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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "NS 202"
COURSE NAME: "Global Warming"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Kneller Margaret
HOURS: MW 14:30-15:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We look at some of the climate, chemical, biological and geological processes involved in climate change. The human impact upon the “greenhouse effect” is explained, the merits of the scientific theory are examined in light of available evidence to date. Climate changes apparent at the century time-scale, and longer, are introduced; the physical forcings responsible for these changes are presented. We also look at the international treaties (the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol) that address the greenhouse gases.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Lectures and Discussion will address the following:
Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming, and Climate Change…what do they mean?
What are the Primary Controls, or Forcings, of Earth’s Temperature?
What is the Temperature on Earth?
What is the Carbon Atom?
Basic Chemical Equations with Carbon.
What are the Greenhouse Gases?
The Global Carbon Cycle.
What are “normal” precipitation patterns?
What key role are Aerosols playing?
Doesn’t the earth’s climate always change?
What are the predictions for climate change in the 21st century?
What are “impacts?”
How do Human Activities produce greenhouse gases?
What is a Greenhouse Gas Inventory?
How much greenhouse gas do I produce?
Which international treaties address greenhouse gases?
What is currently “being done” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The class provides the non-science oriented student with a basic scientific understanding of climate change and the greenhouse effect. The student is also introduced to some of the policy instruments being developed, to address climate change.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
(selections from the) WG1, The Physical Science Basis IPCC 2007 (summary for policymakers) IPCC 2007IPCC (www.ipcc.ch)978 0 521 70596 7  The text is available online at www.ipcc.ch   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Atlas of Climate Change, Mapping the World's Greatest ChallengeKirstin Dow and Thomas E. DowningEarthscan 9781844075225 QC981.8.C5 D69 
Global Warming, the Complete Briefing, 4th editionJohn Houghton Cambridge University Press 9780521709163QC981.8.G56 H68 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
MidtermThe Midterm will be based upon short answers, definitions, and descriptions of graphs and tables.30%
Research PaperStudents will conduct a short research project, on a topic related to climate change or greenhouse gases. The Use of Up-To-Date reference materials, from original sources, is required. Explanation of Grading is posted in “GW Research Paper Guidelines,” in MyJCU. Correctly citing sources is important, the bibliography is important. The Results of your research will be presented in a 5 to 6 pages of text, followed by the bibliography. A written AND electronic copy of the paper must be turned in. TurnitIn may be used.30%
FinalThe Final will be based upon definitions, short answers, and descriptions of graphs and figures.30%
Class Attendance, Participation, and Short Assignments 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class attendance is required, more than three unexcused absences will lower the grade partially, (e.g from B to B minus), more than seven unexcused absences will lower the grade by one whole point (e.g. from B to C).
Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE
About the Readings:
Atlas is "The Atlas of Climate Change, Mapping the World's Greatest Challenge" by Kirstin Dow and Thomas E. Downing, on Reserve in the Library.
ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf is found at www.ipcc.ch
ar4-wg1-spm.pdf is found at www.ipcc.ch
JH: is Global Warming" by John Houghton, on Reserve in the Library.
Which text do you read? The answer is that the www.ipcc.ch readings are the best if you have sufficient science background; the J Houghton book is written at a college undergraduate level (usual non-science majors can understand this book); the Climate Atlas gives a good overview and is especially helpful to understand the topics/concept if you have little science background.

 IMPORTANT: I am trying to arrange a visit to the WFP or IFAD, as a relevant field trip. The visit may occur on a Friday. If I can arrange the visit, then I will make a slight adjustment to the schedule below, to accommodate the “field trip,” and maintain the necessary course hours.

Date

Concept

Reading

Assignment

Jan 16

Intro, the IPCC

 

 

Jan 18

Intro, Overview of Course

Atlas: Intro (p.9-13),
JH: Chap.1

 

Jan 23

Surface Air Temperature, Global Average

ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.96-97;
ar4-wg1-spm.pdf: p. 5
Atlas: Climate System, Past Climates (p.32-35)
JH: p 70-79

 

Jan 25

Surface Air Temperature, station data

ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.103-104

JH: end p 124 to beg p 128

Jan 30

Atmospheric Composition, Greenhouse Gases, CO2 concentration

ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p. 94-95,98-99
Atlas: Emissions, Fossil fuels (p.39-43)
JH: p 34-49

Temperature, exercise with gistemp

Feb 1

Forcings, Radiative Forcing, EM Spectrum, Albedo

ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.94-95, 100-102, 120-121
JH: p 63-64

 

Feb 3 (Friday)

Articles related to Radiative Forcing & Earth’s Energy Balance

Feb 6

Albedo; Aerosols according to IPCC 2007

Atlas: Disrupting Carbon Balance (p.48-51); JH: p end 57-62+

 

Feb 8

Carbon and CO2, Emissions vs. Concentration, Sources and Sink

ar4-wg1-spm.pdf: p.2-3;
ar4-wg1-chapter 7.pdf, p. 514-516 [difficult, we will do in class]; JH: p 35-46

Feb 13

Carbon Cycle (basic equations), Human Involvement

ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.115-116; Atlas: Transportation (p.46-47)

Calculate your CO2 Footprint/Carbon Emissions, e.g. BP carbon footprint calculator

Feb 15

Greenhouse theory, electromag. spectrum

JH: Chap. 2

 

Feb 20

Carbon Biogeochemical Cycle Summary, Sources & Sinks

 

Carbon Cycle Questions (in class, I hope)

Feb 22

Methane and Review Questions

Atlas: Methane (p.44-45);
JH: relevant parts of Chap.3

 

Feb 27

Pleistocene Ice Ages

 

 
Feb 29 MIDTERM    

Mar 5

Introduction to Climate Impacts

ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.107-108, 119, 122, 124;
Atlas: Glaciers, Extremes (p.24-27)JH: p Chap 7

 

Mar 7

Climate Impact: Less Arctic Sea Ice

JH: p Chap 7

 

Mar 9
(Friday)

Precipitation Patterns

JH: p Chap 7
ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.105-106;
ar4-wg1-spm.pdf: p.5-9

 

Mar 12

Climate Impacts

 

 

Mar 14

Climate Impacts: Hydrological Cycle, Tropical Cyclones

ar4-wg1-spm.pdf: p.12-16;
Atlas: Water, Food (p.56-59);
JH: p Chap 7

Assignment Three: Paper Title and Part of References

Mar 26

Climate Impacts: Scenarios, Hydrological Cycle-Drought

ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.111

Atlas: Sea Level, Cities (p.62-65)

Mar 28

Climate Impacts: Sea Level Rise, the Uncertainty

JH: p Chap 7

 

April 2

Climate Impacts: Sea Level Rise, the Uncertainty

 

April 4

Climate Impacts: Fuel Efficiency

 

April 11

Climate Mitigation, and Wind Turbines

Atlas: “Action” (p.78-79, 82-83, 88-91)

JH: p Chap 11

 

April 16

Climate Mitigation, Solar Energy

JH: p Chap 11

 Paper Due, as both paper and e-copy

April 18

Climate Mitigation, Biofuels

JH: p Chap 11

April 23

Climate Mitigation, Conclusion (Pacala Socolow Wedges)

Pacala and Socolow, “Stabilization Wedges” paper, 2004 (see MyJCU Shared Files)