ES302 Quantitative Methods in Earth Science

Class Syllabus (Adobe Acrobat Format)

ES302 Spring 2014 Class Syllabus

2013-2014 Finals Schedule

Bulletin Board **Check Here for Class News and Events**

Final Grades are Complete - Have a Good Summer Break
Click here for final grade sheet

Final Practicum / Quiz Wednesday June 11, 12 PM, NS218
Final Lab Portfolio Checklist - Moodle Upload Due Thursday June 12

Quick Links to Midterm Lab Exercises Spring 2014
Week 1
  • Unit Algebra Exercise
  • Intro to Map Scales
  • Intro to Topgraphic Maps
  • Map Scale Problem (part 2)

    Week 2
  • Intro Problem Set: Solving Geologic Problems
  • Exercise: Applying Algebra to Practical Hydrology Problems

    Week 3
  • Map Measurement and Location Exercise Using Engineer's Scale and Protractor
  • Map Projections - UTM Map Location Exercise
  • Overview of Analog Map Measurements Using an Engineer's Scale
  • Instructions for Making Acrobat PDF Files and Compiling a Digital Lab Report

    Week 4
  • Student Worksheet for Determining Pace and Ocular Height
  • Introduction to Scaling and Map Drawing
  • Classroom Mapping Exercise

    Week 5
  • Introduction to Brunton Compass Lab Exercise (NEW Spring 2013)
  • Tape and Compass Exercise - Surveying Campus Locations
  • Relationships Between Geologic Variables

    Week 6
  • Instructions for Making Acrobat PDF Files and Compiling a Digital Lab Report
  • In-Class Trig Map / Strike-Dip Exercise

    Week 7
  • In-Class Strike and Dip Exercise
  • Pittsburgh Coal Three-Point Problem
  • Introduction to Three-Point Problem

    Week 8
  • Application of Trigonometry to Geologic Problems
  • Introduction to Contouring and Digital Elevation Models
  • Introduction to Contour Drawing and Interpolation
  • Introduction to Triangulation

    Week 9
  • Measuring Scaled Map Areas Using a Planimeter
  • Watershed Delineation and Measurement
  • Introduction to Rose Plots
  • Application of Ternary Diagrams to Geologic Problems

    Week 10
  • Introduction to Grapher Tutorial
  • Introduction to Surfer Tutorial Part 1
  • Introduction to Surfer Tutorial Part 2

  • Using Surfer to Build Digital Elevation Models
    Oregon 7.5-min DEM's Web Link (Surfer Exercise)
    Monmouth 7.5-min. 10-m DEM (*.zip compressed file format)
    Marys Peak 7.5-min. 10-m DEM (*.zip compressed file format)
    Dallas 7.5-min. 10-m DEM (*.zip compressed file format)

  • Using Surfer to Build Lidar-Based Digital Elevation Models
    WOU Campus 1-m Lidar-Based DEM First Returns (surfer *.grd format)
    WOU Campus 1-m Lidar-Based DEM Bare Earth (surfer *.grd format)
    Instructions for Converting ESRI ASCII Grid Format to Surfer Grid Format (Header Edits)

    Class Notes

    The class notes are organized according to their order of occurrence throughout the term. They are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) Format. Acrobat Reader is invoked as a plug-in within the web browser environment. It is available on most machines at WOU. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free by returning to Taylor's Home Page

    Exam study guides will be included as the term progresses. Please check future postings as exam time approaches

    Introductory Math and Algebra Review

  • Reference List of Standard Algebraic, Geometric and Trigonometric Formulas

  • Units of Angular Measurement

  • Guidelines for Quantitative Problem Solving
  • Intro to Unit Conversion and Dimensional Analysis (Schoenfeld)

    Introduction to the Brunton Compass and Compass Surveys
  • NOAA National Geophysical Data Center - Magnetic Declination Calculator

    Review of Maps / Topographic Maps

    Overview of Analog Map Measurements Using an Engineer's Scale

    Application of Trigonometric Analysis to Geologic Problems
  • Text Chapter 5 - Trigonometric Problems

    Overview of Map Digitizing Software and Image Processing (Tutorial)

    Overview of Graphing Techniques and Regression

    Overview of Grapher Software Package
  • Introductory Grapher Tutorial


    • Introduction to Contouring and Digital Elevation Models

    Overview of Surfer Mapping Software Package
  • Introductory Surfer Tutorial Part 1

  • Introductory Surfer Tutorial Part 2


    • Reading: Introduction to Geostatistics and Data Analysis


    Microsoft Office Training Resources

    Introduction to MS Excel 1997-2003 (from Dr. Fay-Wolfe, University of Rhode Island)
    Excel 1997-2003 Getting Started

    Introduction to Office 2007

    Excel 2007 Tutorial
  • Excel 2007 Data Table Notes
  • Example Excel Spreadsheet
  • Excel 2007 Proficiency Exercise
  • Excel 2007 Online Help Documentation (Univ. Wisconsin Eau Claire)

    MS Access Database Tutorial
  • Example Access Database (*.zip)

    Powerpoint 2007 Tutorial

    Lab Exercises

    Conversion Tables
  • Units of Angular Measurement

  • Guidelines for Quantitative Problem Solving
  • Intro to Unit Conversion and Dimensional Analysis (Schoenfeld)

    Link to Online Custom / Printable Graph Paper
  • 10 x 10 (10 lines/inch) Graph Paper
  • Triangular Grid Graph Paper
  • Polar Plot-Rose Graph Paper

    Unit Algebra Exercise

    Intro to Map Scales

    Intro to Topgraphic Maps

    Map Scale Problem (part 2)

    Large-Scale Format Photo Exercise (Vintage WOU Campus Photo)

    Map Measurement and Location Exercise Using Engineer's Scale and Protractor

    Map Projections - UTM Map Location Exercise

    Measuring Scaled Map Areas Using Planimeter
  • Planix 7 Planimeter Instructions - Map Area Measurement with Planimeter
  • Quick Guide - Map Area Measurement with Planimeter

    Student Worksheet for Determining Pace and Ocular Height

    Introduction to Scaling and Map Drawing

    Classroom Mapping Exercise

    Relationships Between Geologic Variables

    Introduction to Brunton Compass Lab Exercise (NEW Spring 2013)

    Tape and Compass Exercise - Surveying Campus Locations
  • National Geophysical Data Center - Magnetic Declination Calculator
  • WOU Campus Base Map - UTM (meters)

    Brunton Navigator / GPS User Guide

    Watershed Delineation and Drainage Area Measurement
  • Planix 7 Planimeter Instructions
  • Watershed Sketch Map - Planimeter Practice Sheet

    Introduction to Triangulation Exercise
  • Base Map for Triangulation Problem

    Intro Problem Set: Solving Geologic Problems

    Exercise: Applying Algebra to Practical Hydrology Problems

    Intro to Spreadsheets, MS Excel, and Geologic Data Analysis

    Application of Excel to a Climate Problem

    Application of Excel to an Alluvial Fan Problem

    In-Class Trig Map / Strike-Dip Exercise

    Introduction to the Three Point Problem
    Three Point Problem (Pittsburgh Coal)

    Application of Ternary Diagrams to Geologic Problems

    Introduction to Rose Diagrams

    Introduction to Contour Drawing /Interpolation (Spring 2011)

    Using Surfer to Build Digital Elevation Models
  • Oregon 7.5-min DEM's Web Link (Surfer Exercise)
  • Monmouth 7.5-min. 10-m DEM (*.zip compressed file format)
  • Marys Peak 7.5-min. 10-m DEM (*.zip compressed file format)
  • Dallas 7.5-min. 10-m DEM (*.zip compressed file format)

    Using Surfer to Build Lidar-Based Digital Elevation Models
  • WOU Campus 1-m Lidar-Based DEM First Returns (surfer *.grd format)
  • WOU Campus 1-m Lidar-Based DEM Bare Earth (surfer *.grd format)
  • Instructions for Converting ESRI ASCII Grid Format to Surfer Grid Format (Header Edits)

    Intro to Geostatistics and Data Analysis

    Introduction to Data Analysis via Hillslope Morphometry

    Introduction to Rockworks Tutorial

    Final Integrated Lab Project

    Digital Lab Report Submission Instructions

    Upload Instructions:

    (1) Clicking on the link at the end of this section will take you to a web-based course management software called "Moodle".
    (2) Once at the site, choose the "Login" option at the upper right of the page.
    (3) Enter your WOU student server username (the one you use for WOU email or to get to your "H:\" drive).
    (4) Enter the last four digits of your student ID V-no. for the password (unless if you have already changed it).
    (5) Once you are logged in, look for the "Change Password" icon...but DON'T FORGET IT.
    (6) Scroll down your list of online classes to ES473 Environmental Geology; you are automatically enrolled in the Moodle course with your class registration.
    (7) Scroll to the topic/assignment section, and begin the submission process.
    (9) Make sure you print hard copies and make back-up files of your lab report materials; save back up files!

    Note: Pay attention to the availability and due dates.

    Click Here to Go to Moodle and the ES302 Class Page

    Instructions for Making Acrobat PDF Files and Compiling a Digital Lab Report

  • Click Here for Example Lab Portfolio (Format yours like this with cover page, table of contents, individual exercise title pages)

    Instructions for WOU Terminal Server Access from Home

    Lab Data

    Link to Online Custom / Printable Graph Paper
  • 10 x 10 (10 lines/inch) Graph Paper
  • Blank Polar / Rose Graph Paper
  • Blank Ternary Graph Paper

    Intro to Excel Data Set (Excel Spreadsheet)

    Oregon Weather Station Locations (Excel Spreadsheet)
    Oregon Climate Zone 1 (Coastal) Precipitation Data (Excel Spreadsheet)
    Oregon Climate Zone 2 (Willamette Valley) Precipitation Data (Excel Spreadsheet)
    Oregon Climate Zone 4 (High Cascades) Precipitation Data (Excel Spreadsheet)
    Oregon Climate Zone 7 (High Lava Plains) Precipitation Data (Excel Spreadsheet)

    Alluvial Fan Exercise Data (Excel Spreadsheet)

    Ternary Diagram Exercise - Swauk Sandstone Pointcount Data (Excel Spreadsheet)

    Data Analysis Tutorial (MS Excel Spreadsheet)

    Locations of US Cities (MS Excel *.xls)

    Click Here for Excel Lat-Lon Decimal Degree to Deg-Min-Sec Conversion Formula (MS Excel *.xls)

    Appalachian Slope Data (MS Excel Spreadsheet)

    Final Project Data

    Download Mt. Bachelor USGS 10-m Digital Elevation Model (DEM - *.zip compressed file)
    Download Mt. Bachelor USGS Digital Raster Graphic (DRG - *.zip compressed file)
    Appalachian Morphometry Data (Excel Workbook)
    Fracture Orientation Data (Excel Workbook)
    Mt. Bachelor X-Y-Z Elevation Data (Text File)
    Newberry Cinder Cone Data (Excel Workbook)

    Lab Answer Keys

    Key - Introduction to Brunton Compass
    Key - Determining Scale for Map Drawing
    Homework 1 Answer Key - Waltham Ch. 1 Intro to Geologic Problems
    Homework 2 Answer Key - Waltham Ch. 2 Geological Variables
    Homework 3 Answer Key - Waltham Ch. 3 Equation Manipulation
    Homework 4 Answer Key - Waltham Ch. 5 Trigonometric Applications
    Answer Key: Tape and Compass Exercise / Surveying Campus Locations
    Three-Point Problem (Pittsburgh Coal) Answer Key
    Final Project Answer Key

    Lab Portfolio and Final Project Instructions

    Midterm Lab Portfolio Checklist - Moodle Upload Due Friday May 9, 2014

    Final Lab Portfolio Checklist - Moodle Upload Due Thursday June 12