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Academic Year 2001/2002


Earth System Science and Global Change
E&ES 301 FA

Environments on earth are continually changing, but do so in a connected way. Natural and anthropogenic processes can create a chain of events with far-reaching implications for the world's outer shell of air and water. In this course we will address ocean-atmosphere-biosphere-lithosphere interactions and their influence on the "livability" of the earth. In the first half of the semester, we will delve into the early history of the earth, the formation of atmosphere, oceans and continents and gain insights into geological processes over time. The second half will deal largely with exospheric processes and provide some basic insights into global climate, element cycles that relate to life, sea level variations and changes in atmospheric composition . During this second part we will also look into the human influences on the exosphere, especially the fossil fuel carbon flux and synthetic compounds in nature (CFCs, radioactive substances).

MAJOR READINGS

textbook (to be announced), journal articles, handouts.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Midterm exam, problem sets, final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM E&ES    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: (E&ES101 AND E&ES106 AND E&ES280) Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002


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