ESS 314 Geophysics: Expedition to Planet Earth Instructor:- Gerard Roe, JHN 361, gerard @ ess.washington.edu, Office hours Tues 2pm to 5pm, or by appointment TA: Nick Pollock, JHN423 npollock @ uw.edu Times:- MTWTh, 12.30 to 1.20, JHN 026, Friday (lab) 12.30 to 2.20, JHN021 Overview:- This course examines how a future expedition of extraterrestrials could use geophysical data, physical principles, and mathematical techniques to decide whether they should colonize Earth and to understand why the indigenous civilization became extinct. Pre-requisites: Phys 122 or 115/118, Math 126. The course uses an investigative approach. Concepts and tools will be introduced as necessary to solve each problem as it arises. The courses progresses from what can be seen from space to what requires detailed ground-based observations. The course includes a basic, context-related introduction to thermodynamics and the basic equations of classical physics governing potentials, diffusion, wave propagation and scale planetary fluid flow. Textbooks:- None required, but there will be required readings from notes and papers handed out in class, or posted on the web. The following are useful resources:- For the geophysics end of the syllabus: -Looking into the Earth: An Introduction to Geological Geophysics. A.E. Mussett and M.A. Kahn, Cambridge Univ. Press For the atmospheric science, this is good. -Atmospheric Science: an introductory survey. J.M. Wallace and P.V. Hobbs, Academic Press Assignments and grading:- See handout for guidance on the quality of the written work expected. A) Near-weekly homework assignments, based on that week’s subject matter will be distributed, work will be typically due one week from the time it is handed out. B) Labs will be on Friday, and will involve some practical or computer work and some write-up. C) There will be an in class mid-term. D) A final paper (mission report) and presentation will be required. Typically this is an overview of some aspect of the Earth System that would be important to understand if you were thinking of colonizing it. For example, Mineral resources, Natural hazards, Energy availability, Climatic zones. If numbers permit, we’ll do it as groups. The bottom line:- Midterm 25%, Homework 25%, Labs 25%, Mission report 25%, Participation 10%.

ESS 314 Geophysics: Expedition to Planet Earth

Instructor:-

Gerard Roe, JHN 361,

gerard @ ess.washington.edu,

Office hours Tues 2pm to 5pm, or by appointment

TA: Nick Pollock, JHN423

npollock @ uw.edu

Times:-

MTWTh, 12.30 to 1.20, JHN 026,

Friday (lab) 12.30 to 2.20, JHN021

Overview:-

This course examines how a future expedition of extraterrestrials could use geophysical data, physical principles, and mathematical techniques to decide whether they should colonize Earth and to understand why the indigenous civilization became extinct. Pre-requisites: Phys 122 or 115/118, Math 126.

The course uses an investigative approach. Concepts and tools will be introduced as necessary to solve each problem as it arises. The courses progresses from what can be seen from space to what requires detailed ground-based observations. The course includes a basic, context-related introduction to thermodynamics and the basic equations of classical physics governing potentials, diffusion, wave propagation and scale planetary fluid flow.

Textbooks:-

None required, but there will be required readings from notes and papers handed out in class, or posted on the web. The following are useful resources:-

For the geophysics end of the syllabus:

-Looking into the Earth: An Introduction to Geological Geophysics. A.E. Mussett and M.A. Kahn, Cambridge Univ. Press

For the atmospheric science, this is good.

-Atmospheric Science: an introductory survey. J.M. Wallace and P.V. Hobbs, Academic Press

Assignments and grading:-

See handout for guidance on the quality of the written work expected.

A) Near-weekly homework assignments, based on that week’s subject matter will be distributed, work will be typically due one week from the time it is handed out.

B) Labs will be on Friday, and will involve some practical or computer work and some write-up.

C) There will be an in class mid-term.

D) A final paper (mission report) and presentation will be required. Typically this is an overview of some aspect of the Earth System that would be important to understand if you were thinking of colonizing it. For example, Mineral resources, Natural hazards, Energy availability, Climatic zones. If numbers permit, we’ll do it as groups.

The bottom line:-

Midterm 25%, Homework 25%, Labs 25%, Mission report 25%, Participation 10%.