Global Environmental Systems
Fall 2008
Geography 204

Announcements

12/3/08 Synthesis update: Perhaps my instructions weren't clear enough, but the synthesis is supposed to be a single document that includes all the sections you've already turned in and some extra introductory and connecting material to make the whole thing a cohesive paper. As previously noted on the webpage the sections of this single document should be something like: Introduction, Climate, B/T/S, Geomorphology, Conclusion, Bibliography. Figures can be included in that document too (before the bibliography), or sent in a separate document.

12/2/08 Presentation guidelines.

Suggestions for a good presentation

• practice
• practice in front of a friend
• vary your tone of voice
• look at the audience, not your notes
• interact with the audience
• don't fidget
• avoid filler words: um, uh, like
• plan your time (10 minute presentation plus 1 minute for questions)
• choose clear graphics
• 1 idea per slide - often summarized in sentence form in the slide's title
• 1 slide per minute is usually a good rate. If you have more than 20 slides I guarantee it will feel rushed.
• don't include tables - they are hard to follow

Logisitics

If you would like to use the web or Google Earth, please send me the web address or placemark (or make sure it is an easy thing to search for) so that we can proceed without delays. If you would like to use Powerpoint, you will need to get your presentation onto my computer somehow. Option 1: Email it to me by noon the day of your presentation. This is the preferred method because then I can check to make sure everything displays correctly. Option 2: Show up for class 10 minutes early with your presentation on a flash drive. Either way, the following will help to ensure a working presentation (especially important for Mac users):

• Save the file as a PowerPoint Show (extension .pps) instead of a regular file (.ppt).
• I have PowerPoint 2003 so if you have a newer version, save it using the 2003 option.
• Save any images or animations you grab off the web in the folder where your presentation resides and have them on your flash drive as backup to the images embedded in your powerpoint.

Grading

As noted on the project page, presentations will be graded using the following criteria.

• Clear presentation of the information: 5pts.
• Level of detail in the presentation (it ought to be greater than previous lectures): 10pts.
• Synthesis of ideas from the different data sources: 10pts.
• Engage the audience: 5pts.

The order below was determined by the signup sheet that went around in class today. For those that weren't there today, I assigned you to the days randomly. If you can't make your assigned day you need to email me by 3pm tomorrow (Wednesday) so I can adjust the schedule.

I realize this is a bunch of rules/instructions, but I hope they will make for interesting presentations and easy logistics.

Schedule

Dec 4
Sugrue
Miner
Cinfio
Vega
Mieding (last volunteer)
Rigby
Robinson
Abe
Young
White

Dec 9
Duff
Lewis
Lamothe
Ortiz
Wiles
Fox
Giese (last volunteer)
Colyer
Warren
Crato
Balkan

Dec 11
Rockdale
Lundy
Hodgins
Nimrod
McMahon
Talaugon
Lowe
Hornstra
Ellingsworth
Hamilton

11/26/08 Note that the geomorphology section of your project is due on Tuesday Dec 2nd. Next Tuesday's lecture is on Earth and Humanity. This is the last lecture before the presentations start. So, if you feel like you need to bolster the class participation part of your grade Tuesday will be your last opportunity. So far, we have three activities that will factor into the class participation grade: volunteering (you've written your name on my sheet), biome presentations, and landslide experiments. If you have done all three of those things, you will get full credit for the participation part of your grade. If you have done two of those and asked a bunch of questions in class, you will get full credit. Otherwise, you should volunteer to discuss one of the 12 paradigms that the book talks about in Chapter 17. Claim which one you would like to talk about by filling in the form below. Please don't duplicate what others have chosen, but feel free to pair up to present on a topic. Send me any figures you would like to display on the screen by Tuesday at 12 noon.

11/20/08 Here are today's lecture notes (2.8 Mb) on periglacial landforms and climate changes. Uncredited pictures are my own.

11/16/08 The Quiz 4 review is up.

11/2/08 I posted the movies from the sediment stability experiments.

10/27/08 Example questions are now up too.

10/23/08 The quiz 3 review sheet is up. Sample questions will follow tomorrow.

10/16/08 Putting Down Roots In Earthquake Country can be found on the USGS Earthquake Hazards webpage. I showed movies from the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). In other news, a couple people have said that the links in the sidebar don't work with some versions of Internet Explorer. Try the sitemap instead.

10/1/08 Sample questions are now up too.

10/1/08 The review sheet is up. Sample questions will follow later today.

9/25/08 For those who may be having trouble finding solar radiation data for their projects, here are a few good sources.

• The World Meteorological Organization and the World Radiation Data Centre have data which can be accessed through NASA's Atmospheric Science Data Center. You will have to create a login and then click the "Meteorology and Solar Energy" link or the "Ground Site" link.
• The National Solar Radiation Database is a good source for sites within the USA. They also have an easier-to-navigate pdf version of the 1961-1990 data. That's where I got the data for the quiz#1 question. Note that we're interested in the radiation that hits the ground surface, which is horizontal in most cases, so we want the first line of those data tables: Solar Radiation for Flat-Plate Collectors at a tilt of 0 degrees. Or you can just use the figure they created but know that the numbers are slightly different for a surface that is tilted. Also note that 1 kWh/day = 41.67 W.
• A site with global coverage and "hours of sunshine" data is a travel website. It is sad that they have a better interface to the data than any government organizations - and they don't even give a source for the data, but it looks to me like it is reasonably reliable.
• A photovoltaics site has a Java Applet showing what solar radiation you would get in the absence of clouds at different latitudes.

9/24/08 I posted the El Niño lecture under "Readings." The topic of discussion for 9/25/08, the IPCC Summary for Policymakers, is there too.

9/9/08 The study guide should show up in the sidebar on the left side of your screen under the quizzes menu. If it doesn't show up you may need to reload this page (click the refresh button, or shift-click the refresh button).

Instructor

Andrew Bliss
Office: Stevenson 3009A
Office hours: Tuesday 3-4 p.m. and by appointment
Email: blissclass at gmail
Webpage: http://glacierbliss.com/

Lectures

TTh 5-6:50; 3036 Stevenson Hall
Lectures will include discussion so you'll have to keep up with the assigned readings.

Course website

Announcements, extra readings, web links, test answers after the fact, and more will be posted. I use a little bit of JavaScript for the navigation bar on the left side. If you are using IE7 with the default settings, you will need to click the warning bar to allow the "blocked content" to run.

Required reading

Elemental Geosystems by Robert Christopherson (5th edition). Pages to read for each class are listed on the syllabus. Additionally, we may read some recent scientific papers which will be distributed in class or on-line.

Grading

Class Activities 10%

We'll have a variety of in-class activities including impromptu student presentations, group work, and writing exercises.

Quizzes 50% (12.5% each)

The exams will have a mix of multiple choice, short answer, and short essay questions. Exams will emphasize conceptual understanding and critical thinking and will minimize memorization.

Project 40%

The project will have a number of parts with due dates distributed over the semester, culminating in presentations at the end of the semester. The project page has more details.

Your responsibilities

• Attend lectures. Be punctual.
• Do the reading and assignments.
• Participate in lecture, discuss in groups, and ask questions.
• Maintain the highest academic integrity.

Teaching philosophy

To me, the natural world is a fascinating place. The beauty and complexity of what I see around me motivates me to want to understand how it works. Observations of the real world form the basis for scientific theories which can lead to predictive models of the processes that shape the landscape around us. In this class we will look at a number of parts of the earth system, trying to understand each on its own, but also understand the interactions between all the parts. To accomplish this, we will draw from a variety of scientific disciplines: chemistry, math, biology, geology, and physics. We will use a variety of instructional techniques including traditional lectures, peer instruction, audience participation, in-class demonstrations, and a field trip or two.

Course Description

An integrated study of the physical environment, focusing on the processes and relationships between the four spheres: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Major topics include global and regional patterns of climate and weather, soils, distribution of plants and animals on earth, and erosional and depositional processes that create landforms on the earth's surface. Also explored are links between human activities and changes in climate and vegetation patterns and dominant landform processes. Field trips and hands-on lab exercises included. Satisfies GE, category B3 (Specific Emphasis in Natural Sciences). CAN GEOG 2.

Disabled Students

If you have a disabling condition that may substantially limit your ability to participate in this class, please contact the Disabled Students Services located in Salazar 1049, phone at 664-2677, for confidential assistance and accommodation authorization.

Acknowledgements

Dolly Friedel and Jeff Baldwin have graciously shared their ideas and some of the course materials you see here.