Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

San Beda College

SYLLABUS
First Semester, A.Y. 2011-2012

SAN BEDA COLLEGE VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT

San Beda College envisions a community that is fully human, wholly Christian, truly Filipino,
and globally competitive. It aims to form its members in faith (fides), knowledge (scientia), virtue (virtes)
and inculcate in them the Benidictine core values of prayer and work (ora et labora) that include study,
community, and pursuit of peace.

COURSE CODE : ERTSC

COURSE TITLE : Earth Science and the Environment
COURSE CREDIT : Three (3) Units
PREREQUISITE : None
PROFESSOR : Gerard Mark C. Santos
E-MAIL : chotsantos@yahoo.com
CONSULTATION HOURS/VENUE : MWF 1030-1230; TTH 0830-1030 / CAS Faculty Room

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Earth Science and the Environment is a 3-unit course intended for college students who are taking
a portion of their college general requirements. The course will cover basic topics in geology (major
minerals and rock types, rock-forming processes, time scales; temperatures, pressures, compositions,
structure of the Earth, and measurement techniques; geologic structures and relationships observable in
the field; sediment movement and landform development by moving water, wind, and ice; crustal
processes and planetary evolution in terms of global plate tectonics) and astronomy (stars, solar system,
interstellar medium, the galaxy, and the universe). The course will also cover various environmental
issues such as global warming, climate change, geological hazards, pollution, and renewable energies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. Interpret natural phenomena by critical thinking and systematic analysis of facts and observations;
2. Comprehend and analyze the basic concept of physical science;
3. Relate the concept learned to practical application as well as integrate his science know how to other
fields of study to uplift his personal, economic and social status;
4. Conceptualize ways and means to have a cleaner and greener Earth;
5. Appreciate the uniqueness of our planet and inculcate in their minds that the Earth is our only home
and therefore should be given proper care;
6. To raise awareness on the different environmental issues and problems; and
7. To mold responsible individuals who would be stewards of the environment.

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COURSE OUTLINE:

Duration Topic/s Activities Expected Outcomes

Week Orientation The students should be able to:

1-2
Objectives Discussion of Get acquainted with the
Syllabus syllabus, objectives, coverage, grading
Course Requirements classroom system, and requirements of
Grading System policies, the course
Classroom Policies expectations
from the
course

I. Introduction

Science and Concept Be familiar science and their

Technology Mapping relevance to man and the
Scientific Inquiry Lecture environment
Branches of Science Discussion Recognize the diversity of
Graded science and technology to man
Recitation and its environment
Quiz

Weeks II. History of Astronomy Film Showing Explain the various theories
3 and the Universe Lecture about the origin of the universe
Discussion Discuss the relevance of the
Graded cosmic background in the
Recitation study of the universe
Quiz Trace the changes that happen
from birth to the death of a star

Week 4 III. The Planet Earth Film Showing Discuss the different theories
Lecture regarding the origin of the
Origin Discussion earth
Basic Principles Graded Describe the various methods
Recitation used in studying the Earth
Quiz Explain the motions of the
Earth
Describe the geophysical
characteristics the Earth

Week 5-6 IV. Lithosphere

Layers of the Lecture Describe the layers of the

Earth Discussion Earth
Rocks and Graded Explain how rocks are formed
Minerals Recitation and the physical composition
Quiz of the Earth
Discuss the importance of
rocks and minerals

Week 7-8 V. The Earths Internal

Processes

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 Diastrophism Lecture Discuss the various internal
Plate Tectonics Discussion process within the earth
Seismology Graded Describe plate tectonics and
Volcanology Recitation explain how it is related to the
Weathering and Quiz various earth processes
Erosion Explain the causes and effects
of weathering and erosion

Week 9 MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Week VI. Atmosphere
10-11
Composition Lecture Discuss the origin of the
Structure Discussion atmosphere
Weather and Graded Describe the different layers of
Climate Recitation the atmosphere
Quiz Differentiate weather from
climate
Explain the various factors that
affect the weather

Week VII. Hydrosphere

12-13
Composition Lecture Explain the water cycle
Water Cycle Discussion Differentiate the various water
Water Systems Graded systems
Recitation
Quiz

Week VIII. Global Warming Film Describe global warming

14 and Climate Showing Identify the various causes of
Change Lecture climate change
Discussion Discuss the effects of climate
Workshop change to man and his
environment

Week IX. Pollution

15-16
Land Pollution Lecture Discuss the various sources of
Water Pollution Discussion land, water and air pollution
Air Pollution Workshop
Describe the effects of pollution
to man and the environment
Develop an environmental
health plan based on identified
environmental risks and hazards

Week 17 X. Sustainable
Development
Lecture Describe sustainable
Biodiversity Discussion development
and Workshop Identify the status of the various
conservation ecosystems
Renewable Site the various sources of
energy renewable energies
Environmental Identify the pros and cons of
ethics and using renewable energy
policy Describe strategies to achieve
sustainable development
Week 18 FINAL EXAM

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Regular Attendance
2. Class Participation/Recitation
3. Group Activity/Workshop Output
4. Worksheets
5. Quizzes
6. Midterm Examination
7. Final Examination

TEACHING STRATEGIES:

1. Lecture/Discussions
2. Group Activities/Workshops
3. Reporting
4. Film Showing
5. Computer Aided Instruction

GRADING SYSTEM:

Mid-Term: Final Term:

Class Standing 60% Class Standing 50%

Mid-term Exam 40% Mid-term Exam 20%
_____ Final Exam 30%
Total Equivalent 100% 100%

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RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:

Madriaga, E. and Tuiy, F. 2011. A Textbook in Earth Science and the Environment (With
Learning Activities).

REFERENCES:

Lianko, A. 2001. Introduction to Earth Science. Katha Publishing. Company Inc. Quezon, City,
Philippines.

Mc. Connell et.al., The Good Earth. Introduction to Earth Science. Mc. Graw Hill International.
NY. USA

Monroe, J. 2009. The Changing Earth. Exploring Geology & Evolution. Brooks/ Cole. Belmont
CA. USA

Pipkin et al.,.2008..Geology and the Environment. 5th edition. Thomson Higher Education.
Belmont. USA

Sen, G. 2001. Earths Materials. Minerals & Rocks. Prentice Hall. New Jersey.

Skinner, B. and Porter, S. 1995. The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth Science. Wiley and
Sons.

Tarbuck, E. and Lutgens, F. 2004. Earth Science. 10th Ed. Pearson Education South Asia PJE

Thompson, G. and Turk, J. 2007. Earth Science and the Environment. 4th Ed.
Thomson/Brooks/Cole.

ELECTRONIC SOURCES:

http://academicearth.org/
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/earth-atmospheric-and-planetary-sciences/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://geology.com/
http://www.agiweb.org/
http://www.nasa.gov/

Prepared by:

Gerard Mark C. Santos, MPH

Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Recommended by: Approved by:

Prof. Francisco A. Febre, Jr. Dr. Christian Bryan S. Bustamante

Chair Vice Dean
Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences College of Arts and Sciences

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