Download ATS 320 Change Course Syllabus 6_1 rev dis

College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
A.
Course Title: THE CHANGING CLIMATE
B.
Course Number: ATS 320
C.
Credit hours: 3
Class meets MWF 0900-0950
Instructor: Dr. Karen Shell
[email protected]
D.
Course Description
Survey of Earth’s climate and the factors that influence climate. Examine causes of changes in
atmospheric composition, the expected consequences of these changes, problems predicting
future changes, and what can be done about the changes. Offered annually, three lectures per
week.
(Bacc. Core Course: Science, Technology, and Society)
E.
Prerequisites: None
F.
Student Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge concerning the major factors that affect the Earth’s climate, how the
climate has changed in the past, what causes changes in atmospheric composition, the
consequences predicted for these changes, the sources of uncertainty in the predictions, and
what can be done about the anticipated changes. (BCC question: How does this course
provide a perspective on the scientific or technological approach to understanding and
manipulating the world by relating that perspective to its social context?)
2. Analyze basic geophysical, population, sociological, and economic data, to assess potential
impacts of climate change, the types of changes in human behavior that are likely to be
required to address the problem, and the predicted costs of climate change as well as
proposals for mitigating the change. (BCC question: How does this course place the subject
in historical context?)
3. Evaluate quantities pertinent to climate change, the likely consequences of the change, and
the viability of proposals to deal with climate change. (BCC question: Describe how this
course emphasizes the interactions of science and/or technology and society (in general, or
through significant examples of that interaction).
“The Changing Climate” is an approved Baccalaureate Core Course in the area of Science,
Technology, and Society. Successful demonstration of the following outcomes is part of the
Baccalaureate Core Course requirements:
4. Analyze relationships among science, technology and society using critical perspectives or
examples from historical, political, or economics disciplines. (BCC question: Describe how
this course demonstrates interrelationships or connections with other subject areas.)
5. Analyze the role of science and technology in shaping diverse fields of study over time.
6. Articulate, in writing, a critical perspective on issues involving science, technology, and
society using evidence as support. (BCC question: How does this course emphasize
elements of critical thinking?)
G.
Evaluation of Student Performance
1. Weekly homework assignments that reinforce conceptual knowledge covered in the assigned
reading and the lectures and help the student to develop skills in quantitative estimates
(35%).
2. Two midterm exams, each devoted to approximately one third of the course material, designed
to test knowledge and quantitative skills applicable to the course and to help students
synthesize a more comprehensive view of the course material (30%).
3. Final exam, comprehensive test of knowledge and quantitative skills applicable to the course
material (35%).
To accommodate students with different backgrounds, the exams are divided into quantitative
and qualitative sections. The quantitative sections are optional and limited so that students who
have developed advanced quantitative skills do not gain a substantial advantage over those who
have less experience with quantitative questions, while still allowing more advanced students to
develop a deeper understanding of the material.
H.
Learning Resources
rd
J.T. Houghton, 2004: Global Warming: The Complete Briefing, 3 Ed. Cambridge University
Press.
Lecture narratives and materials used in lectures are made available on Blackboard
I.
Assessment and improvement
1. Course student evaluations are reviewed.
2. Course is updated each time it is taught to address recent changes in the science, in political
agendas, and in proposals for mitigating climate change.
J.
Academic Dishonesty:
You are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner. Academic dishonesty such as
plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Therefore, students are expected to be honest and
ethical in their academic work. Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception
in one of the following areas:
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cheating- use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids,
fabrication- falsification or invention of any information,
assisting- helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty,
tampering- altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents, or
plagiarism- representing the words or ideas of another person as one's own.
For more information about academic integrity and the University's policies and procedures in this
area, please refer to the Student Conduct web site that follows and the section on Academic
Regulations in the OSU Schedule of Classes.
Special Note:
Please be aware of the OSU policies on classroom conduct:
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm.
For more information see:
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/avoid.htm
K.
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access
Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for
contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term
to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who
have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098.
COURSE SCHEDULE: ATS 320 The Changing Climate
Week 1: Introduction—Fundamentals
Radiative equilibrium, greenhouse effect, greenhouse forcing, and greenhouse response, the
climate sensitivity, Earth-atmosphere energy budget, and the vertical temperature profile of the
troposphere and stratosphere.
Week 2: Human Changes to Atmospheric Composition and their Effects on Climate
Greenhouse gases, carbon cycle, methane, nitrous oxides, CFCs, haze, radiative forcing, and
surface temperature response.
Week 3: Past Climates
Observed surface temperatures, inferences of past surface temperatures, Paleoclimate record,
and abrupt climate change.
Week 4: Review, Midterm, Fundamentals of Weather and Climate Modeling
Fundamentals of numerical modeling, differences between weather forecasting and climate
prediction.
Week 5: Weather and Climate Modeling (Cont’d)
Assessing weather and climate model performance, climate feedbacks, and regional climate
predictions.
Week 6: Predicting Climate Change
Scenarios for population, economics, and technology, impacts of climate change: sea-level rise,
effects on ecosystems, and human health.
Week 7: Review, Midterm, Costs of Climate Change
Estimating costs of climate change.
Week 8: Mitigating Climate Change
Uncertainty in climate predictions, sustainable development, and stabilization of greenhouse gas
concentrations.
Week 9: Strategies for Limiting Climate Change
Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, and strategies for stabilizing
concentrations of CO2 and CH4.
Week 10: Future Energy
Availability of fossil fuels, “no-regrets” improvements in energy use efficiency, prospects for
renewable energy, CO2 sequestration, nuclear energy, and fuel cells.