Geog 311: tHE ATMOSPHERE

Course Information Overview

• Geog 311
• MW 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM
• Room 160, Sierra Hall

Course Description

This course will focus on the issue of global atmospheric and climatic change. The course is broadly divided into three topics:

1. A review of basic meteorology, including the evolution of the atmosphere, the structure and chemistry of the atmosphere, Earth-Sun relationships, solar and terrestrial radiation, humidity and clouds, global atmospheric motion and wind systems, and air masses and fronts.

2. An examination of natural climate change throughout Earth's history, emphasizing the truly amazing climatic variations during the Pleistocene (commonly known as the Ice Age).

3. An investigation of human impacts on the natural world, including a discussion of the greenhouse gas effect, air pollution, depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, and acid rain.

Past climatic changes were of natural origin, while future changes may well be attributed directly to human causes. A continuation of human impact may lead to climatic conditions well outside the range experienced in recorded history. Some of the climatic effects are already observable and have led to calls for policy change and for continued research. I hope that this class will help students to better understand the many complex issues involved in atmospheric change and to make informed decisions.

Course Prerequisites

 

Student Learning Objectives

Outcomes:
Goal A: Build a Knowledge Base
Students will identify and define key terms and concepts relative to the physical landscape.
Students will recognize significant weather patterns.
Students will identify and explain basic facts, principles, and laws in the biological and physical sciences.
Students will understand how the methods of scientific inquiry are used to obtain new scientific data and to advance the current level of knowledge.
Students will recognize the assumptions and limitations of science.
Students will recognize the role of science in human society and how scientific achievements affect everyday life.
Goal B: Acquire Knowledge
Students will develop skills for acquiring new knowledge. Students will specifically be able to:
	- recall information presented to them textually, cartographically, and through numerical and graphical information
	- use sources of information in physical geography, including maps, graphs, and internet data.
Goal C: Develop Problem Solving Skills
Students will demonstrate their problem skills in various ways
Students will apply abstract concepts, such as the environmental laps rate, to real‐world situations.
Students will consider how maps, graphs, satellite imagery, and related concepts, relay information on changing climate conditions.
Students will use real time weather data to answer questions related to modern weather prediction.
Students will consider how the information relayed in this class can be used in real life decisions.

Grading

Grading Summary table

Exam #1				100 points
Exam #2	Study Guide		Grade Distribution	100 points
Final Exam	Study Guide	Practice Questions		100 points
Homework				50 points
Term Paper				50 points

Course Schedule

Note: The following schedules are subject to change at any time.

Readings

Readings are taken from the Atmosphere custom text. Readings are expected to be complete BY OR BEFORE the days noted below:

Monday, 01/25	TAAIM Ch. 1
Wednesday, 01/27	TES Ch. 10-11
Monday, 02/08	TAAIM Ch. 2
Monday, 02/15	TAAIM Ch. 2-3
Monday, 02/22	TAAIM Ch. 4, 5 (p. 132-157)
Monday, 03/01	TAAIM Ch. 5
Wednesday, 03/03	TAAIM Ch. 6
Monday, 03/08	TAAIM Ch. 7
Wednesday, 03/10	TAAIM Ch. 7 (p. 219-222); TES Ch. 15 (p. K128-K132)
Monday, 03/22	TES Ch. 14
Wednesday, 04/14	TES Ch. 12
Monday, 04/19	TES Ch. 15
Monday, 04/26	TES Ch. 13
Wednesday, 04/28	TES Ch. 16
Monday, 05/03	TAAIM Ch. 13

Lecture Presentations

Lecture slides are provided for you here. Please use these as a guide for your note-taking!

Monday, 01/25	Atmospheric Composition, etc.
Wednesday, 01/27	LIfe and the Atmosphere	pre-Office 2007 version
Monday, 02/01	LIfe and the Atmosphere (cont.)
Wednesday, 02/03	NO CLASS!
Monday, 02/08	The Earth-Sun Energy System	old
Wednesday, 02/10	The Earth-Sun Energy System (cont.)	old
Monday, 02/15	Radiation & Temperature	old
Wednesday, 02/17	Radiation & Temperature (cont.)
Monday, 02/22	Humidity & Atmospheric Moisture
Wednesday, 02/24	MIDTERM!!!
Monday, 03/01	Condensation, Clouds, & Precipitation
Wednesday, 03/03	Air Pressure and Winds
Monday, 03/08	Circulation of the Atmosphere	old
Wednesday, 03/10	Oceanic Connections
Monday, 03/15	Climate Variability
Wednesday, 03/17	Age of the Earth (cont.)
Monday, 03/22	Causes of Climate Change
Wednesday, 03/24	MIDTERM!!!
Monday, 03/29	Volcanoes and Climate
Wednesday, 03/31	HOLIDAY - NO CLASS!
Monday, 04/05	SPRING BREAK!
Wednesday, 04/07	SPRING BREAK!
Monday, 04/12	NO CLASS!
Wednesday, 04/14	The Gaia Hypothesis
Monday, 04/19	Little Ice Age
Wednesday, 04/21	No Class!
Monday, 04/26	Little Ice Age (cont.)
Wednesday, 04/28	Global Warming
Monday, 05/03	Global Warming Arguments
Wednesday, 05/05	Air Pollution & Acid Rain
Wednesday, 05/12	FINAL EXAM (at 10:15 AM)

 

Homework

Assignments are due no later than one week after the date assigned, unless othewise noted.

Wednesday, 02/03	Homework #1
Wednesday, 02/17	Homework #2
Wednesday, 03/03	Homework #3
Monday, 04/14	Term Paper	grading
Monday, 04/21	Homework #4
Wednesday, 04/28	Homework #5