GLY1073 Syllabus
Earth
System Science Philosophy
Course Description:
An overview of the Earth Sciences from a system's perspective. Students
will learn to view the Earth as a complex system of interacting components including the
atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. Course content will emphasize
the mass and energy transfers between subsystems, including discussion of
the social, economic, and ecological implications of global climate change. This course meets general education requirement in the physical sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Objectives:
To develop an integrated understanding of the Earth as a system and
the role that humans have played in modifying the dynamics of the system. To understand the science (and uncertainties) behind global climate change.
It is especially timely that the IPCC 4th Assessment Report has recently been released and we will scrutinize the findings of this report. See: (IPCC Website)
Credit hours:
3 hours consisting of 2 hrs. lecture and 1-2 hr. computer laboratory
per week.
Meeting times:
Lecture: Tuesday & Thursday, Period 3, Williamson Room
202, 9:35 to 10:25 AM
Laboratory: Wednesday, Periods 2&3, Weil Hall, Room 412 (enter through CIRCA computer lab 410?) (Weil Hall), 8:30-10:25
Discussion/Laboratory:
Laboratory will consist of computer modeling exercises
using Stella
(Systems Modeling Software). No former computer knowledge is assumed or
required. Students will also create an "electronic term paper"
and make a presentation (Powerpoint) to the class.
Instructor:
Dr. David
Hodell, Professor of Geology, 366 Williamson Hall, 392-6137, email:
dhodell@geology.ufl.edu
Hodell's Office Hours:
Room 366 Williamson Hall
T, Th 10:30 to 12 noon (after class, or anytime by appointment).
Textbook:
There is no textbook for this class. Reading assignments will
be electronic or xeroxed and given to you in class. We will rely heavily on the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. I recommend you download all chapters at (IPCC Website)
Grading:
The grading for the course is simple and is based on a total of 400
points you can earn during the course of the semester.
Letter grades will be assigned at the end of the semester as follows:
360 to 400 points = A
340 to 359 points = B+
320 to 339 points = B
300 to 319 points = C+
280 to 299 points = C
260 to 279 points = D+
240 to 259 points = D
Here's how you can earn points:
1st hourly exam = 75 points
2nd hourly exam = 75 points
3rd hourly exam = 75 points
Note: there is no final examination.
Attendance = 25 points
Attendance is required in both lecture and laboratory. There are
no make-ups for Stella labs. Attendance will be taken for each lecture
and laboratory session throughout the semester.
Stella exercises = 80 points (10 pts for each of 8 exercises)
Term paper = 70 points
total (35 pts for the paper (i.e., web site),
and 35 pts for the presentation)
This is a tentative lecture schedule that will be updated throughout
the course of the semester. Exam dates are fixed and will not change. Reading
assignments will be given in class and available under the class notes section
of the GLY1073 homepage.
Academic Honesty Policy
I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to
be honest in all of their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment
to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment
may result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the
University.
