Climatic Change and Variability

Catalog description

Theories and observations of past, present, and future climatic change and variability; introduction to techniques used in climatic change research. GEOG 412W Climatic Change and Variability (3)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. GEOG 412W introduces students to the physical dimensions of climate change and variation. Climate change topics include radiative forcing, greenhouse gases, scenarios, equilibrium models, and time-dependent models. Important Climate variation topics are teleconnections and the El Nino-Southern Oscillation phenomenon. GEOG 412W would appeal to students with interests in Earth and atmospheric sciences, as well as environmental protection. As a writing-intensive course, GOEG 412W aims to help students improve their ability to communicate scientific information. The course devotes considerable class time to the mechanics of reading, writing, speaking, and especially report production. Students not only write, but also learn to edit and critique writing.Because most professional research on climate change and variation involves collaborative science teams, GEOG 412W focus on collaboration and participation. Students form teams, conduct research, and compile formal collaborative reports on climate change and variation. Students document their individual contributions by producing portfolios.