Post on 28-Dec-2015
GE0 307 – Climate Change
Dr. GarverGeography Dept.
GEO 307
• This course looks at the science behind the
forecast of global warming.
• Class List
• Office Hours
• Texts
• Web page
– www.csupomona.edu/~sagarver/GEO307
– readings, assignments, powerpoints
• Grading, syllabus
Office Hours:
Tuesdays 12:00 – 12:50
Wednesdays 12:00 – 2:50
Thursdays 12:00 – 12:50
Texts:
1. Global Warming: Understanding the
Forecast, written by David Archer
2. Field Notes from a Catastrophe,
written by Elizabeth Kolbert
Main text – either edition
Kolbert
Kolbert Stories – Choose one
Class Discussion (Kolbert Readings) (5%)
We will discuss a reading (or two) from Kolbert
each Thursday, everyone needs to have done
the reading and come prepared to discuss.
Each person will be responsible for leading the
discussion for one reading (see sign up sheet).
Weeks 1 – 5
• The physics of the greenhouse effect
– Black body radiation & atmospheric models
– Gases, pressure, and structure of
atmosphere
– Feedback mechanisms
– How blocking outgoing IR light by gh gases
makes the earth hotter
Weeks 6 - 10
• Fossil fuel and the carbon cycle
– Energy stored in fossil fuels
• Climate Forecasts
• Predictions and reliability of climate model
forecasts
• Records of recent and past climates
• Projected impacts of climate change on;
– sea level, rainfall, species diversity, storm severity
Grading:
Assignments/Quizzes 30%
Midterm 30%
Final 30%
Kolbert Presentations 5%
Class Attendance & Discussion 5%
100%
Assignments/Quizzes (30%)
~ 3 - 4 assignments due every other week.
~2 – 3 quizzes based on Archer readings
and lectures (Tuesdays).
MIDTERM EXAM (30%)
(All lectures, videos, articles, and readings
prior to midterm)
FINAL EXAM (30%) (Comprehensive)