ENST 501/502: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE I
Steve P. Lund
ENST-501/502 is a survey of environmental processes and variability
near the Earth's surface in the region which houses most life
(the Biosphere). The focus of this course will be natural conditions
independent of human impact. ENST-503/504 (Spring, 2000) will
consider in more detail aspects of Environmental Science that
affect humans and are affected by them.
COURSE OUTLINE
|
Date |
Topic |
Readings |
| Aug 27 | 1: The Earth's Dynamic Environment: A Systems Approach to Global Change | Ch 1,2 |
| Sept 5 (Wed) | 2: Solar Heating and the Global Energy Balance in the Biosphere | Ch 3 |
| Sept 10 | 3: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather | Ch 4 |
| Sept 17 | 4: Ocean Structure and Circulation | Ch 5 |
| Sept 24 | 5: Coastal Ocean Systems | Ch 6 |
| Oct 1 | 6: Plate Tectonics and the Rock Cycle | Ch 7 |
| Oct 8 | 7: Terrestrial Surface Processes | - |
| Oct 15 | FIRST MIDTERM EXAM | |
| Oct 22 | 8: Biogeochemical Cycling | Ch 7 |
| Oct 29 | 9: Foundations of Ecology | - |
| Nov 5 | 10: Marine Biomes | - |
| Nov 12 | 11: Terrestrial Biomes | - |
| Nov 19 | 12: Overview of Climate Variability | Ch 8 |
| Nov 26 | 13: Millenial-Scale Climate Variability | Ch 11/12 |
| Dec 3 | 14: Historic Climate Variability | Ch 11/12/13 |
| Dec 12 | 11:00 AM - SECOND MIDTERM EXAM |
ENST-501 Required Reading: The Earth System by L. R. Kump, J. E. Kastin, and R. G. Crane
ENST-501 Grading: 40% for each of two midterm exams; 20% for a final term paper.
ENST-501 Term Paper: 10-page research paper based on a topic discussed in the course. Paper will be typed, double spaced and contain a brief statement of the problem/issue, discussion, conclusions and references (as appropriate). The format, content and style of the paper will be discussed in class. Paper will be due Dec. 3 (last day of class)
ENST-502 Grading: Students are expected to attend a minimum of five lectures on environmental themes during the course of the semester and provide a one to two page summary of each lecture. On Wednesday Dec. 5, each student will make a 10 minute presentation summarizing their 501 term paper. Class grade will be based on the five short papers and one class presentation. At least three of these tasks must be completed to pass the course.
Office Hours:
SCI 225, Ext. 05835, Anytime I'm in my office or by appointment. Alternatively, feel free to look for me in my basement labs - B17 and B24, Ext. 05816.