RSM 572: a course to be team-taught by RSMAS faculty members, Fall 2006.
|
Topic (order tbd) |
Possible lecturer |
(2 - 90min lectures/week) |
|
1. Introduction |
Drennan |
1 lecture |
|
2. How carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) affect climate |
Clement |
1 lecture |
|
3. Paleoclimate |
Clement, Peterson, Swart |
2 lectures |
|
4. Local ocean processes |
Hansell |
2 lectures |
|
5. Global ocean processes |
Millero, Fine |
2 lectures |
|
6. Carbon exchange physics |
Drennan |
2 lectures |
|
7. Biological processes |
Bakun |
2 lectures |
|
8. Land processes, including land use changes |
Guest lecturer |
2 lectures |
|
9. Modeling climate |
Soden |
2 lectures |
|
10. Policy |
Broad, Letson |
4-6 lectures |
|
Student presentations |
2-4 lectures |
|
|
(estimated) |
Textbook:
IPCC Working group I report, ‘Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis’ Cambridge Press [Available online at http://www.ipcc.ch/ or http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/] Various articles from the press and scientific literature will also be used.
Grading/Exams:
Student presentations, 40%
Each student will choose an article from a predetermined list and present a summary of the article to the class. The presentation is to include an evaluation of the scientific arguments presented in the article (accuracy, completeness), as well as a discussion of policy implications. The articles will be chosen from popular media sources such as Time, Guardian Weekly, NY Times, etc.
Biweekly homework, 40%
Following each topic, homework will be assigned
Class participation, 20%
Possibly to include students debating various climate-related statements/positions given by government, business and environmental groups.