NATS-101
(Sections 30, 31H) Introduction to Global Change (3cr)- Spring 2006
MWF
12-12:50, Space Sciences 308 [NO
FOOD OR DRINK IN CLASSROOM]
Instructor:
Prof. Steve Leavitt
Lab.
of Tree-Ring Research
Room
218 W. Stadium (west side of Football stadium- up stairs to second level at
Gate 15)
phone: 621-6468;
e-mail: sleavitt@ltrr.arizona.edu
Office hours: MW
TA’s: Rebecca Franklin (rebecca@ltrr.arizona.edu)
F 11-12am, 1-2pm room 330 SS; Jason
Field jpfield@Ag.arizona.edu MW
11-12 330 SS; Kathryn Mauz (kmauz@email.arizona.edu) W1-2pm, 330 SS; John Logan (jlogan@email.arizona.edu)
M 1-2pm 330 SS; Ashley Coles coles@email.arizona.edu and all TAs will
arrange office hours by appointment
Readings: Required
Textbook, Our Changing Planet, by
F.T. Mackenzie, Prentice-Hall, 3rd Ed. 2003
Required
and optional Web Readings; handouts
Homework: Announced
in class
Course
Content: Global Change Science is a rapidly developing multidisciplinary
field which addresses (a) the natural operation of Earth's atmosphere,
biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, (b) the natural and human-induced
("anthropogenic") mechanisms by which these systems may be altered,
and (c) the nature of the changes. The
consequences of such changes, whether natural or anthropogenic, could clearly
be important to climate, agriculture, commerce, and human health on our
planet. Among the changes with
particularly high popular profiles in the last few decades are "global
warming", "global cooling", "the hole in the ozone",
"desertification", "rainforest destruction",
"meteorite impact catastrophes", and "acid rain". This course focuses primarily on the science
of Earth systems and mechanisms for global change, with more limited analysis
of the socio-political implications and responses to global change. It is the science that lays the groundwork
for our understanding of global change issues and that may help us make better
planning decisions. A substantial introduction
to physical and chemical characteristics of Earth systems is advanced in this
class as a prelude to a more complete and thoughtful analysis of major global
change issues. In addition to learning
the principles and jargon of global change science, emphasis is placed on
developing writing skills.
Attendance and make-ups:
Daily class attendance is expected. There are no make-ups on quizzes and in-class writing, but make-ups
are possible on exams with a valid excuse- Notify us on or before the day of
the exam depending on the nature of the crisis.
NOTE: Final Exam is on Friday, May 5,
2pm-4pm in 308 Space Sciences, and will ONLY be given at that time.
Grading: Mid-term
Exam 15%
Final
Exam 15% (your average of
all 6 quizzes can be use for final exam grade)
Quizzes
30% [20-30 minutes followed by
lecture; only the highest 4 counted (2 in each half of the semester)]
Group
activities 15%, writing project 15%, in-class writing 5%
Other
5% (listserve,
attendance/participation, homework)
31H students will have a
large fraction of “group activities” and “other”category grades related to
their special roles in them
The following are guaranteed grades
(although the lower boundaries of each subdivision may be lowered a few tenths
depending on final grade distribution: A
(90-100%), B (80-90), C (60-80), D (50-60), E (<50)
Field Trip:
An optional field trip on Saturday, March 25, from 8am to about 6pm will
examine global change-related issues in the region south of Tucson, including
natural vegetation and grazing, agriculture, mining and water resources. This is an excellent opportunity to examine
global change-related issues up close, and is worth up to 5 extra-credit points. There will be about 40 seats
available for the field trip (call for serious participants will be announced
in late January).
Extra Credit:
Relevant and approved TV
specials (NOVA, Discovery Channel), special talks/lectures, popular movies can
be viewed and journal/magazine articles read after which a 1-page double-spaced
typewritten summary/critique must be submitted within 1 week of opportunity, 1
EC point each. NOTE: Only 2 extra points may be earned after April 14 and
before 5pm on May 3, and none after May 3.
Instructor will advertise some opportunities, and you are encouraged
to find others but you must obtain approval from instructors before
attempting to use them for extra credit.
In addition to up to 5 EC points for field trip, several responsible,
motivated, astute students will be able to earn up to 5 EC points as group
heads (not 31H students). Max. total ExtraCredit is 7 points (including any combination of
field trip plus other extra credit options), and will be added on to your final
class grade average.
E-mail Account:
If you do not already have an e-mail account, you will need to have one
by Jan. 27. You can create your own
account through CCIT’s web site. Send e-mail to Rebecca (subject=“Nats101 email”) before Jan. 25 at
Cheating and Plagiarism:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, including cheating on
quiz/exams, copying assignments, and presenting the work of others as your own
(plagiarism). Anyone cheating, plagiarizing or violating any other aspect of
the code of academic integrity will be assigned the grade of “E” for the course
and may be reported to University officials for disciplinary action. Policies
and procedures in the Code of Conduct can be viewed at http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/
Misc: Unless explicitly requested by
Instructors, assignment submitted by e-mail attachment will not be
accepted.
Sorry, neither I nor anyone else
in the class wants to hear your cell
phone ringing- turn it off!
If you are on sports team, leave
a photocopy of your absence excuse with the Instructors during lecture.
For any other special needs,
bring Instructors your paperwork and/or explain circumstances to Prof. Leavitt.
Syllabus
is subject to change as announced in class; additional announcements, assignments and
information will also be posted on listserv and course web site (http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/nats101/)
Note: (1) Impromptu writing exercises may be done
in any class, and are not formally indicated in syllabus below,
(2)
Additional web reading resources will be announced in class,
(3)
Homeworks can be assigned in class that are not formally indicated below
Date Topic Mackenzie
Readings/A,B…X=Web
Jan. 11
Jan. 13 F
The Epic Story: Pre-Historical Framework- Origins 197-221;
A, B
Jan. 16
M MLK Jr. Day- no class
Jan. 18 W
Pre-Historical Framework- Evolution "
; A
Jan. 20 F
Our Physically Dynamic Solid Earth 11-35/43-69,
C
Jan. 23 M
Our Physically Dynamic Solid Earth "
Jan. 25 W (QUIZ) Our Atmosphere-
An
Jan. 27 F
In-class group activity
Jan. 30 M
Our Atmosphere- An
Feb. 1 W
Our Atmosphere- Electromagnetic Radiation and Energy Balance 72-78; A
Feb. 3 F
Our Atmosphere- Changing Chemical Composition 75-96;
D
Feb. 6 M
Our Hydrosphere- Hydrologic Cycle 99-120;
E
Feb. 8 W
Our Hydrosphere- Composition and Currents "
Feb. 10 F
In-class group activity
Feb. 13 M
Our Hydrosphere- ITCZ and El Nino 120-133
Feb. 15 W (QUIZ) Earth's Biosphere 36-38/135-169
Feb. 17 F
Earth's Biosphere "
Feb. 20 M
Earth's Biosphere "; F, G
Feb. 22 W
Geochemical Cycles 171-193
Feb. 24 F In-class group activity "
Feb. 27 M
Carbon Cycle Begin
Writing Project 171-193
Mar. 1 W
Carbon Cycle "
Mar. 3 F (QUIZ) Population and Resources 225-263
Mar. 6 M
Population and Resources "
Mar. 8 W- MID-TERM EXAM
Mar. 10 F
no class- work on individual writing projects "
Mar.11-18 Spring Break
Date Topic Mackenzie
Readings
Mar. 20 M
Population and Resources 225-263
Mar. 22 W
Terrestrial Vegetation Changes References
& Brief outline Stage 1 is due 265-298
Mar. 24 F Terrestrial Vegetation Changes "
Mar.
25 Sat. Class Field Trip, optional, (vegetation and grazing, agriculture,
mining, water)
Mar. 27 M
Degradation of Soil and Water Resources 301-340
Mar. 29 W
Degradation of Soil and Water Resources
"
Mar. 31 F
In-class group activity "
Apr. 3 M (QUIZ) Acid Precipitation 343-366
Apr. 5 W
Smog and Tropospheric Ozone Writing
project Stage 2 is due
366-371
Apr. 7 F
Tropospheric Ozone 371-380, 466-469
Apr. 10 M
Stratospheric Ozone 466-483
Apr. 12 W Enhanced Greenhouse Effect 419-466
Apr. 14 F In-class group activity "
Apr. 17 M (QUIZ) Enhanced
Greenhouse Effect "
Apr. 19 W Enhanced Greenhouse Effect Writing project Stage 2 is
returned "
Apr. 21 F Past Global Climate 383-416
Apr. 24 M Factors Influencing Climate 385-397
Apr. 26 W Human Dimensions of Global
Change Final version of writing
project Stage 3 is due 487-506
Apr. 28 F (QUIZ) In-class group
activity "
May 1 M Human Dimensions of Global Change "
May 3 W (last day of classes) Catch-up and Wrap-up
May
5 (Fri) 2-4pm FINAL EXAM at regular classroom in 308 Space Sciences
Class Web Page: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/nats101/
A= Thermodynamics,
B= Cerceo, The fragile existence of civilization: Are
we tempting fate with acid precipitation and global warming? American Lab.
April 2001.
1st and 3rd page are most relevant to our class.
C= Smith,
In praise of petroleum? Science 298: 147 (2002)
D= Eilperin, Debate on Climate Shifts to Issue of Irreparable Change.
E= Benford, Climate Controls. ReasonOnLine 1997
Code of Academic
Integrity: http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/
Syllabus Study Questions
AT LEAST TWO OF THESE QUESTIONS WILL BE ON THE
FIRST QUIZ
True/False
1. Four of 6
quiz grades will be thrown out, and only your 2 highest will count toward final
grade. (F)
2. With a valid
excuse and advance notice, it may be possible to make up an exam. (T)
3. The final
exam will only be given on Friday May 5 from 2pm to 4pm. (T)
4. Amazing as it
may sound, it will be possible to pass this course with a final grade of 50.5%
(D). (T)
5. You will
lose credit when you miss specified deadlines. (T)
6. Assignments
submitted by e-mail attachment will not be accepted, unless
specifically requested. (T)
7. Your
cell-phone must be turned off during class. (T)
8. The final
exam will be in Room 653 of Old Main. (F)
9. If a quiz is
given at the beginning of class, unless announced otherwise, there will be a
lecture that follows. (T)
10.
You are encouraged to bring a lunch or a snack to eat in class because we meet
at noon. (F- no food or drink, except water)
Fill In the Blank
11. You must
send an e-mail to Rebecca by _______ to get full credit for being added to the
class listserve. (5pm Jan 25)
12. You can
earn up to _____ extra credit points toward your final grade. (7)
13. The
Instructor’s office is in the west side of _______________________ (building),
up the stairs at Gate
15. (Football Stadium)
Multiple Choice
14. Poor attendance,
failure to sign up for listserve by deadline, and lack of participation in
listserve can result in reduction of points in the ______ grade category.
A. “exam” B. “quizzes” C. “homework” D.
“other” (D)