GC-170A, Lec 01+02 & Lec 03+04 Fall 2011
 INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL CHANGE 
Instructor:  Dr. Katie Hirschboeck     
 

See also the COURSE POLICIES at: The GC-170A FAQ "Frequently Asked Questions"

COURSE DESCRIPTION
  
Introduction to Global Change presents the basics of physical science within the context of global environmental changes (climatic change, global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation, etc.) that impact Earth and its inhabitants. The course involves hands-on activities, discussions, computer exercises, and interactive small-group learning teams.

The course is one of the Tier I General Education natural science course offerings of GC-170A, The Earth and Its Environments, and -- along with its GLOBAL CHANGE topics, includes an overview of four key concepts governing physical and chemical processes: (1) the atomic structure of matter, (2) the role of electromagnetism in nature, (3) the laws of thermodynamics governing energy transfers, and (4) Newton's laws governing force and motion.

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  COURSE OVERVIEW &  DESCRIPTION OF WHO SHOULD ENROLL IN THIS COURSE

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  GOALS & EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THIS COURSE

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  ABOUT THE “LEARNING PHILOSOPHY” UNDERLYING THIS COURSE

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PROFESSOR

Dr. Katie Hirschboeck (Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research).  "Dr. H"  is a climatologist whose research involves linking atmospheric circulation patterns to tree-ring variations, floods, and other extreme events. She also studies the influence of explosive volcanic eruptions on climate.

Office:  Tree-Ring Laboratory, rm 208 West Stadium (go up the stairs at Gate 15 on the west side of the football stadium)   Map with directions to Dr H's office
Phone: 621-6466 (has answering machine)   Email:  katie@LTRR.arizona.edu

Dr. H's Office Hours:  Tuesdays 2:00 -3:00 pm   OR  by special appointment in my office in the Tree-Ring Lab (208 West Stadium).  I also respond to emails -- usually within 24 hours.

NOTE:  To set up an appointment with me, you must arrange it through email.   I am also readily accessible by email on most any day of the week and can usually get a response back to you within 24 hours.

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS (GTA's)   

Rebecca Franklin (Geosciences & Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research with a Global Change minor) is a PhD candidate who works in the alpine eastern Sierra Nevada range of California researching recent climatic and ecological change in above-treeline ecosystems.  She enjoys running, learning the fiddle, constructing art projects and hanging with her family.   Email: rebecca@ltrr.arizona.edu  
Rebecca's Office Hours:  TBA

Laura Marshall  (Natural Resources: Watershed Management & Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research) is a PhD-seeking graduate student studying the effects of topographic and climatic factors over time on tree growth and species distribution in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside Santa Fe, NM. She also knits and spins her own yarn and likes to bike and run.   Email: lamarsh@email.arizona.edu
Laura's Office Hours:  TBA

Kanin Routson (Arid Lands Resource Sciences with a Geography minor) is a PhD Candidate researching horticulture in marginal lands and the historical geography of apple production in the U.S.

GTA office hours & contact information are also posted on the class website under TEACHING TEAM.

UNDERGRADUATE PRECEPTORS

This could be YOU!!  We hope to recruit a group of students enrolled in the class to serve as PRECEPTORS.  Preceptors are undergraduate students who become assistants in the class by helping their fellow students and working closely with the professor and GTA's on a TEACHING TEAM.  It's a great way to learn the material better, get to know the professor, and gain a variety of skills. Looks great on your resume too! Any enthusiastic and self-motivated student is eligible to apply.  PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A PRECEPTOR.  How do you apply to be a preceptor??  Click on "Teaching Team" on the GC-170A Website to learn more and to  access the online preceptor application.   Direct link:  http://fp.arizona.edu/kkh/nats101gc/how.htm To learn more about the program, visit the University Teaching Teams Program webpage at:     http://teachingteams.arizona.edu/

HONORS CREDIT Honors credit is available for this course by enrolling in one of the special Honors Sections (TBA)  and being a preceptor for the class. To learn more about this option online, see the "Teaching Team Links" above or on the GC-170A Website to see what's involved.  Go to How to Become a Preceptor for GC-170A , or CLICK HERE to learn about how to earn Honors Credit by being a Preceptor .  If you have additional questions, contact Dr. H.

REQUIRED TEXTS, COURSE MATERIALS, & COMPUTER ACCESS

 Textbooks  -  The following course materials are REQUIRED:  A Textbook Package (containing one text in electronic format and one in paperpack format -- see below), a class notes packet, and a "clicker" device:

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Textbook Package	THE TEXTBOOK PACKAGE   (REQUIRED) (It contains BOTH required textbooks described below) The cost of the Textbook Package is $45.00 at the ASUA bookstore.  It contains both Textbook #1(the E-Text registration pamphlet) and Textbook #2 (the Dire Predictions paperback)
E-Test registration pamphlet	TEXTBOOK #1 is an electronic text  (E-Text)  --This is a custom electronic textbook arranged specifically for this course.  It is based on a subset of chapters from two much larger (and more expensive!) textbooks.  The E-Text format lowers the cost as much as possible for you, my students!   <=  A pamphlet with registration directions to access the E-Text online comes shrinkwrapped in the Textbook Package (see photos at left). It is labeled PEARSON Online Access.  Please do not discard the pamphlet when you open the package because you will need the code inside to register for online access to the E-Text!  Directions on how to use the access code to register online and open up the E-Text are posted HERE. The title of the E-Text is:   The Science of Global Change - An Introduction.  It includes material from:  The Earth System by Kump, Kasting, & Crane, 3rd Edition (2010)  and Physics Concepts and Connections, by Hobson, 5th Edition (2010).  You will be able to read the E-Text online in the browser of any computer (no Kindle or e-reader needed!).  You will also be able to highlight and attach notes to your E-Text.  (Purchased separately online at Amazon, you would pay $70 (used) to over $90 (new) for the 3rd edition of The Earth System  and  $43 (used) to over $90 (used) for the 5th edition of  Physics Concepts and Connections.)
Dire Predictions text	TEXTBOOK # 2  - Dire Predictions, Understanding Global Warming by Michael E. Mann & Lee R. Kump (2009) -   It comes FREE in the Textbook Package (shrinkwrapped) with the E-Text registration pamphlet for Textbook #1.  This package is located in the basement of the ASU Bookstore on the SHELVES under GC 170A-1.  (It is the only item you can obtain on the shelves. The Class Notes and the clicker are picked up elsewhere in the bookstore basement (see below). (Purchased separately online at Amazon, you would pay ~$8 (used) to over $20 (new) for the  Dire Predictions paperback)
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	Class Notes Packet (REQUIRED ) -- A packet that includes notes for each class period and additional information to supplement the course is also required.
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	TurningTechnologies Response Card (REQUIRED)  -- This is a device that lets you click and send instant responses to questions during class.  You can then find out if your answer was correct and how the rest of the class responded.  We'll be using the "clickers" a lot this semester.  Directions on how to register your clicker for our class are posted HERE.  The cost of the Turning Tech Response Card is about $50, but you will more than likely be using your clicker in several classes at UA -- especially in your general education classes.  Get your clicker in the basement of the ASUA Bookstore in the red bins near the staircase.

Computer & Internet Access  is REQUIRED for this class.  --  To access the e-text and class assignments you'll need internet access & an up-to-date browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc., available in the UA Libraries and UA Information Commons & Campus Computer Labs).  For information on computer access on campus or from home see the Getting Started with Technology at UA online guide at: http://www.oscr.arizona.edu/computer_help/new_student_guide 

Help is also available at all OSCR (Office of Student Computing Resources) Labs & Help Desks on campus -- see: http://www.oscr.arizona.edu/
 

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GRADING CRITERIA 

 IMPORTANT:  See the Course Policies FAQ on the Course Website for the absence policy and all other policies related to the course.  You are expected to know and adhere to these policies.

Your final LETTER GRADE will be based on the % earned 500 possible points in the class, distributed as follows. The probable letter grade cutoffs are:  A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), E (<60%)

** The clicker points will be based on the % of  time you clicked  during all the clicking opportunities of the semester.

 
QUIZZES, TESTS & EXAMS

  Online Readiness Quizzes:  Most weeks during the semester, as we begin a new major topic, you will take online Readiness Quizzes (RQ) in D2L covering the assigned readings. The purpose of these short quizzes is to motivate you to keep up with the material and arrive in class “prepared-to-learn” by having already read and studied the textbook for the topics we will discuss in class.  Prior to taking an online Readiness Quiz, you will have the opportunity to test your comprehension of what you have read and get feedback via ungraded online Self Tests (ST).

          In-Class Tests:  After a related set of topics in class, you will take short In-Class Tests which you will complete both individually and with your group, earning both an individual and group grade.  

          Exams: Lastly there will be an in-class Midterm Exam  and a Final Exam which you will take completely on your own. 
        
These different forms of testing increase in weight from "low stakes" to "high stakes" point totals so you can gain confidence with your understanding of the material as you progress through the different levels of tests from Self Tests to the Final Exam.

       

ASSIGNMENTS

The class will involve both individual and group assignments designed to engage you in the course material and "learn by doing." "Learning Group" assignments (G) will take place in class so you won't have to worry about meeting with your group to complete them outside of scheduled class hours.  Individual assignments (I) will be homework exercises that are done outside of class on your own, often with support and/or follow-up in the classroom.  For example, one of the assignments will be a class Tree-Ring Activity  which will be conducted primarily in the classroom with your group, but for which you'll write-up an individual report at home.  A Personal Project on Linking Global Change Science to Life will give you the opportunity to link one of the course concepts to something that interests you personally in your major or everyday life.    You can find assignment details, instructions, and due dates in D2L as the semester progresses at the Assignment link.
 
 

LETTER GRADE GUIDELINES

Your final LETTER GRADE for this course will be based on the % earned of all possible points in the class.  The probable letter grade cutoffs are:  A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), E (<60%), however these cutoffs are subject to a slight adjustment based on the degree of difficulty of this semester's tests and assignments.  At final grade time, if you are borderline between two letter grades, your effort in the course as reflected in your overall completion of assignments plus any bonus points you may have earned, will all be factored into consideration for the higher letter grade. However, the most critical determinant of whether you've earned the higher final letter grade will be your performance on the Midterm and Final Exams, and especially the essay portion of the Final Exam.  It is on these tests that you will "stand alone" to demonstrate how much you have learned in the course -- which is the ultimate determinant of your grade.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY & COURSE POLICIES

The UA Code of Academic Integrity can be found at: http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/codeofacademicintegrity   You are responsible for knowing it, understanding it, and adhering to it!  NO exceptions!   In addition to the Code, you are responsible for knowing and adhering to all GC-170A Course Policies as specified in the Course FAQ at:  http://fp.arizona.edu/kkh/nats101gc/faq.htm

See especially, COURSE POLICY FAQ # 16 -#18 on Plagiarism and the Code of Academic Integrity