NATS-101 (Sections 31, 45H) Introduction to Global Change (3cr)- Spring 2005

                                              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:  MWF 9-10am; and by appointment; e-mail queries tend to be answered rapidly

TA’s:       Ana Mosor Kursinski (mosor@atmo.arizona.edu) MW 1-2pm room 330 SS; April Chiriboga (aprilc@geo.arizona.edu) M11-noon, F1-2pm SS 330; John Logan (jlogan@email.arizona.edu) WF 11am-noon  SS 330, and all TAs 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:  Regular 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 13, 11am-1pm 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)]

                                In-class activities, writing, and homework 35% (45H students will have greater role in these activities)

                                Other 5% (listserv, attendance/participation, GC IQ Quiz)

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 26, from 8am to about 7pm 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 and a 1-page double-spaced typewritten summary/critique can be submitted within 1 week of opportunity, 1 EC point each. NOTE: Only 2 extra points may be earned after April 15 and before May 4 (none after May 4).  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 45H 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 John Logan before Jan. 25 at 5 pm to indicate your preferred e-mail address for class messages.  Failure to provide e-mail account for listserve will result in loss of points in the “Other” category, and perhaps cascade to loss of points in other areas (as will failure to provide other requested information or complete other special tasks).

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=Web

Jan. 12  W  Bookeeping; Introduction; Global Change IQ.                                                                                           pp. 1-8

 

Jan. 14 F  The Epic Story: Pre-Historical Framework- Origins                                                                                       197-221; A, B

 

Jan. 17 M  MLK Jr. Day- no class

 

Jan. 19 W  Pre-Historical Framework- Evolution                                                                                                                    " ; A

 

Jan. 21 F  Our Physically Dynamic Solid Earth                                                                                                                11-35/43-69, C

 

Jan. 24 M  Our Physically Dynamic Solid Earth                                                                                                                "

 

Jan. 26 W (QUIZ) Our Atmosphere- An Ocean of Air                                                                                                  75-96

 

Jan. 28 F  In-class group activity

 

Jan. 31 M  Our Atmosphere- An Ocean of Air                                                                                                                  "

 

Feb. 2 W  Our Atmosphere- Electromagnetic Radiation and Energy Balance                                                            72-78; A

 

Feb. 4 F  Our Atmosphere- Changing Chemical Composition                                                                                      75-96

 

Feb. 7 M  Our Hydrosphere- Hydrologic Cycle                                                                                                              99-120

 

Feb. 9 W  Our Hydrosphere- Composition and Currents                                                                                                  "; D

 

Feb. 11 F  In-class group activity

 

Feb. 14 M  Our Hydrosphere- ITCZ and El Nino                                                                                                            120-133; E

 

Feb. 16 W (QUIZ)  Earth's Biosphere                                                                                                                               36-38/135-169

 

Feb. 18 F  Earth's Biosphere                                                                                                                                                 "

 

Feb. 21 M  Earth's Biosphere                                                                                                                                               "

 

Feb. 23 W  Geochemical Cycles                                                                                                                                         171-193

 

Feb. 25 F In-class group activity                                                                                                                                        

 

Feb. 28 M  Carbon Cycle                                                    Begin Writing Project                                                       171-193

 

Mar. 2 W  Carbon Cycle                                                                                                                                                       "

 

Mar. 4 F (QUIZ)  Population and Resources                                                                                                                   225-263

 

Mar. 7 M  Population and Resources                                                                                                                                 "

 

Mar. 9 W- MID-TERM EXAM

 

Mar. 11 F  no class- work on individual writing projects                                                                                                 "

 

Mar.12-20 Spring Break

 

Date                        Topic                                                                                                                                      Mackenzie Readings

 

Mar. 21 M  Population and Resources                                                                                                                             225-263

 

Mar. 23 W  Terrestrial Vegetation Changes                    References & Brief outline due                                        265-298

 

Mar. 25 F  Terrestrial Vegetation Changes                                                                                                                        "

 

    Mar. 26 Sat. Class Field Trip, optional, (vegetation and grazing, agriculture, mining, water)

 

Mar. 28 M  Degradation of Soil and Water Resources                                                                                                  301-340

 

Mar. 30 W  Degradation of Soil and Water Resources                                                                                                   "

 

Apr. 1 F  In-class group activity                                                                                                                                          "

 

Apr. 4 M (QUIZ)  Acid Precipitation                                Writing project turned in                                                  343-366

 

Apr. 6 W  Smog and Tropospheric Ozone                                                                                                                       366-371

 

Apr. 8 F  Tropospheric Ozone                                                                                                                                371-380, 466-469

 

Apr. 11 M  Stratospheric Ozone                                                                                                                                        466-483

 

Apr. 13 W Enhanced Greenhouse Effect                                                                                                                         419-466

 

Apr. 15 F In-class group activity                       Revised writing assignment returned                                                "

 

Apr. 18 M (QUIZ) Enhanced Greenhouse Effect                                                                                                               "

 

Apr. 20 W Enhanced Greenhouse Effect                                                                                                                            "

 

Apr. 22 F Past Global Climate                             Final version of writing assignment due                                       383-416

 

Apr. 25 M Factors Influencing Climate                                                                                                                            385-397

 

Apr. 27 W Human Dimensions of Global Change                                                                                                          487-506

 

Apr. 29 F (QUIZ) In-class group activity                                                                                                                           "

 

May 2 M Human Dimensions of Global Change                                                                                                              "

 

May 4 W (last day of classes) Catch-up and Wrap-up

 

May 13 (Fri)  11-1 FINAL EXAM  at regular classroom in 308 Space Sciences

 

 

Class Web Page: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/nats101/

 

A= Thermodynamics, Newton’s Laws, Atom, Electromagnetism Web Page: http://www.ic.arizona.edu/~nats101/

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= Benford, Climate Control. Reasononline 1997.

E= Pentagon's Weather Nightmare, Fortune Magazine (website), Jan. 26, 2004

 

Code of Academic Integrity:  http://w3.arizona.edu/~studpubs/policies/cacaint.htm
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.

 

2. With a valid excuse and advance notice, it may be possible to make up an exam.

 

3. The final exam will only be given on Friday May 13 from 11am to 1pm.

 

4. Amazing as it may sound, it will be possible to pass this course with a final grade of 50.5% (D).

 

5. You will lose credit when you do not turn in homework (and other assignments) by the specified deadline.

 

6. Assignment submitted by e-mail attachment will not be accepted, unless specifically requested.

 

7. Your cell-phone must turned off during class.

 

8. The final exam will be in Room 653 of Old Main.

 

9. If a quiz is given at the beginning of class, unless announced otherwise, there will be a lecture that follows.

 

10. You are encouraged to bring a lunch or a snack to eat in class because we meet at noon.

 

Fill In the Blank

11. You must send an e-mail to John by _______ to get full credit for being added to the class listserve.

 

12. You can earn up to _____ extra credit points toward your final grade.

 

13. The Instructor’s office is in the west side of _______________________ (building), up the stairs at Gate 15.

 

Multiple Choice

14. Poor attendance, failure to take “global change IQ test”, 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”