Welcome to the Class Home Page for PTYS 170A1
PLANET EARTH: EVOLUTION OF A HABITABLE WORLD
Section 1 (TTh @ 9:30 am) & Section 2 (TTh @ 12:30 pm), Spring 2013
Room 308, Kuiper Space Sciences Building (see classroom map)

COURSE OVERVIEW

This is a Tier 1 general education course in physical science with an Earth-centered focus; an outline of the course content is at this link. The first part of this course reviews some of the fundamental concepts (e.g., laws of thermodynamics) and tools (e.g., radiogenic dating) that scientists use to understand the origin and evolution of planet Earth. Next, several topics in astrophysics are reviewed to demonstrate that solar system formation is a common event throughout the Universe and to emphasize that many properties of planet Earth depend on processes (e.g., stellar nucleosynthesis, interstellar chemistry) that occurred in the Milky Way Galaxy long before our planet formed. A planetary perspective is then developed, beginning with the formation of our Solar System followed by a chronology of Earth’s evolution to the current epoch. This approach emphasizes the internal (e.g., plate tectonics) and external (e.g., solar energy) processes that have driven the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, surface, and climate throughout time. It also creates a multi-disciplinary perspective for examining the types of life that originated and evolved on Earth and the mutual influences that biological processes and the atmosphere/ocean system have had on each other. The course ends by reviewing the impact of human activities on global climate, Earth’s future prospects as a habitable planet, and the search for other habitable worlds.

Textbook. There is no required textbook for this course. All course content is provided in the instructor's lecture notes. Use the User Name and Password provided in class to access these notes.

Turning Technologies Model NXT Clicker "Blue Book" Journal

Clicker. You are required to purchase a clicker (the Turning Technologies ResponseCard NXT) to log class attendance and to respond to questions during class.

Journal. You are required to purchase one or more large (8.5x11 inch) examination books (the “blue book”) to record information relevant to the Final Exam. Your Journal will be collected and graded as part of the Final Exam.

INSTRUCTOR

Harold P. Larson, University Distinguished Professor, Department of Planetary Sciences
Email: , Telephone: 621-6943
Office Hours: Monday from 12:00 to 2:00 pm in Room 353, or by appointment (please arrange about 24 hours in advance).

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Section 1 (TTh @ 9:30 am)

Youngmin JeongAhn, Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Planetary Sciences.
Email: , Phone: 621-1485.
Office Hours: Monday from 3:00 to 4:00 pm and Friday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in Room 322, or by appointment (please arrange about 24 hours in advance).

Sarah Morrison, Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Planetary Sciences
Email: , Phone: 621-1485.
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in Room 322, or by appointment (please arrange about 24 hours in advance)

Section 2 (TTh @ 12:30 pm)

Catherine Elder, Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Planetary Sciences
Email: , Phone: 621-1471.
Office Hours: Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in Room 318, or by appointment (please arrange about 24 hours in advance).

Tony Nottke, Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Planetary Sciences/Department of Chemistry.
Email: , Phone: 241-5698.
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 to 3:00 pm in Room 330, or by appointment (please arrange about 24 hours in advance).

COURSE ACTIVITIES. Check the Course Activities page regularly for information about in-class announcements, assignments, and important dates.

COURSE POLICIES. Check the Course Policies page for detailed information about policies and expectations for this course.

THE "EINSTEIN'S PROTÉGÉS" EXPERIENCE. Your instructor participates in a peer-assisted learning program called the Teaching Teams Program that is designed to help students improve their academic performance and acquire confidence in their ability to succeed. His particular implementation of the teaching team model is known as Einstein's Protégés which is based on embedded peer-led study groups that operate as mini-learning communities throughout the semester. Participation is voluntary. You may participate either as a preceptor (an undergraduate peer assistant) or member of a preceptor-led study group, as described in the following links; recruiting for both roles occurs during the first three weeks of the semester.

PRECEPTORS.The following students have volunteered to serve as preceptors and lead a study group that meets weekly throughout the semester.

Section 1 (TTh @ 9:30 am)

Section 2 (TTh @ 12:30 pm)

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

Room 330 (see classroom map). The Department of Planetary Sciences maintains a resource room for undergraduates that you are invited to use between 9-5 on Monday-Friday for any purpose that enhances your participation in this PTYS 170A1 course.

Study Guides and Strategies. This web site contains a treasure trove of resources related to studying, learning, and skill development, including translations into as many as 25 languages. Check out, for example, Thinking Like a Genius, Interactive Day & Weekly Planners, and Solving Math Word Problems.

University of Arizona Space Imagery Center. Explore links to pictures and text regarding meteorites, craters, and the origin of life on Earth.

Astronomy Picture of the Day.  Find exciting pictures for desktop wallpaper and custom screensavers! A different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured every day, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.