OCEA 3004

The Last Billion Years

Lec 01 selected

This course examines major events in Earth history. The geological and geochemical evidence will be described, and the hypothesized causes of the events will be examined. The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the functioning of the earth/ocean/atmosphere system, how it has reacted to perturbations in the past and how it will react to current perturbations in the future.

Sections

Lecture

From the syllabus

From the Fall 2024 syllabus by Stephanie Kienast. Fall 2026 is taught by Finkel Z., so details may differ. Open the PDF

Grading

10%Assignment 1Due Sept 18
15%Assignment 2Due Oct 18
15%Assignment 3Due Nov 20
20%Test 1Oct 2
20%Test 2Oct 30
20%Final examExam period, Dec 6–16; may be cumulative

Textbook

  • The Earth System (3rd edition), Lee Kump, James Kasting, Robert Crane

Course rules

Assignments
Assignments are open book, and students may work together but must submit their own work.
Late work
Assignments lose 10% per 24 hours late; one submission may use a penalty-free 72-hour extension.
Late work
Late assignments are accepted until marking is complete, typically 7–10 days; afterward they receive zero.
Missed assignments
Missed assignments generally cannot be made up.
Tests
Tests are closed book; the first two are held in person during regular class time.
Missed tests
A missed test has one make-up opportunity set by the instructor; missing it results in zero.
Passing
Students must earn at least 50% on both the assignment average and test average to pass.

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