Martens, Hilary

English

University of Montana

University of MontanaScholarWorks at University of MontanaSyllabi Course SyllabiFall 9-1-2018GEO 107N.50: Natural DisastersHilary MartensUniversity of Montana, Missoula, hilary.martens@umontana.eduLet us know how access to this document benefits you.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabiThis Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted forinclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contactscholarworks@mso.umt.edu.Recommended CitationMartens, Hilary, "GEO 107N.50: Natural Disasters" (2018). Syllabi. 8171.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/8171                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Geo 107N – Natural Disasters | Fall 2018$Instructor informationInstructor: Dr. Hilary Martens || Office: CHCB 329/330 || Distance Learning (WWW)Email: hilary.martens@umontana.edu || Phone: 406.243.6855 || Office hours: By appointmentCourse description:Earth is a dynamic planet that generates energy internally and acquires energy from outside sources. The concentration and releaseof energy due to natural processes can cause catastrophic destruction and loss of life. The Earth currently supports a human population of over 7 billion, and the population continues to grow. Understanding the science and risks behind natural disasters can help us to prepare for and mitigate the impact of destructive events. In this course, we will explore many of the most commonnatural disasters and the forces that drive them. In particular, we will study plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis,tornadoes, hurricanes, climate change, floods, fires, landslides, avalanches, and impacts with space objects.Learning Outcomes:By the end of the course, students should be able to:1. Describe the causes and consequences of plate tectonics and the transfer of energy between Earth systems2. Differentiate between natural hazards, disasters, and risks3. Describe the physical processes that drive a wide variety of natural disasters4. Develop plans for personal preparedness in their own communities5. Assess natural hazards in the environment based on previous natural events and physical characteristics6. Consider how natural events can trigger or exacerbate other natural events7. Discuss best practices for mitigating economic losses and human casualties from future natural disasters8. Appreciate the impact of natural hazards on society and the role that science can play in hazard mitigationRequired textbooks:Hyndman & Hyndman (2017), Natural Hazards and Disasters, 5th Ed., Cengage Learning*[Access codes are available from the UM Bookstore]*Course Calendar:Dates Topic Assignments and Due Dates08/27 – 08/31 Human Populations Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes27 August Unit 1: Energy Sources29 August Unit 1: Human Population31 August Unit 1: Education and Economics09/03 – 09/07 Plate Tectonics Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes03 September Labor Day – No Class05 September Unit 2: Earth Structure07 September Unit 2: Plate Boundaries09/10 – 09/14 Earthquakes I Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes10 September Unit 2: Sea-Floor Spreading12 September Unit 3: Faults14 September Unit 3: Seismology Available: Midterm Exam 109/17 – 09/21 Earthquakes II Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes17 September Unit 3: Earthquake Magnitude and Intensity19 September Unit 4: Earthquake Forecasting21 September Unit 4: Earthquake Hazard and Risk09/24 – 09/28 Tsunamis Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes24 September Unit 4: Earthquake Early Warning26 September Unit 5: Physics of Tsunamis28 September Unit 5: Tsunami Effects and Mitigation Due: Midterm Exam 110/01 – 10/05 Volcanoes Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes01 October Unit 6: What are Volcanoes?03 October Unit 6: Volcanic Eruptions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Dates Topic Assignments and Due Dates05 October Unit 6: Volcano Hazards Due: Project 110/08 – 10/12 Mass Movements Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes08 October Catch-up / Independent Study Day Opportunity to work on projects, readings, exams, and quizzes10 October Unit 7: Causes of Mass Movements12 October Unit 7: Types of Mass Movements Available: Midterm Exam 210/15 – 10/19 Atmosphere and Oceans Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes15 October Unit 8: Earth’s Water Cycle17 October Unit 8: Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions19 October Unit 8: Monsoons and Mountain Winds10/22 – 10/26 Severe Weather and Storms Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes22 October Unit 9: Drought and Heat Waves24 October Unit 9: Severe Storms26 October Unit 9: Tornadoes Due: Midterm Exam 210/29 – 11/02 Climate Change Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes29 October Unit 10: Principles of Climate31 October Unit 10: Climate History02 November Unit 10: Mitigation of Climate Change11/05 – 11/09 Floods Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes05 November Unit 11: Stream Flow07 November Unit 11: Flood Intensity09 November Unit 11: Mitigating Flood Damage Available: Midterm Exam 311/12 – 11/16 Hurricanes Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes12 November Veterans Day Observed – No Class14 November Unit 12: Hurricane Formation16 November Unit 12: Hurricane Damages Due: Project 211/19 – 11/23 Break19 November Catch-up / Independent Study Day Opportunity to work on projects, readings, exams, and quizzes21 November Student Travel Day – No Class23 November Thanksgiving Break – No Class11/26 – 11/30 Wildfires Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes26 November Unit 13: Causes and Stages28 November Unit 13: Spread of Fires30 November Unit 13: Montana Wildfires Due: Midterm Exam 312/03 – 12/07 Impacts with Space Objects Readings, Discussion Questions, and Daily Quizzes03 December Unit 14: Space Objects05 December Unit 14: Historic Impacts07 December Unit 14: Risk of Impacts Available: Final Exam10-14DecemberFinal Exam Final Exam (Due: Friday 14 December 2018 by 5 pm)Required assignments and exams:1. Daily Readings: You are expected to complete daily readings as you proceed through the course.2. [10%] Project 1: Current Event3. [15%] Project 2: Interview a Community Leader4. [10%] Midterm Exam 1: Human Populations, Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes I, Earthquakes II5. [10%] Midterm Exam 2: Tsunamis, Volcanoes, Mass Movements, Atmosphere and Oceans6. [10%] Midterm Exam 3: Severe Weather and Storms, Climate Change, Floods, Hurricanes7. [15%] Final Exam: Comprehensive8. [20%] Daily Quizzes: You may re-take the daily quizzes as many times as you wish; I will take your highest scores.9. [10%] Discussion Questions: You will be awarded full credit when your responses are on topic and complete.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Course guidelines and policies:Student Conduct CodeAll students are expected to abide by The University of Montana’s Student Conduct Code:https://www.umt.edu/vpsa/policies/student_conduct.phpAttendanceRegular participation in online course exercises is expected. If you need to miss or delay an activity, please inform me in advance.Course withdrawalPlease refer to Institute policy on adding, dropping, and withdrawing from courses:https://www.umt.edu/registrar/students/dropadd.phpDisability modificationsThe University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors,and Disability Services for Students. If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting your academic performance, and youhave not already registered with Disability Services, please contact Disability Services in Lommasson Center 154 or call406.243.2243. I will work with you and Disability Services to provide an appropriate modification.Assignment expectationsReadings, quizzes, projects, exams and other course activities are expected to be completed thoughtfully and on-time. Honor Code: “No member of the community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the community.”*Plagiarism: Reproducing the work of someone else, and representing the work as your own, without appropriate citation and*attribution is forbidden. Plagiarism extends beyond tangible material to also include ideas. When in doubt, cite.*Collaboration: Since the course is fully on-line, peer-to-peer collaboration will not look the same as in other courses. Although you*are welcome and encouraged to discuss general course materials with your fellow classmates, it is expected that you complete thereadings, daily quizzes, discussion questions, term projects, and exams on your own. Please respect and uphold the Honor Code.More information on UM’s academic policies and procedures:http://archive.umt.edu/catalog/14_15/academics/academic-policy-procedure.phpGrading policyProject 1: 10% || Project 2: 15%Daily Quizzes: 20% || Discussion Questions: 10%Midterm Exams: 30% (3 x 10%) || Final Exam: 15%Late assignments will not be accepted. It is recommended that you begin assignments early and keep track of due dates. Dailyquizzes will be graded, but you may re-take them as many times as you like, and I will only keep your highest scores. Responses toDiscussion Questions will not be graded for specific content, but they must be on topic and written in complete sentences.Additional Information and resourcesStudent Academic Resources*Disability Services for Students (DSS): http://www.umt.edu/dss/*The Writing Center: http://www.umt.edu/writingcenter/*Office for Student Success: http://www.umt.edu/oss/*Career Services: http://www.umt.edu/career/*Mansfield Library: http://www.lib.umt.edu*Student Health and Wellbeing*Curry Health Center (mental health, physical health, pharmacy, health promotion): http://www.umt.edu/curry-health-center/*Campus Recreation: http://www.umt.edu/crec/*DiverseU: http://www.umt.edu/diverseu/*Student Activity Groups: http://www.umt.edu/asum/student_groups/*

GEO 107N.50: Natural Disasters

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GEO 107N.50: Natural Disasters

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