| | Searching Current Courses For Fall 2016 |
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Course: |
GEY 115
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Title: | Climate Change and Geology |
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Long Title: | Climate Change and Geology |
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Course Description: | Explores global climate change issues through the lens of time. Students will learn about techniques that scientists use to obtain data on climate change. They will examine how geologic events lead to complex interactions between Earth’s different systems throughout Earth’s history. The influence of positive/negative feedback loops on changes in Earth’s systems will be analyzed. Students will apply lessons learned from ancient examples to modern conditions and propose adaptations to cope with future conditions.
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Min Credit: | 3 |
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Max Credit: | |
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Status Notes: | NCE JLG 2.27.15 |
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Origin Notes: | TSJC |
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TOPICAL OUTLINE
1. Define climate and be able to discuss the components of the climate system.
2. Apply the scientific method.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of tools and techniques utilized by scientists to obtain and analyze climate data.
4. Define the terms geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere and explain how they interact.
5. Describe the primary geological influences on climate change.
6. Demonstrate how positive/negative feedback loops operate on Earth’s systems to bring about climate change.
7. Explain events that influence climatic shifts between ‘greenhouse’ and ‘icehouse’ conditions on Earth.
8. Define eustatic sea level change and discuss some of the causes for rise and fall of sea level.
9. List and describe major climatic events throughout Earth’s history that greatly influenced climate change.
10. Compare and contrast natural causes of climate change versus anthropogenic causes.
11. Propose ways of mitigating and adapting to climate change.
12. Read, analyze and apply written material to new situations.
13. Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays.
14. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile information.
15. Use math to understand geologic concepts and answer geologic questions.
STANDARD COMPETENCIES
I. Definition of climate and how Earth’s climate functions
II. Scientific method
III. Earth’s spheres - geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere and hydrosphere
IV. Modeling Earth’s past and present climate systems
a. Techniques for studying past climatic conditions
b. Techniques for studying current climatic conditions
V. Geologic influences on climate
a. Plate tectonics
b. Rifting events
c. Orogeny
VI. Positive/negative feedback loops and their influence on climate change
VII. Greenhouse versus Icehouse: Interactions between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the cryosphere
VIII. Causes for eustatic sea level change
IX. History of climate change
a. Proterozoic Eon
b. Paleozoic Era
c. Mesozoic Era
d. Cenozoic Era
X. Climate change in the last 10,000 years up to the Industrial Revolution
XI. The Present
a. Natural causes of recent warming
b. Anthropogenic causes of recent warming
XII. The Future
a. Managing causes of recent warming
b. Adapting to climate change
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