christianson and W. Kenneth Hamblin, Wadsworth Publishing, Second Edition.

 

Exams:  There will be two mid-term exams and a Final. These exams will be multiple choice. In general, no make-up exams will be given except for a medical emergency or unless arrangements to take the test at another time are made with the instructor in advance. On exam days, students should bring scantron forms (buy four copies of Form 882-ES) and a number two pencil to class. Scantrons are available at the bookstore. The Final (held in the main classroom on Wednesday June 10, 10:15 am-12:05 pm) will be comprehensive and is mandatory. Questions from the mid-term exams may be re-used on the Final. Answers and score distributions for the mid-term exams will be posted on the class website.

 

Laboratory assignments: Students will work on laboratory assignments during the scheduled laboratory period and will have one week to complete the assignment. Group work on laboratory assignments is permitted, but each student is required to submit their own work. Students should obtain a copy of the MER2003 CD-ROM which should be available from the instructor no later than the second week of classes. We will be doing some laboratory exercises from this CD.  Payment for this CD is covered by the activity fee you paid for the lab.

Homework problems (G556 only): Students enrolled for graduate credit are required to complete some homework problems. Homework assignments and due dates will be posted on the class website.
 

Grades: Grading is done on a straight scale although curves will be used at my discretion. Grades will be assigned based on scores as follows: 95% or above = A, 90-94.99% = A-, 87-89.99% = B+, 83-86.99% = B, 80-82.99% = B-, 77-79.99% = C+, 73-76.99% = C, 70-72.99% = C-, 67-69.99% = D+, 63-66.99% = D, 60-62.99% = D-, less than 60% = F.  I generally do not give “I” grades. This class can be taken Pass/No Pass.  If you elect to change your grading option, please inform me in writing. Letter grades will correspond to the standards given in the PSU course catalog.
 

Grades for G456 will be determined from performances on:

Laboratory exercises........................................................... 30%
Mid-terms ............................................................................. 30%
Final Exam ........................................................................... 40%
 

Grades for G556 will be determined from performances on:

Laboratory exercises .......................................................... 30%
Mid-terms ............................................................................. 20%
Final Exam ........................................................................... 30%
Homework problems ........................................................... 20%
COURSE OUTLINE
 
Monday CLY 201
Wednesday CLY 201
Friday CH 1
Week 1
3/30 Survey (Ch. 1)
4/1 Our solar system (Ch. 1) 
4/3 Endogenic & exogenic processes overview (Ch. 1); Collisions & impacts (Ch. 4) 
Week 2
4/6 Planetary interiors (Ch. 2)
4/8 Ways to learn about planetary interiors (Ch. 2)
4/10 Collisions lab
Week 3
4/13 Moon (Ch. 4)
4/15 Mercury (Ch. 5) 
 
4/17 Lunar stratigraphy I & II labs
Week 4
4/20 Mars (Ch. 6)
4/22 Mars (Ch. 6)
4/24 Mars I lab
Week 5
4/27 Mars (Ch. 6) 
4/29 Exam 1
5/1 Mars II lab 
Week 6
5/4 Venus & Earth (Ch. 7 & 8)
5/6 Venus & Earth (Ch. 7 & 8)
5/8 Io lab
Week 7
5/11 Jovian Planets (planets-- Ch. 9, 10, 11, 12)
5/13 Galilean moons (Ch. 9) 
5/15 Galilean satellites lab
Week 8
5/18 Titan (Ch. 10)
5/20 Titan (Ch. 10)
5/22 Triton/Pluto/KBOs (Ch. 12, 13)
Week 9
5/25 Memorial Day Holiday, NO CLASS 
5/27 Mid-sized and small moons (moons--Ch. 9, 10, 11, 12)
5/29 Interplanetary worldlets (asteroids & comets) (Ch. 3)
Week 10
6/1 Exam 2
6/3 Meteorites (Ch. 3)
6/5 Formation of planetary material & our solar system (Ch. 2)
Finals 
  
6/10 Final Exam, 10:15-12:05
  

 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SYLLABUS RECEIPT:
 
CRN 61249 (456 lecture)/CRN 61248 (456 lab)
CRN 61261 (556 lecture)/CRN 61262 (556 lab)
 
Astrogeology G456U/556
Spring 2009 PSU
 
I have received a copy of the course syllabus for this class, and the instructor has discussed the contents of this syllabus.

 
 

NAME (please print) ____________________________________________________

                                         Last                                  First                                     MI

 
 

Signature ______________________________________          Date__________________
 

A phone number where you can be reached: _______________________________
 

e-mail address:______________________________
 

Have you had any previous Geology classes.   If so, what and where?
 
 
 
 

What field are you majoring (planning to major, have you majored) in?
 
 
 
 

Why did you choose to take this particular class?