Syllabus: Environmental Issues in Geosciences

SYLLABUS

Print your own copy: syllabus in PDF Format

Syllabus sections:

Time and place

Benson Earth Sciences (BESC), Room 1B75 (basement), TR, 11:00-12:15 P.M.

Instructor

Professor Scott Lehman

Benson Earth Sciences (BESC) Office
Room 246F, ph. 492-5478
Office Hours: 10:00 – 11:00 A.M., TR, or by e-mail (best) or phone appointment

East Campus, RL-1 (INSTAAR) Office
Room 157, ph. 492-8980

e-mail: scott.lehman@colorado.edu

Textbook

"Global Warming; Understanding the Forecast", D. Archer, Blackwell Publ., 2007.
You will need to purchase a copy of the text.

"Dire Predictions; Understanding Global Warming", M. Mann & L. Kump, DK Publ. 2009.

This is a useful supplemental text.

Web access

Course content other useful information can be found at http://instaar.colorado.edu/lehman. Lecture notes will be posted for retrieval at the site in PDF format immediately following presentation in class. This site will also contain reading and homework assignments, exam results, and other useful material.

College core requirements

GEOL/ENVS 3520 is approved as part of the Natural Sciences core curriculum.

Expectations

GEOL/ENVS 3520 is a natural science course, and will stress scientific methods used to evaluate problems of global concern. Although the course does not require complex mathematical skills or rigorous chemical formulations, it will involve simple algebraic manipulations of data and the use of simple web-based Earth System models.

Grading and Exams

There will be two 1-hour exams given during the semester. Hour-exams will focus on material covered since the previous examination, but basic principles covered in class will be required for later exams. The Final Exam will cover the entire course content. There will be approximately 6 homework assignments.

Your final grade will be based on the following:
      i) average of Hour-Exam scores (30%)
      ii) Final Exam score (30%)
      iii) average of Homework scores (30%)

iv) average iClicker participation and quizzes (10%)

Exams are scheduled well in advance. If you are unable to attend when the test is to be given, you must contact me before the test date, or provide a note from your physician documenting a medical or family emergency, in order to arrange for a make-up exam sitting.

iClickers

An iClicker is required for this course and can be purchased at the CU Bookstore. You must register your iClicker at CUConnect (instructions are available at http://www.Colorado.EDU/its/cuclickers/students/). Old-style RF clickers can not be used. Use of an iClicker registered to another student may be considered a violation of the Student Honor Code (see below).

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations should obtain a letter from Disability Services (DS) and discuss specific needs with the me. DS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities (Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices)

Religious obligations

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Students with conflicts between religious observance dates and course exams or assignments must notify me via email at least two weeks in advance of the event so that reasonable and appropriate accommodations can be arranged. If an exam date conflicts with a religious observance, you may arrange ahead of time for a make-up sitting or use this event to exercise your option to drop one exam from the first three exams (see Grading and Exams above). The final exam cannot be dropped. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

Classroom behavior policy: Please review the classroom behavior policy and associated procedures at www.colorado.edu/policies/index.html. Note that pets are not allowed in University buildings, so please do not bring your dog to class.

Student honor code

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution.

Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

Academic integrity

Sanctions will be imposed for breaches of academic honesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.). Refer to the site: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/acadinteg.html or a copy of the "Guide to Student Life, 2004-05" to review university policy on academic integrity.

Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

The University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the policy on Amorous Relationships applies to all students, staff and faculty (see: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html). Any student,
staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh