Introduction to Global Change Course

COURSE SCHEDULE

for GC/GEOS/HWR 107a

Lecture & lab topics and relevant dates

(NOTE: Just as global change occurs, this outline will most probably change as we progress through the semester. Updates and revisions will be posted on this 107A Page.)

8/24
Introduction to the Course -- no LAB MEETINGS this week

8/29
On Becoming a Scientist
8/31
On Becoming a Scientist (cont.)
8/31
LAB 1 The Scientist's First Tool: Observation & Introduction to the Global Change Computer Lab

9/5
Basic Introduction to our ``laboratory:'' The Earth
9/7
Earth and Sun relationships
9/7
LAB 2 The Earth from Space: Observations, Hypotheses, and Analog Models

9/12
Earth-Sun Relationships (cont.)
9/14
Earth-Sun (cont.) & Basic Principles of the Physical World
9/14
LAB 3 "How to read a scientific paper" - phase 1

9/19
Basic Principles & Electromagnetic Radiation
9/20
Last day to drop without a W
9/21
Solar Radiation
9/21
LAB 4 Symbolic Representation in Scientific Analysis (formerly referred to as Lab 3)

9/26
Radiation Balance and Fluxes
9/28
Observing the Earth: the Radiation Balance and Temperature
9/28
LAB 5 Activity: Class synthesis, Exam Review

10/3
EXAM 1
10/5
Energy Balance, Water Balance, & Atmospheric moisture
10/5
no LAB because of Field Trip on Saturday
10/7
LAB 6 The Interdisciplinary Field Experiment -- SATURDAY MORNING FIELD TRIP 8:00 am - 1:30 pm

10/10
Moisture and Energy Balances
10/12
Water Vapor, Global Moisture Fluxes and the Role of Clouds
10/12
LAB 7 Using Field Measurements to Calculate, Graph, and Evaluate Processes at the Earth's Surface

10/17
The Role of the Biosphere in Global Change
10/19
Remote Sensing as a tool for studying Global Change
10/19
LAB 8 Instrumentation and Data Collection with Remote Sensing

10/24
Global Vegetation Patterns
10/26
Land Surface-atmosphere Processes and Feedbacks
10/26
LAB 9 Deforestation and Desertification

10/31
Feedbacks (cont.)
11/1
Last day to drop with a W. You must get signature and have a passing grade at time you drop.
11/2
The Global Warming Debate
11/2
LAB 10 Class synthesis and discussion

11/7
EXAM 2
11/9
The Ozone Hole Issue
11/9
LAB 11 Finding & Evaluating Scientific Information

11/14
Atmospheric Circulation and Global Circulation Models
11/16
Atmospheric circulation and pressure patterns
11/16
LAB 12 Atmospheric Circulation -- Textbook and "Real World" Views

11/21
Atmospheric circulation (cont.)
11/23
THANKSGIVING

11/28
Ocean Circulation and El Niño
11/30
Human Dimensions of Global Change: Population
11/30
LAB 13 Understanding, graphing, and calculating exponential growth and world population

12/5
Human Dimensions of Global Change: Population and Resources
12/7
Class wrap-up
12/7
LAB 14 Population, Resources, Global Awareness -- Class synthesis and discussion

Final Exam:
TUESDAY December 19th 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. in Space Sci 308 (our lecture room)

Return to Introduction to Global Change Course Home Page

Prepared by Katie Hirschboeck -- katie@LTRR.arizona.edu -- Last updated December 11, 1995