Dr. Stefanie Brachfeld, 253 Mallory, 973-655-5129
Earth & Enviromental Science, 973-655-4448,
Office Hrs: W 1-2:30, and by appointment
e-mail: brachfelds@mail.montclair.edu,
www.csam.montclair.edu/earth/eesweb/brachfeld/Brachfeld_home.html
Dr. Judy Shillcock, 124 Science Hall, 973-655-7172
Biology & Molecular Biology, 973-655-4397,
Office Hrs: T 10, W 11:30, R 10, and by appointment
e-mail: shillcockj@mail.montclair.edu
Dr. Mary Lou West, 244 Richardson, 973-655-7266
Mathematical Sciences/Physics, 973-655-5132,
Office Hrs: M 11, T 1, R 11, and by appointment
e-mail: westm@mail.montclair.edu,
www.csam.montclair.edu/~west
Meetings: TR 2:30-3:45 in University Hall 1050, then the Sokol Room (SH-102)
Labs M 1-3 or M 3:15-5:15 in SH-210
Textbook: "Life in the Universe" by J. Bennett, S. Shostak, and B. Jakosky, 2003
| Week | Monday, Professor | Monday Lab | Topic and Readings |
| 1 | R, Sept 6, Brachfeld, Shillcock, West | -- | Why study science?, The scientific method, What is life? |
| LIFE | |||
| 2 | Sept 10, Shillcock | Introduction to Research Projects | Life (membranes), Ch.5 |
| 3 | Sept 17, Shillcock | #1 Procaryotes | Structure and function of procaryotic cells, Ch. 5 |
| 4 | Sept 24, Shillcock | #2 Antibiotic Sensitivity | Structure and function of eucaryotic cells; Origin of eucaryotic cells, viruses, and prions, Ch.5 |
| 5 | Oct 1, Shillcock | #3 Eucaryotes | Biology of Evolution, Ch. 5, Test 1, Thursday, Oct 4 |
| EARTH'S FEATURES | |||
| 6 | Oct 8, Brachfeld | #4 Minerals and igneous rocks | Early Radiometric dating, Earth's early history, Ch. 4 |
| 7 | Oct 15, Brachfeld | #5 Sedimentary rocks and fossils | Rise of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, Snowball Earth, Ch. 4.5, 6.3 |
| 8 | Oct 22, Brachfeld | #6 Plate Tectonics | Plate tectonics, hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, Ch. 4.1-4.4 |
| 9 | Oct 29, Brachfeld | NO LAB (substitute field trip on Nov. 3 ) | Cambrian explosion, mass extinctions, Ch. 6.3, 6.5 Test 2, Thursday, Nov 1 **Geology Field Trip, Saturday, Nov. 3 |
| OTHER BODIES FOR LIFE | |||
| 10 | Nov 5, West | Research update (bring data) | The solar system, Ch.6 |
| 11 | Nov 12, West | #7 Cratering | Mars, Ch. 7 |
| 12 | Nov 19, West | #8 Spectra | Moons of Jupiter, Habitability, Ch. 8, 9.1, THANKSGIVING BREAK |
| 13 | Nov 26, West | #9 Exoplanets | Other solar systems, SETI, Ch. 10, 11, Research paper due Monday Nov 26 |
| 14 | Dec 3, Brachfeld, Shillcock, West | #10 Messages, practice research talks |
Research groups present talks on Tuesday Dec 4, Test 3, Thursday, Dec 6 |
| SYNTHESIS, REVIEW | |||
| 15 | Dec 10, Brachfeld, Shillcock, West | #11 Detection of procaryotic cells on environmental surfaces, Mad Cow video | What is life and where might it be found in the universe?, Review |
Friday, Dec 14, 1:00-3:00 PM, EXAM (cumulative final exam) in the Sokol Room
Dates may change due to unforseen circumstances. Changes will be announced, and it is the responsibility of the student to keep informed.
Course requirements: three tests (October 4, November 1, December 6), final exam (December 14), 10 lab reports, field trip report, 2000-word paper on research project (due November 26), occasional exercises. Attendance at all laboratory sessions and the field trip (Nov. 3) is mandatory, however, the lowest lab grade will be dropped.
Your course grade will be made up of 20% Test 1, 20% Test 2, 20% Test 3, 10% paper, 20% lab reports and class participation, 10% final exam.
This page is www.csam.montclair.edu/~west/honscioutline.html.