Harper, Joel T.

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana University of Montana Course Syllabi Open Educational Resources (OER) Fall 9-1-2021 GEO 488.01: Snow, Ice, and Climate Change Joel T. Harper University of Montana, Missoula, joel.harper@umontana.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Harper, Joel T., "GEO 488.01: Snow, Ice, and Climate Change" (2021). University of Montana Course Syllabi. 12352. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/12352 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Open Educational Resources (OER) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Montana Course Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu.                                                                                        Snow, Ice and Climate Change (GEOS 488), 3 credits Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00-12:15, SC304 Note: This course has a fully-developed Moodle site with a day-by-day class schedule,other resources and information, and assignments and activities. The Moodle site is updated frequently, so make sure to check the site prior to each class meeting. Instructor information Dr. Joel HarperOffice: ISB 406-COffice ph: 406-243-5867e-mail: Joel@mso.umt.eduCourse description Frozen water (i.e., glaciers, ice sheets, seasonal snow, and sea ice) is a primarycomponent of Earth's climate system that both drives and responds to climate change.This course examines the role of snow and ice in four key aspects of climate change,highlighting unsolved problems and current research: 1) global sea level rise andstability of ice sheets; 2) Arctic amplification of climate change and sea ice processes; 3) climate system feedbacks revealed by ice cores; and, 4) water supply and mountain snowpack dynamics.Learning outcomes  Specific:• synthesize the processes in the cryosphere controlling rates of future sea level rise.• describe how sea ice processes drive planetary albedo and the implications for enhanced climate change at the poles.• explain the importance of climate change feedbacks as revealed by ice core timeseries of temperature, precipitation, and greenhouse gas concentration.• integrate understanding of the snow processes to evaluate the implications of warming climate on snow-water runoff.Overarching: • interpret and reconcile how the Earth’s cryosphere both drives climate changethrough couplings and feedbacks, and responds to climate change in ways that havestrong societal impacts.Course text No formal text required. Reading assignments will be distributed via Moodle.Emailing I may occasionally conduct email correspondence with class members and I will useofficial UM email addresses. All email sent to me must originate from your official UMemail address (email originating from non-UM addresses will not be read or respondedto). Sorry, but this is the law I am required to follow.                                                                                               Format  Classes will consist of lectures and discussions, in-class exercises, and out-of-class exercises. A major component of this course is completing the assigned reading andpreparing for class discussions. Lectures will not necessarily cover all material presentedin the reading, nor will all material presented in the lectures be replicated by the readingmaterial. However, exams will cover material from both the lectures, assigned reading,and discussions.Prerequisites Junior standing; Preferably Math 151 (very basic algebra will occasionally be used inlectures). Familiarity and comfort with computers will be necessary.Evaluation criteria for letter grade -Three exams (2 midterms and a final, equally weighted): 35%-One written research proposal and group presentation: 20%-Reading assignments and in-class participation: 15%-Data assignments: 30%Graduate Increment The research proposal will be crafted and presented as an individual rather as part of a group. The proposal will longer (>10 pages) and must include an exhaustive synthesis of prior research on the topic, outlining what is known about the topic and clearly identifying the scientific problems remaining to be solved.Other Policies >All homework assignments are due at the start of class on designated due date.>Because this course has a relatively large enrollment, and because we will attempt tograde and return homework assignments rapidly, late work cannot be accepted.>The format of this course requires class attendance. Substantial course content and information transfer will only occur in class. Because of the relatively large enrollment,we cannot accommodate individual make-ups for missed classes. This is not a goodcourse for you if it is not possible for you to always attend class sessions.Course Accommodations The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaborationbetween students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students. Ifyou have a disability that adversely affects your academic performance, and you havenot already registered with Disability Services, please contact Disability Services at 406-243-2243. I will work with you and Disability Services to provide an appropriateaccommodation. Schedule A tentative schedule has been posted on the Moodle site. Note that this schedule is subject to change as the course progresses. The course topics and dates of homework assignments in particular may be adjusted. However the following dates will not be changed.  -Midterm-1: Tuesday October 5                 -Midterm-2: Thursday October 28-Midterm-3 (Final): Thursday Dec 16, 10:10-12:10All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by theUniversity.  All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code isavailable for review online at: http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.phpUM regulations are that: 1. Face masks are required to be worn in the classroom at all times until further notice. This is necessary to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus.  2. Students must always sit in assigned seating locations. This is necessary for contact tracing of infectious disease cases. 

GEO 488.01: Snow, Ice, and Climate Change

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GEO 488.01: Snow, Ice, and Climate Change

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