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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "NS 202-2"
COURSE NAME: "Global Warming"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Bates Alan
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 16:30-17:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment
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
Global Warming, the Complete Briefing, 4th editionJohn HoughtonCambridge University Press9780521709163     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm exam 25%
Final Exam 25%
Research Paper 25%
Short Tests 25

-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 evaluatetheory 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

 




Week #

Concept

Reading

Assignment





1

Intro, Overview of Course

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

 

1

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

 

2

Surface Air Temperature, station data

Ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.103-104

JH: end p 124 to beg p 128

2

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

3

Forcings, Radiative Forcing, EM Spectrum, Albedo

Ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.94-95, 100-102, 120-121
JH: p 63-64

 

3

Articles related to Radiative Forcing & Earth’s Energy Balance
4

Albedo; Aerosols according to IPCC 2007

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

 

4

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

5

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

5

Greenhouse theory, electromag. spectrum

JH: Chap. 2

 

6

Carbon Biogeochemical Cycle Summary, Sources & Sinks

 

Carbon Cycle Questions (in class, I hope)

6

Methane and Review Questions

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

 

7

Make up Day

 

 
7  MIDTERM    

8

Introduction to Climate Impacts

Ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.107-108, 119, 122, 124;
Atlas: Glaciers, Extremes (p.24-27)JH: p Chap 7

 

8

Climate Impact: Less Arctic Sea Ice

JH: p Chap 7

 

9

Precipitation Patterns

JH: p Chap 7Ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.105-106;
Ar4-wg1-spm.pdf: p.5-9

 

9

Climate Impacts

 

 

10

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

10

Climate Impacts: Scenarios, Hydrological Cycle-Drought

Ar4-wg1-faqs.pdf: p.111

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

11

Climate Impacts: Sea Level Rise, the Uncertainty

JH: p Chap 7

 

11

Climate Impacts: Sea Level Rise, the Uncertainty

 

12

Climate Impacts: Fuel Efficiency

 

12

Climate Mitigation, and Wind Turbines

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

JH: p Chap 11

 

13

Climate Mitigation, Solar Energy

JH: p Chap 11

 Paper Due, as both paper and e-copy

13

Climate Mitigation, Biofuels

JH: p Chap 11

14

Climate Mitigation, Conclusion (Pacala Socolow Wedges)