Discovering Planet Earth
MSC/LSC/PSC 185, Spring - 2006
Instructor: J. Michael Williamson
Phone: 617. 879.2256 or 978.468.4699 (before 9:30 PM)
Email: <mwilliamson@ wheelock.edu>
Office: 206 Activity Bldg. West
Office Hours: TBA
Course Description:
Studies the Physical and Life Sciences as they pertain to understanding Planet Earth with special
emphasis on integrating basic concepts of the Life and Physical Sciences, and understanding the process
of scientific explorations. Topics will include areas from Astronomy, Ecology, Marine Sciences, Earth
Sciences, telecommunications, and other related areas of science and mathematics. The course will
include guest lectures from the science and mathematics faculty. Course work includes experimentation,
simulations and models, field experiences, and integration of telecommunications and computer skills.
Text: Skinner, Brian J. The Blue Planet. Second Edition (ISBN:0-471-16114-4)
Laboratory Materials to be distributed in class.
Attendance:
Attendance and participation are considered in the determination of the final grade.
Evaluation:
Your grade for the course will be based on the following criteria:
1. Tests and/or Papers.
2. Project, Reports and Research techniques
3. PARTICIPATION, PROFESSIONALISM, AND ATTENDANCE
4. Completion of assignments.
Late assignments will be graded down for each day late.
Assignments receiving an Inc. (Incomplete) grade will have to be completed and handed in the class
period after receiving the grade, and the maximum grade after the I grade is a 79%. (See Handout for
report writing guidelines.)
Note: Any students who use the same material, i.e.
computer word-processed printouts, as lab reports or
projects will receive a grade of zero for that project.
Repeated offenses will be dealt with in accordance
with the Wheelock Student Handbook.
Extra Help: All students are urged to feel free to
conference with me on any area of the course,
project, or course material. You are welcome to stop
by my office or to schedule an appointment.
Page 1 of 2
MSC 185: Discovering Planet Earth
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Lab Outline
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19
Intro to course
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26
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31
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Pages1
1-21
Solar System Analysis Lab (Handout)
Questions
p. 21: 5,6,8
22-41, 334-335 P 41: 2, 3, 4, 6,
8, 10, CL:1,2
Intro to course, The Universe and Solar System
Earth, Moon & the Solar System, Seasons and Energy
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Effects of Moon on the Earth
264-265
The Changing Earth, Plate Tectonics
65-89
Maps and Video, evidence of moving continents
91-110
P 269: 12
P 108:25, 8, 10
Test 1
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Water and States of Matter
10, 190-194
Weather (Patterns and Cycles, El Nino, etc.)
Readings
Weather, Erosion and the Water Cycle
280-286
202-208,
241-264
189-201
Water on Earth - Ground water, surface water
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Water on Sources and Sinks, and the Water Cycle
Laws of Thermodynamics/Energy
P291:1,
P269QD:1
P212: 9, 12,
13,17 QD:2
8-12, 352
Spring Break 
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Energy and Earth
8-12, 293-302
Test 2
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Wave Dynamics and Energy (conference)
256-260
Water, waves, currents, and water properties
241-256
Classification of Life on Earth
343-361
P269: 3, 4, 5, 6
QD:1
Classification, Taxonomy, and Evolution
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Adaptations to Planet Earth
387-416
p 416: 3, 13, 14,
16,
235, 272, 317,
347, 395,473
P291: 3, 5, 10,
21, 22
Plants
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Plants: Structure and Function
Plants and Biomes
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Plants: Adaptations
Test 3
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Weather (video)
Weather Forecasting, Energy, Clouds, and Us
Greenhouse Effects
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Human Impacts, the Earth, and Weather
And Weather (continued)/ Review
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Test 4
Page 2 of 2
293-312
P291:1,7
P 313: 5,
P313: 1, 11,16,
20 QD: 1,2