EPSC 233 / Earth & Life History

Fall 2005

Lecture schedule:M W F13h35-14h25; lectures in RedpathMuseum auditorium; local field excursion(s).

NOTE: This course has no formal university?level prerequisite. However it does assume a minimal background in physical and life sciences (high-school chemistry and biology). If you have doubts about your general science literacy, consult the instructor early for guidance. 

The course aims to provide an overview of phenomena, materials, processes, conditions, events, and the geologic history of the 4.6 b.y. old Earth, as read from the rocks. We emphasize the time-dependent changes of the Earth’s attributes, and take interest in past “Great Happenings” that have left their imprint on our dynamic planet.

Teaching team: 

Instructors: Bruce Hart (e-mail: hart@eps.mcgill.ca). FDA Room 332; phone: 398-3677

Jeanne Paquette (e-mail: jeannep@eps.mcgill.ca)FDA Room 214;398-4402

Teaching assistants: to be announced

Textbook (required, available from McGill Bookstore): 

"Historical Geology - Evolution of Earth and Life Through Time"by R. Wicander and J.S. Monroe, published by Thomson - Brooks/Cole (4th edition, 2004).[$100.95] ISBN 0534392873

http://newtexts.com/newtexts/book.cfm?book_id=1190

Marking Scheme: 

Assignments? 30% 

Mid-term exam: 20% (early October 4)

Final Exam: 50% (December)

Additional books by geobiologists/biogeologists on the early history of Earth and life worth taking a look at:

Cloud, P. 1988. Oasis in space, Earth history from the beginning.W.W. Norton & Co., New York, London, 508 p. http://www.innovationwatch.com/books/bks_0393019527.htmSchulich LibraryQE26.2 C56 1988

Knoll, A.H. 2003. Life on a young planet: the first three billion years of evolution on Earth.PrincetonUniversity Press, PrincetonNJ, 304 p.Blacker Wood LibraryQH325 K54 2003

http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/7482.html

Schopf, J.W. 1999.Cradle of Life.PrincetonUniversity Press, PrincetonNJ, 367 p.Schulich LibraryQH325 S384 1999

http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/6542.html

 

Course outline

 

Week	Topic(See chapters in Wicander & Monroe 2004)
September 1,3	Overview of Earth as a dynamic planet with a long, complex history. Preface, Epilogue, Chapter 1
8, 10	Earth materials (rocks, minerals, and fluids).Chapter 2; Appendix C.  Plate tectonics.Chapter 3
13, 15, 17	Geologic time and time scales. Chapter 4; field trip Stratigraphy. Chapter 5
20, 22, 24	Sedimentary rocks as archives of Earth history.Chapter 6 Fossils and evolution. Chapter 7
27, 29 Oct. 1	The early Earth and life (Archean). Chapter 8 The middle-aged Earth (Proterozoic) Chapter 9
4, 6, 8	Proterozoic continued. Chapter 9 Review; Mid-term exam
13, 15	Early Paleozoic Earth History
18, 20, 22	Late Paleozoic Earth History Paleozoic Life History - Invertebrates
25, 27, 29	Paleozoic Life History – Invertebrates Paleozoic Life History – Vertebrates and plants
November 1, 3, 5	Mesozoic Earth History Life of the Mesozoic Era
8, 10, 12	Life of the Mesozoic Era Cenozoic Earth History: The Tertiary Period
15, 17, 19	Cenozoic Earth History: The Quaternary Period Life in the Cenozoic Era
22, 24, 26	Life in the Cenozoic Era Geological Perspectives on Global Change
29, Dec. 1, 3	Review, Make-up