Weather, Climate & Change GEOL 100- Key Concepts in the Earth & Environmental Sciences Fall 2015 C. M. Bailey x12445
Office- McStreet Hall 215
[email protected]
THE BIG QUESTIONS How’s the weather?
Is the climate changing?
It’s a simple question, but understanding and predicting the weather is a complex and multifaceted endeavor that’s critical to the modern world.
It’s a complex question, and one that’s woefully misunderstood by both the public and policymakers alike.
PREAMBLE If you find these questions interesting then you’re in the right class. The boundary conditions for humanity and its history are set by the Earth’s weather and climate. This course starts with the processes that work in the atmosphere to create weather. After considering the day-to-day scale of weather, we’ll focus on the longer time scale that encompasses climate, and examine why climates on Earth are so variable. Although climates have changed throughout Earth’s long history, there is much concern about current and future climate change, its causes, and the impact on human society. In this class you’ll hone your abilities at thinking spatially, quantitatively, and critically. We’ll also endeavor to effectively communicate both what we know & how we know it to a variety of audiences (scientists, peers, and the public) and through a variety of media.
Course Meeting Times ‘Lecture’- MWF 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
‘Discussion/Lab’- M 5:00 - 5:50 p.m.
The Course Plan Week
Date
Topics & Assignments
Readings
1
Aug 26 - 28
Overview, Goals, Seeing the Weather, Time, Place & Space
Ch. 1
2
Aug 31 - Sept 4 Our Place in the Sun: Energy, Insolation & the Seasons
Ch. 2-3
3
Sept 7 - 11
Atmospheric Moisture & Clouds, The Meteorologist’s Toolbox
Ch. 4-6
4
Sept 14 - 18
When it Rains, it Pours… Producing Precipitation
Ch. 7
Sept 18 -19
Geology Dept. Field Trip- GEOLOGY of the BLUE RIDGE MTNS. (OPTIONAL)
5
Sept 21 - 25
Blowing in the Wind: Atmospheric Circulation Problem Set #1 due Fri., Sept. 25th
6
Sept 28 - Oct 2 When All Hell Breaks Loose: Severe Weather
7
Oct 5 - 9
A World Tour: Global Climate Zones Ch. 17 Group Climate Research Team & Special Place selected by Fri., Oct. 9th
Oct 10 - 13
Fall Break
Oct 14 - 16
Blame it on the Weathercaster! Weather Forecasting Showing off your Weather Video Snippet- Fri., Oct. 16th
8
Ch. 8-12 Ch. 14-1
Ch. 13
9
Oct 19 - 23
What Controls Global Climates Weather Video Snippet uploaded by Fri-Oct. 23rd
Ch. 17
10
Oct 26 - 30
Climate Change- The Record from the Past Mid-Term Exam- Fri., Oct 30th
Ch. 16
11
Nov 2 - 6
No Class- work on the Group Climate Project (Chuck away at GSA meeting)
12
Nov 9 - 13
Climate Change- The Public ‘Debate’ Group Climate Project Presentations- Nov. 11 & 13th
13
Nov 16 - 20
Climate Change- Future Outlook
14
Nov 23
General Circulation Models- GCMs Problem Set #2 due Tues., Nov. 24th
Nov 25 - 29
Thanksgiving Break
Nov 30 Dec 4
Realities of Changing Climate- Science, Policy, & People Group Climate Project – final presentation uploaded by Wed., Dec. 2nd
15
Ch. 16
Final Exam: Monday, Dec 7th, 9:00 a.m. - noon GradingMid-term Exam Final Exam Problem Sets In-Class/Lab Activities
10% 30% 20% 15%
Weather & Climate Video Snippet Project Presentations to Peers Climate Group Research Project/Presentation
5% 5% 15%
Problem Sets- Meteorology and climatology are quantitative endeavors- the problem sets will hone your quantitative skills to a sharp edge. Start working on the problems early, and come by my office if you have questions. You may consult with your classmates and discussion is encouraged, however do not let your peers do the work- as the exams will involve quantitative problems as well.
In-Class Activities- This class is more than just lecture so during almost every class there will be some types of in-class activities designed to not only keep you awake, but also to get you thinking and make you an active participant in learning. Some of the questions/exercises will be similar to those on problem sets and exams. Much of this will be done in small groups and many times the work will be collected.
Weather Video Snippet Project- In this class we'll learn to observe and infer the weather and a region's climate by interpreting short (