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False-color image of land and marine vegetation as observed by the SeaWiFS satellite during Sept 1997-Aug 2000. Image provided by the SeaWiFS Project, NASA/GSFC and ORBIMAGE. |
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Rationale and Objectives:
To understand how the Earth
"works" as a system, we will study geological, chemical, physical and biological
components of the Earth system and how these interact. We will
specifically consider a broad spectrum of issues
relevant to life on Earth today, including the water cycle,
weather, plate tectonics, geologic hazards, and the impact of ecosystems and
biodiversity on climate. Our focus on scientific content will be
complemented by exploration of inquiry as a means of enhancing learning and
building scientific understanding. This approach will provide a unique
learning experience for: - students interested in studying the Earth from an interdisciplinary perspective - students interested in combining their existing expertise in Earth Science with work in formal or informal educational settings - pre-service teachers - in-service science teachers Each week we will consider a different Earth science topic by combining inquiry-based and traditional teaching approaches. Students will participate in a diverse array of collaborative group activities during the course. These will include work with physical models, maps and satellite imagery, “real-world” data, and internet-based resources.
Required Text - Please choose one of the following: For those who have a prior background in Geology, Geography and/or Earth Science - please use: The Earth System, 2nd Edition, by L.R. Kump, J.F. Kasting and R.G. Crane, Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2004. ISBN: 0131420593 |
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