GC-170A, Lec 01+02  Fall 2015
 INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL CHANGE 
Instructor:  Dr. Katie Hirschboeck     
 

Lec 01+02: Mon + Wed  2:00 - 3:15 pm Bio West Room 301

ALSO READ & KNOW THE COURSE POLICIES AT:
 SYLLABUS -PART II
 The COURSE FAQ "Frequently Asked Questions"

WHAT TEXTBOOKS DO I NEED?

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:  Bryant Bannister Tree-Ring Building, Room 319  See location:  MAP
Phone: 621-6466 (has answering machine)   Email:  katie@LTRR.arizona.edu

Dr. H's Office Hours:  TBA  OR  by special appointment  in my office, room 319  in the Bannister Tree-Ring Building. 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)   

Ryan Lee (Arid Lands with a Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Minor) Ryan Lee is a PhD candidate in Arid Lands Resource Sciences. His research focuses on how water management decisions affect communities and ecosystems, and how feedbacks from these components in-turn affect the system as a whole. His main study site is a ranching community in Sonora, Mexico. He is a UA alumnus with undergraduate degrees in environmental science and interdisciplinary studies. He holds a dual-MA from American University in natural resources and sustainable development-international affairs.      Email: rhlee@email.arizona.edu
Ryan's Office Hours:  TBA

Diana Zamora-Reyes  (Hydrology & Water Resources with a Global Change Minor)  Diana is from El Paso, Texas. She is a PhD student in the Hydrology and Water Resources  program. Her bachelor's degree is in Environmental Geoscience from the University of Texas at El Paso and her Master's degree is in Hydrology. Her research focuses on incorporating climate into flood frequency analysis and finding ways of implementing this approach into an adaptation strategy for decision makers.   Email: dzamorareyes@email.arizona.edu
Diana's Office Hours:  Mon & Wed 12:30 - 1:30 pm

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:  https://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/kkh/natsgc/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:

	THE SCIENCE OF GLOBAL CHANGE #E eBOOK PACKAGE   (Required) (Be sure you purchase the shrink-wrapped package)  Cost: $49.50 available at ASUA bookstore:                               Find it on the shelves in the basement under the author KUMP
	Dire Predictions Shrink-wrapped with    Science of Global Change 3E eBook Student ACCESS Code Card by Michael E. Mann & Lee R. Kump (2015) 2nd edition   This card contains your personal Access Code to the KUMP Science of Global Change eBook, a custom electronic textbook arranged specifically for our course.  This eBook is the PRINCIPLE text.
	Directions on how to use the access code to register online and open up the eBook are posted at QUICK LINKS The Science of Global Change E-Book Package is available for purchase in the basement of the ASUA Bookstore; locate it on the shelves under the author KUMP.
		Class Notes Packet (REQUIRED ) -- A packet that includes notes for each class period and additional information to supplement the course is also required (cost will be about $13).  When they are available you will find them on the Class Notes shelves under the course #: GC 170A1
	OR	ResponseWare License OR TurningTechnologies Response Card (REQUIRED)  -- The ResponseWare software works on your computer, tablet, or smartphone -- or you can purchase a Response Card device ("clicker") 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 "clicker responses" a lot this semester and part of your grade will be based on clicker responses.   Find out all about the Response Card (Clickers) and ResponseWare by clicking HERE The clicker devices ("Response Cards") are available in the basement of the ASUA Bookstore and cost about $50 new and $40 used.  You can also purchase them online for less $ but you will have to wait for them to be shipped to you. Alternatively, if you have a smartphone, tablet, or laptop that you bring to class regularly, you can purchase a ResponseWare license (1 year license for about $15,  4 year license for about $35) and install it on your device. Directions on how to get a license for ResponseWare can be found HERE. Directions on how to register your clicker or ResponseWare Device ID are posted on our GC 170A1 D2L website under Clicker Registration "How To"
	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 Computing on Campus online resources at: http://uits.arizona.edu/studentservices 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 of the total possible points in the class, distributed as follows. The standard letter grade cutoffs are:  A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), E (<60%)

GRADED ACTIVITIES Individual % Group %  Weekly online Readiness Quizzes   8 graded plus "practice" quizzes 8% -- In-Class Tests  ( 4 combined individual + group tests) 15% 5% Midterm Exam 20% -- Final Exam     20% -- Group Assignments  (in-class)  weekly at variable weights -- 5% Individual Short Writing Assignments  ~ 5 during semester at variable weights 15% -- Linking-to-Life Term Project    ( multi-part project distributed throughout semester) 10%   Participation (“clicker points”) 2% -- Occasional  Bonus points (extra) (extra) TOTAL POINTS    (100 % POSSIBLE)    90% 10%

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." "Collaborative 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 for the most part.  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.  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 academic major or everyday life.    You can find assignment details, instructions, and due dates in D2L as the semester progresses at the Assignment link in D2L.
 

LETTER GRADE GUIDELINES

Your final LETTER GRADE for this course will be based on the % earned of all possible points in the class.  The standard 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:  https://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/kkh/natsgc/faq.htm

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