Download PSCI 1050 Climatology Syllabus

MASTER SYLLABUS
2013-2014
A.
Academic Division: Health Sciences
B.
Department: Allied Health
Discipline:
Physical Science
C.
Course Number and Title: PSCI1050 Climate Studies: Introduction to Climatology
D.
Department Chair:
Robert Slabodnick, R.R.T, N.P.S., R.C.T
Course Coordinator: Jon Loufman, M.S., M.F.A.
E.
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture: 2 hours
Laboratory: 2 hours
F.
Prerequisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
G.
Syllabus Effective: Fall, 2013
H.
Textbook(s):
Climate Studies: Introduction to Climatology, Joseph M. Moran
 Publisher: American Meteorology Society, Boston, MA
 Copyright Year: 2010
 Edition: 1st
 ISBN: 978-1-878220-04-2
and
Climate Studies Laboratory Investigations Manual
 Publisher: American Meteorology Society, Boston, MA
 Copyright Year: 2012
 Edition: 3rd
ISBN: 978-1-935704-99-7
OR
Packaged Climate Studies Textbook and Laboratory Investigations Manual
 Publisher: American Meteorology Society, Boston, MA Copyright Year:
2012-2013
 Edition: 1st/3rd
 ISBN: 978-1-935704-98-0
PSCI 1050/Climate Studies
Master Syllabus
Page 2
J.
Course Description:
An introductory science course designed to familiarize students with the basic facts, theories, and
methods relating to the study of climatology. This course will focus on the principles of the
natural world and the causes of weather. Students will apply these principles by analyzing and
interpreting the effects of the atmosphere on our natural and human ecosystems using real-time
data from the National Weather Service. This course will also analyze the effects of various
human activities upon weather and the global system.
K.
Core Learning Outcomes:
Core Learning Outcomes
Communication- Written
Communication- Speech
Intercultural Knowledge and
Competence
Assessments - - How it is met & When it is met
All listed assignments are graded
PSCI1050 emphasizes a student’s ability to
effectively communicate scientific information. The
course requires students to keep a laboratory
investigations notebook containing a well-organized
record of laboratory investigations performed each
week. Effective communication is also assessed on
lecture exams in the form of short answer and essay
questions and as well as with journal article papers
and discussion forums. Students are required to
write a concise one-page summary of each article
and present the main points of their article review to
the class in a discussion forum throughout the
semester.
Acquiring an understanding of our global and
diverse cultures and societies is addressed
throughout PSCI 1050 through frequent assignments
involving discussions of anthropogenic actions
taken, and views held by various cultures and
societies with regard to global climate changes and
the human role in those changes.
Weeks: 1, 3, 12, 14, 15 and 16
Short Essays
Exam
Short Answer Discussion Questions
Discussion Board Activities
PSCI 1050/Climate Studies
Master Syllabus
Page 3
Core Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
Assessments - - How it is met & When it is met
All listed assignments are graded
Critical thinking is an important learning outcome of
PSCI 1050. The laboratory portion of the course
helps to enrich student understanding of concepts
presented in texts and lectures and provides an
environment in which students can further
investigate and analyze the intricate workings of
climate systems.
Weeks: 4, 6, 9 and 10
Short Essays
Exam
Quiz
Discussion Board Activities
Information Literacy
PSCI1050 strongly emphasizes use of information
literacy with a directed emphasis on the scientific
method to solve climatological problems. Students
practice this skill weekly in their laboratory
investigations through the formulation of
hypotheses, observation, and recording of data in
their laboratory investigations notebooks. Students
are given an opportunity to discuss their results in
online discussion forums and ask questions to enrich
their understanding of the climate systems being
studied throughout the semester.
Computation
L.
Course Outcomes and Assessment Methods:
Upon successful completion of course the student shall:
Outcomes
1. Describe the structure, composition, and
global circulation of the atmosphere.
2. Identify various historic global
climatological patterns.
Assessments – How it is met
& When it is met
Completion of papers, quiz, exam
and laboratory notebooks in
Weeks 6, 7 and 8
Completion of papers, quiz,
exam, and laboratory notebooks
in Weeks 9, 10, 11 and 13
PSCI 1050/Climate Studies
Master Syllabus
Page 4
Outcomes
3. Use knowledge of historical climate
patterns and ice core sampling to forecast
climatological trends.
4. Identify possible analogs to modern
climate change.
Completion of papers, exam, and
laboratory notebooks in Weeks 1,
2 and 3
5. Explore the influence and impact of
deforestation, water vapor flux, heat
storage at Earth’s surface, solar cycles, and
anthropogenic emissions on humans and
the environment.
Completion of papers, quiz,
exam, and laboratory notebooks
in Weeks 4, 5, 11, 12 and 14
6. Interpret climate and climate variability
from the instrumental record.
Completion of papers, quiz,
exam, and laboratory
notebooks in Week 10
Completion of papers, quiz,
exam, and laboratory
notebooks in Weeks 3, 5, 6
and 7
Completion of papers, quiz,
exam, and laboratory
notebooks in Weeks 8, 10 and
11
Completion of papers, quiz,
exam, and laboratory
notebooks in Weeks 14, 15,
and 16
7. Identify causes and describe the factors
that affect climate change.
8. Manipulate laboratory materials to
investigate climatological phenomenon.
9. Describe potential impact of climate
change on human existence.
M.
Assessments – How it is met
& When it is met
Completion of papers, quiz,
exam, and laboratory notebooks
in Weeks 9 and 10
Course Topical Outline:
In case of events beyond the control of faculty that interfere with class times and teaching,
adjustments may be made to date of coverage, order of coverage, and date of exams and
assignments to ensure full coverage of course content.
WEEKLY COURSE OUTLINE (Subject to Revision):
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Chapter 1--- climate science for today’s world 1
Chapter 2--- monitoring earth’s climate system 33
Chapter 3--- planetary energy budget in earth’s climate system 67
PSCI 1050/Climate Studies
Master Syllabus
Page 5
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week1 2:
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:
Week 16:
N.
Chapter 4--- thermal response of the climate system 101
Chapter 5-- -water in earth’s climate system 133
Chapter 6 ---global atmospheric circulation 169
Chapter 7 --atmospheric circulation and regional climates 205
Chapter 8 ---climate and air/sea interactions 245
Chapter 9 ---the climate record: paleoclimates 277
Chapter 10 --instrument-based climate record & climatology of severe weather 309
Chapter 11 --natural causes of climate change 345
Chapter 12 --anthropogenic climate change and the future 371
Chapter 13 --climate classification 399
Chapter 14 --responding to climate change 423
Chapter 15 --climate change and public policy 453
Final Exam
Course Assignments:
Complete Laboratory Investigations
Short Essays
Quizzes
Exams
Short Answer Discussion Questions
Discussion Board Activities
O.
Recommended Grading Scale:
100-95
94-92
91-89
88-86
85-83
82-80
A
AB+
B
BC+
79-77
76-74
73-71
70-68
67-65
64-Below
C
CD+
D
DF
Mathematical rounding for tests and final grades will be defined by your instructor.