Overview. Our
Changing Environment is an introductory course for nonscientists about the
global environment. Our viewpoint will be that the global environment is a single
interconnected object, composed of the atmosphere, the oceans, and the biosphere
including humans. We will discuss the composition and behavior of the Earth's
atmosphere and ocean and how they are affected by human activities. By the end
of the semester you will have obtained a basic understanding of how the components
of the climate system interact, of global phenomena such as El-Niño,
and natural and anthropogenic climate change.
Prerequisites.ATOC
1050, Weather and the Atmosphere.
Class Format.The
class will consist of lectures and discussion. All students are expected
to participate in the discussion. I will call on people in class.
If, for any reason, being called on to talk publicly causes difficulties, please
see me and we can make special arrangements.
Text.The textbook
for the course is The Earth System, by Lee R. Kump, James F. Kasting,
and Robert G. Crane, 3rd edition, (Prentice-Hall, 2010). The textbook is will be on reserve at Norlin Library and at the Earth Sciences Library.
Lecture Notes. Copies of the presentations used in class will be posted to D2L.
Course Material.The
lectures and discussions will closely follow the text. We will cover chapters 1- 16. Reading assignments will be announced in class and posted on the Assignment Web Page. I will assume that all students have
read the chapter before covering it in class. If you do not fully
understand everything you have read, discuss the issues with fellow students
and bring questions to class.
Mathematics. Mathematics
is the language of science. This class assumes all students are proficient in
algebra. You will be expected to use mathematics to solve problems and to interpret
the meaning of mathematical equations. Bring a calculator to class and to exams. Know how to use your calculator.
ATOC Study Center. ATOC runs a study center staffed by advanced ATOC undergraduate working as Learning Assistants. You are encouraged to use the study center. The Learning Assistants will help you with the course content and the homework, but they will not provide answers to the homework. Details about the location and times the study center is open are at the ATOC Study Center Website.
Clickers. All students are required to have their own clickers. Students must register their clickers, instructions are at http://oit.colorado.edu/node/779. Clickers will be used as part of the class discussion. You will receive credit for answering questions with your clicker. Clicker grades will measure participation, not whether you answer correctly. 100% of the clicker points will be awarded if you answer 80% of the questions. This allows for absences and clicker malfunctions. You are responsible for making sure your clicker is working.
Grades.Your
grade will consist of two midterms, a final exam, and online quizzes, and clicker score. No
make-up exams will be given. If you need to miss an exam due to conflicts with religious
holidays or due to exceptional circumstances, you must discuss this with me
by Sept. 1.Your class grade will be calculated
based on the following weighting:
Exam
% of Grade
Date
First Midterm
28%
Th, Sept. 22
Second Midterm
28%
Th, Nov. 3
Final Exam
30%
Tu Dec 13, 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Online Quizzes
10%
Clickers
4%
A final numerical score will be calculated
from your scores. This numerical grade will be used
to calculate a final letter grade.
Grade Scale
Score
93-100
90-93
86-90
79-86
75-79
71-75
64-71
60-64
56-60
49-56
45-49
< 45
Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
Cheating.Any student found cheating, however minor, will receive an F in the course.
Exams.All exams are closed book and no outside material can be used. Students are of course not allowed to look at other students' exams.
Online Quizzes. Students are encourage to work together on the quizzes. Students are strongly encouraged to create study groups to discuss the reading, lectures and quizzes. Each student must enter the answers for the online quiz themselves. Entering answers for another student is cheating.
Clickers. All clickers must be registered to a student. Using the clicker of another student for any purpose, and giving your clicker to another student to use is cheating. Occasionally, students may be asked to show their student ID after answering clicker questions. In other classes, students have been failed for abusing clickers.
General Policies:
CU Final Exam Policy.If you
have three or more final exams scheduled on the same day, you are entitled to
arrange an alternative exam time for the last exam or exams scheduled on that
day. To qualify for rescheduling final exam times, you must provide evidence
that you have three or more exams on the same day, and arrangements must be
made with your instructor no later than the end of the sixth week of the semester
(Friday,September 30, 2011). http://registrar.colorado.edu/calendar/exam_sched_fall11.html
Honor Code. All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder
are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of
this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism,
aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.
All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council
(honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation
of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions
from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited
to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the
Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Disability.If
you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me
a letter from Disability Services within the first two weeks of class so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines
accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Center for Community N200, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
Religious Obligations.Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make everyeffort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, contact me within the first two weeks of class to discuss any conflicts. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Classroom Behavior. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of
race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability,
and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
Discrimination and Harassment. The University of Colorado at Boulder Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures, the University of Colorado Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures, and the University of Colorado Conflict of Interest in Cases of Amorous Relationships policy apply to all students, staff, and faculty. Any student, staff, or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at
303-492-2127 or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Honor Code. All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution.
Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
