Syllabus

GEO1111 – Introduction to Earth systems (Summer 2022) – ONLINE version

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Welcome!
Professor: Victor Garcia

Office: virtual
Email: vgarcia2@uottawa.ca * Please put [GEO1111] in the subject line *
I try to respond within 24 business hours.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS (responsible for consultations and monitoring the Zoom chat)
Hao Mai, Soran Parang, Ryley Penner

TA Office hours: Ryley Penner Tuesday 10 – 11 h rpenn090@uottawa.ca

Victor Garcia Wednesday 11:20 – 12:20h
Hao Mai Thursday 9 – 10h hmai090@uottawa.ca
Soran Parang Friday 10 – 11h spara098@uottawa.ca

These consultation sessions give you the opportunity to come and ask questions about less well-understood
concepts. We strongly encourage you to ask your questions as they arise rather than waiting until the last minute
before an exam.
Office hours will not be recorded!

→ GEO1111@uottawa.ca – use this address for any questions related to the course (for confidential
questions, contact Victor). This is your primary contact resource!

SCHEDULE (Ottawa time)

Monday 8h30 – 11h20 (= 2 lecture slots)
Wednesday 8h30 – 11h20 (= 2 lecture slots)

LOCATION: Virtual

Stay well during the pandemic

This edition of the course is given remotely. This means that we would ideally have the course in person, but since
we are unable to do so, we converted to an online format. Normally, an online course is designed with a team of
experts over a long period; this edition of the course was quickly converted within a few months. We hope for
your understanding if there are any bumps on the road and we welcome your suggestions at any time.

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Course information
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a course meant for students in the faculties of Science or Engineering who want to learn more about the
origin of our planet Earth, how it evolved throughout its 4.6 billion year history, and how it controls our physical
environment through slow but massive tectonic cycles and processes. We will explore important themes such as
the materials that compose our planet, the volcanic, erosional and tectonic processes that shape its surface, the
origin of life, Earth resources and also document the massive geochemical cycles that operate between the Earth’s
deep interior and the oceans and atmosphere.

Course format
The course is given synchronously, via Zoom. Participation at lectures is not mandatory. Every lecture will be
recorded and posted on Brightspace after it is given (the same or the following day).

TEXTBOOKS (PURCHASE IS OPTIONAL)

No book is required for this course, but any Physical Geology or Introduction to Earth Science book would be
adequate. There are many editions, and they all contain the same information. Moreover, searching the internet is
free!

Suggested textbooks (available at the Morisset Library):

Tarbuck, Lutgens, & Tasa (2013). EARTH – An introduction to physical geology – 11th edition.
Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Tarbuck, E.J., Lutgens, F.K., Tsujita, C.J. (2005). EARTH – An introduction to physical geology, Canadian
edition. Prentice Hall.
CALL# QE 28.2.T37

Smith, G.A., Pun, A. (2006). How does Earth work? Physical geology and the process of science.
Pearson/Prentice Hall.
CALL# 28.2 S59

Grotzinger, J., Jordan, T.H., Press, F., Siever, R. (2007). Understanding Earth – 5th edition. Freeman.
CALL# QE 28.P9

Stanley, S. M. (1999). Earth System History. Freeman.

CALL# QE 28.3.S735

Hamblin, W. K. (1998). Earth's dynamic systems. Prentice Hall.

CALL# QE 28.2.H35

Thompson, G. R. (1993). Modern physical geology. Saunders College Pub.

CALL# QE 28.2.T5

Skinner, B. J. (2004). Dynamic earth: an introduction to physical geology. John Wiley & Sons.
CALL# QE 28.2.S55

LIST OF TOPICS *

Section 1. EARTH ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION and FOUNDATIONS of MODERN GEOLOGY

• Earth systems (introduction), Earth formation and evolution
• Internal structure of the Earth, Theory of tectonic plates
• Evolution of continents, Wilson cycle and paleogeographic reconstructions
• Geological time and dating

Section 2. TERRESTRIAL MATERIALS and INTERNAL GEOSYSTEMS

• Minerals, rocks and rock cycle, Volcanoes
• Deformation of the earth's surface (folds, faults and mountains), Earthquakes

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Section 3. EXTERNAL GEOSYSTEMS
• Mass movements
• Rivers and floods
• Underground waters
• Oceans

* The list of subjects covered is provided for information only and may be modified.

EVALUATION*
1) midterm exam 1 (May 11th 8:30 am), 60 min 22%
2) midterm exam 2 (May 23rd 8:30 am), 60 min 22%
3) midterm exam 3 (June 1st 8:30 am), 60 min 22%
4) final exam (during the official exam period) 34%

!!! If you are absent from an exam, you must notify me (Victor) as soon as possible and provide a medical
certificate or proof of death in the family within a maximum of 5 working days, otherwise you will be
assigned a mark of "zero" for this exam - see academic regulations related to evaluations, section 9.5:
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/academic-regulation-9-evaluation-of-student-learning

!!! There will be no makeup exams; the percentage of the missed exam, if valid documentation is provided,
will be redistributed to the remaining upcoming exams (not your past exams).

!!! If your final exam score is better than all of your midterm scores, then the weight of the exam will no
longer be 22%-22%-22%-34% but 15%-15%-15%-55% instead.

EXAM FORMAT
The exams (midterms and final) will be conducted through Brightspace. Further details (e.g. number of
questions, zoom link) will be provided prior to evaluations.

The exams will consist of different types of questions and will be unsupervised “open book” exams. You will
only be asked about the content featured in the lectures!

Re-correction requests
If there is an error in the correction of an exam in the course, you can request a new correction. Requests for re-
correction of work must reach me by email no later than 10 days from the first day the marked work is available
for review. Submissions after the deadline will not be considered. Please send the number of the question to be
considered. Do not write anywhere about your work before resubmitting it. Your new score may be lower, equal
or higher than your original score.

ESSENTIAL TECHNOLOGY TOOLS - VIRTUAL CAMPUS

The Virtual Campus GEO1111 website (accessible through the University of Ottawa website) will be used to
present the syllabus, lectures and communicate exam results. All you need is a username and password for uoZone
which can be obtained by contacting the IT department at 613-562-5800 ext. 6555). If you are having difficulty
accessing the course site through the Virtual Campus, you can call 613-562-5800 ext. 6555 or send an electronic
request using the “support form” available at the following address: http://www.sic.uottawa.ca/cybersos/

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 COURSE CALENDAR (APPROXIMATE) – 2022 SUMMER

Week Day Date Topic Lecture*

Week 1 Monday May 2nd Course syllabus, rules, and expectations
Intro to Earth Systems Lecture 1
Wednesday May 4th Formation of the Earth Lecture 2
The internal structure of the Earth Lecture 3
Week 2 Monday May 9th Plate Tectonic Theory Lecture 4
Evolution of continents Lecture 5
Wednesday May MIDTERM EXAM 1 (1-5)
11th Geological time and dating Lecture 6
Week 3 Monday May Minerals Lecture 7
16th Igneous rocks Lecture 8
Wednesday May Volcanoes Lecture 9
18th Sedimentary rocks and Metamorphic rocks Lecture 10
Week 4 Monday May MIDTERM EXAM 2 (6-10)
23th Economic resources Lecture 11
Wednesday May Earthquakes Lecture 12
25th Crustal deformation and Mass movements Lecture 13
Week 5 Monday May Rivers and floods Lecture 14
30th Underground waters Lecture 15
Wednesday June 1st MIDTERM EXAM 3 (11-15), 9 am
------------------------- --------------
Week 6 Monday June 6th Oceans Lecture 16
Deserts and atmosphere Lecture 17
Wednesday June 8th Q&A
Week 7 TBD June FINAL EXAM (cumulative, 1-17)**
TBD

*Lecture dates may differ depending on class progress.

** The final exam will take place during the official exam period, on the date determined by the Faculty (not under
my influence).

Video conferences
We will use Zoom to connect synchronously. As an essential aspect of academic integrity, do not share any of the
details (i.e. link, login details) with anyone outside of the course. If any issues with sharing this information arise
(e.g. "zoombombing") I will deal with the issue, ending our session if necessary. I hope I don't have to, as these
synchronous sessions are a critical part of acquiring knowledge and skills in the course and helping you prepare
for the final exam. For my part, I will share all login information through Brightspace only. Please try to join the
videoconferences a few minutes in advance.
As with the class link, is it essential to keep the class recordings private.

Academic integrity!
“Academic integrity means being responsible for the quality of your work, preparing it honestly and respecting
the intellectual community of which you are a part as a student. It is a fundamental value in all university work…
Each member of the university community has a moral obligation to learn and share their knowledge with
honesty and integrity. Students should take pride in showing their degree, knowing that they have earned it
honestly and upholding the principles of academic integrity.” – uOttawa website on Academic Integrity

Academic fraud

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Academic fraud is an act of a student that can result in a false assessment (including papers, tests, exams, etc.). It
is not tolerated by the University. Anyone found guilty of academic fraud will face severe penalties.
Please pay particular attention to academic integrity requirements in your online courses - if you are unsure of
the expectations regarding academic integrity, ASK!

Here are some examples of academic fraud:

• Plagiarism or cheating of any kind;
• Presenting research data that has been falsified;
• Submitting a work of which you are not the author, in whole or in part;
• Submitting the same work for more than one course without the written consent of the professors
concerned.
• Please consult this web page, it contains regulations and tools to help you avoid plagiarism and
maintain academic integrity: https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/academic-
regulation-14-other-important-information

An individual who commits or attempts to commit academic fraud, or who is an accomplice, will be punished.
Here are some examples of possible sanctions:
• Receive an “F” for the assignment or in the course in question;
• Imposition of additional requirements (from 3 to 30 credits) to the study program;
• Suspension or expulsion from the Faculty.

Student services
Student accommodation service
For students who need adaptive measures.
Students who have a disability or functional limitation and who need adaptive measures (changes in the physical
environment, exam arrangements, learning strategies, adaptive technologies, etc.) to progress or participate fully
in university life should contact SASS Academic Accommodations immediately:
• Connect to the Academic Accommodations Portal (Ventus) and complete the admission form
• Call the office at 613-562-5976
SASS offers services and implements measures to eliminate obstacles to learning for students with physical or
mental health problems, visual impairments or blindness, hearing impairments or deafness, permanent or
temporary disabilities or learning disabilities.

Academic Writing Help Center

At the AWHC you will learn to identify, correct and ultimately avoid mistakes in your writing and become a
freelance writer.
By working with our writing advisors, you will be able to acquire the writing skills, strategies and tools that will
allow you to:
• Master the written language of your choice
• Develop your critical thinking skills
• Develop your argumentation skills
• Learn what the expectations are for academic writing

Career services
Career Services offers a variety of services and a career development program to help you recognize and
improve the employability skills you need in today's world of work.

Consulting service
There are many reasons to take advantage of the Counseling Service:
• Personal advice
• Professional orientation
• Consulting in study skills
• Access service

The Access Service acts as an intermediary between students, their faculty and other University offices to ensure
that the special needs of these students are met and that the best possible learning conditions are offered.

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Policy - Prevention of sexual violence
The University of Ottawa will not tolerate any act of sexual violence. This includes acts such as rape and sexual
harassment, as well as misconduct that takes place without consent, which includes cyberbullying. The University,
along with various groups of employees and students, offers a variety of services and resources to ensure that all
members of the University of Ottawa community have access to support and confidential information, as well as
procedures for reporting an incident or making a complaint. For more information, please visit
www.uOttawa.ca/sexual-violence-support-and-prevention/.

NOTE: Keep this document. Some changes may be made during the session.