12/11/07

Welcome to Eart116, Winter 2009

As many of you know, Eart116 is now filled for Winter 2009, with 26 students registered. There is currently a waiting list of eight more people who would like to participate in Eart116 this quarter. The priority of individuals on the waiting list is based on whether they are EPS majors/minors (first priority) or nonmajors (second priority), the order in which they contacted me, and (as of January) their presence in the first class (and beyond). I will continue to assign students to the wait list based on their priority and the order in which they request entry to the class.

The first class meeting is Weds, 1/7, 12:30 pm, and students who wish to retain their positions in the class should be sure to attend the first day of class, or provide to me with an extraordinarily good explanation as to why they can not attend. Students who do not attend the first class, or do not provide a suitable explanation ("on vacation" does not qualify), may lose their positions to wait-listed students who do show up for the first day. Students who also fail to show up by the second day of class (Friday 1/9/09) will almost certainly lose their positions.

A final note about Eart116. The mathematical level of the course is modest, involving mainly algebra, trig, and a little calculus, but the work load is high. Each week there is considerable assigned reading, a problem set, and a lab exercise. The lab is not a separate 1- or 2-credit course, mainly so that lab grades can count along with overall class (homework, test) grades, but it is easily 1-2 credits worth of work. I mention this not to frighten people away, but to make sure that all registered students are prepared to work hard and excel - we have a lot of turf to cover in a single quarter, and you should not take the class unless you are ready to be engaged and dedicated.

Should you decide to drop the class, please tell me immediately so that someone from the wait list can be admitted. I'll be waiting for enrollment to drop below 24 before admitting anyone new.

Please check back periodically for the latest news on Eart116, changes in assignments, results from tests, etc.

Course Overview: Earth and Planetary Sciences 116, Hydrology, is a quantitative and descriptive introduction to processes involving water on and near Earth’s surface. The course covers topics such as meteorology, water properties, surface flows of water in streams and as runoff, flood analysis, water budgets, sediment transport, erosion, and water quality. The course regularly includes calculations using algebra and trigonometry, with limited use of calculus. Prerequisites include an introductory Earth and Planetary Sciences (physical geology) course and one quarter of calculus. The course includes a midterm and final exam, eight field and laboratory exercises, and nine problem sets.

Eart116 (Hydrology) and Earth146 (Ground Water) are normally taught in Winter quarter, alternating years.

Eart116 syllabus