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Global Climate Change - GLY 529
Spring 2011

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Department Home Page

Library Resources

Class Notes

Course Objective:
In this course we will systematically explore the science behind the study of global climate change from the deep past through to the present and near future. You should gain an appreciation for the changes the Earth has experienced in its four and a half billion year history to put the current prospect of climate change in perspective and gain insight into how well we understand the ongoing changes.

Textbook and Other Sources:
In addition to the textbook, the "myweb" site contains important summary information on lecture topics as well as reading lists and relevant web links. The lecture slide presentations will be posted in Blackboard.

Short Papers:
Two short papers are required of all students on topics within the area of the course. Each will present a summary of one scientific journal article listing the critical points made. Articles must be approved by Prof. D no later than the date listed below. Final papers must be accompanied by the articles. Summary papers should be the equivalent of approximately 2-3 pages typed, double-spaced, plus references in a standard bibliographic format, plus any figures. Sources must be cited in the body of the paper and cited sources must be listed in a bibliography at the end. For a summary of journals and other sources available at C.W. Post and to browse through lists of articles on various topics check out the Library Resources link. Plagiarism will be dealt with severely - see below.
Paper 1:  a peer-reviewed scientific journal article presenting the results of a study of Earth’s climate history. The scientific journal article must present new conclusions based on data rather than simply summaries or reviews of other work. Scientific journal article summaries must review 1) the specific problem posed or question asked, 2) a general background to the issue, 3) the methods used to study the problem, 4) comments on the data/observations/information gathered, 5) the analysis or weighing of data/information, and 6) the conclusions and how secure they appear.
Paper 2:  a scholarly article examining climate projections, projected impacts of climate change, or methods of mitigation of the impacts of climate change.

Note on Academic Integrity:
All work presented on exams, homework, and papers must be your own. Any written passages not in your own words must be in quote marks with the source noted. Papers may not be constructed by paraphrasing or simply rearranging the words of extended passages from the source. The source of ideas presented, even in your own words, must also be documented. For the case of the scientific journal article summaries you only need to cite your source article once and place a full bibliographic entry at the end. Information referred to from any other source articles (including the ones cited in your article) must be properly cited in the body and fully listed in the bibliography.

Quizzes and Exams:
Several short quizzes will be given online in WebCT. Each will be available online for one week. A midterm and final exam will be given. Exams may only be made up with a doctor's note. Makeup exams will be all written (short answer & essay).