[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2004/2005

Climate Change and Atmostpheric Chemistry: Role of CO2 in Climate
E&ES 359 FA

The climate of the earth has always been changing during earth history. In this class we look at what determines climate (climate physics), what determines weather (distribution of heat on the earth), and provide a short review of the main climatic changes through the 4.5 billion years of earth history. We then switch to the main topic of the course: CO2 and modern global climate change. The role of CO2 in earth processes is very large relative to the modest quantities of it that are present in the atmosphere. We will study all aspects of the chemistry and biology of CO2 (broadly the carbon cycle of all its loops) with experimental classes that use our CO2 monitoring facility. We will carry out experiments on temporal variations in CO2 in the Middletown atmosphere, spatial atmospheric CO2, variations around Middletown (forest versus swamp versus town) and CO2 uptake in water. We will discuss empirical evidence for modern global warming, and engage in some limited climate modeling with simple computer programs. We will discuss the attempts of the global community to limit anthropogenic CO2 emissions (e.g., Kyoto protocol) and with our computer routine we will model future climate given some economic scenarios.

MAJOR READINGS

Selected readings from textbooks, articles, and on-line accounts, plus handouts. E&ES majors with a strong interest in climate science should consider buying Ruddiman: EARTH CLIMATE- PAST AND FUTURE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

midterm exam, project, lab report

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

To enjoy this class, you should have a basic understanding of the earth (E&ES 101 and/or 199, latter required) and preferably a background in Geochemistry (E&ES 280), although basic Intro Chemistry will do. Professor Gary Yohe (Economics) will teach a module in this class on future economic scenarios, the Kyoto treaty, and "adaptation versus mitigation" to Climate Change. You should enjoy a hands-on approach in monitoring CO2 in various settings, grow plants under different CO2 conditions, etc. and no t be too scared for computer modelling (no prior experience required, but knowledge of Excel is always good).

This is an elective course for E&ES majors and a 'concentration course' for Environmental Studies Certificate program students.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: E&ES199 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459