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UNDERGRADUATE COURSES:

1. GEOG 40: Introduction to Earth System Science -- (Geog40 Fall 2008 syllabus)
2. GEOG/EPS/IB C82: The Oceans (w/ Prof. Jim Bishop, EPS) -- (c82 Fall 2009 syllabus) : CURRENT SEMESTER
3. GEOG 143: Global Change and Biogeochemistry -- (Geog143 Spring 2009 syllabus)
4. UGIS 192D: Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (see URAP website for details)
5. GEOG (upper): The Changing Arctic (planned for 2010)

GRADUATE COURSES:

1. GEOG 245: Topics in Biogeochemistry
2. GEOG 248: Introduction to field and laboratory methods in Earth System Science
3. GEOG/ESPM C302: Effective scientific communication (w/ Vincent Resh) (c302 Fall 2009 syllabus) : CURRENT SEMESTER
4. GEOG 243: Advances in Environmental Change Research (w/ Kurt Cuffey and John Chiang)

GUEST LECTURES:

1. Human and soil respiration (L&S C70)
2. Effective data presentation (Geog 200; Psych 293)
3. Measuring photosynthesis, respiration and soil properties (Geog 180)
4. Global warming solutions: green building/ eco-home (Geog 98/198)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

1. GEOG 40: Introduction to Earth System Science
(For all undergraduate levels). Fall semester (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010-spring)
Earth System Science is an interdisciplinary field that describes the cycling of energy and matter between the different spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and lithosphere) of the earth system.  The goals of this introductory Earth System Science course are to achieve a scientific understanding of important problems in global environmental change and to learn how to analyze a complex system using scientific methods.  The course will cover:

1. The fundamentals of the earth system (how the earth ‘works’)
2. Past changes in the Earth system (climate shifts in earth history)
3. Present changes in the Earth system (current trends and the human effect)

Specific topics include an introduction to climate, atmospheric circulation, ocean circulation and chemistry, ice ages, extreme climate events, global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and biodiversity loss.  3 hrs of lecture/week with 2 hour weekly lab sessions. There are no prerequisites for this class, although a basic understanding of chemistry and biology is required. Textbook: Elemental Geosystems (4th or 5th edition) by Robert Christopherson; The Earth System (2nd edition) by Kump, Kasting and Crane.

Fall 2008 Time Tu Thu 11-12:30
Location: McCone 145

2. GEOG/EPS/IB C82: Introduction to the Oceans

(For all undergraduate levels). Fall semester (2008, 2009)
This course introduces the geology, physics, chemistry, and biology of the world oceans.  The application of oceanographic sciences to human problems will be explored through special topics such as climate change, marine pollution, food from the sea (including fisheries), and coral reefs.

FALL 2008 Time:  Monday and Wednesdays, 1-2 pm
Location: Dwinelle Hall, Room 155

3. GEOG 143: Global change and Biogeochemistry
(For upper level undergraduate / beginning graduate levels). Spring semester (2005, 2006, 2009):
The field of biogeochemistry offers an interdisciplinary approach to modern global environmental issues, such as climate change feedback effects, stratospheric ozone loss, oxidation capacity of the atmosphere, land use change, and marine ecosystem health.  Earth is a complex system where the transformation and flow of chemicals and energy within and between biomes have ramifications for life on this planet. The overall theme of this course will be to explore the imprint of the biota (including humans) on the chemistry of the ocean, land and atmosphere.  This course will explore the biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biomes.  In addition, the global cycles of environmentally important elements and gases will be explored.

1. What is biogeochemistry, chemistry fundamentals
2. Atmosphere: composition, reactions, briefly dynamics
3. Lithosphere:  weathering reactions, soil biogeochemistry
4. Terrestrial productivity:  photosynthesis/ respiration on the ecosystem scale, carbon cycle
5. Wetlands:  redox, vegetation adaptations
6. Freshwater systems:  Lakes, rivers and estuaries
7. Oceans: productivity, air-sea gas exchange, carbon chemistry
8. Global biogeochemical cycles:  carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus
9. Global biogeochemical cycles:  sulfur, halogens, and water

Students will engage in independent research projects that will utilize some practical hands-on field or lab experiences. Projects will be presented at the end of the semester. Prerequisites: CHEM 1A/1B (or equivalent). Textbook: Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology (Chapin, Matson, and Mooney) and another text to be announced.

GRADUATE COURSES:

1. GEOG 245: Topics in Biogeochemistry (Spring semester)
(For upper level undergraduate/graduate students/post-docs interested in biogeochemistry)

• SPRING 2008: TERRESTRIAL FLUXES OF HALOGENATED AND SULFUR TRACE GASES
• SPRING 2007: ARCTIC BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
• SPRING 2006: BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF HALOMETHANES
• SPRING 2005: RECENT ADVANCES IN BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
• SPRING 2004: TOPICS OF BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

Weekly graduate seminar. Each week 4 recent or classic biogeochemistry papers are presented and discussed. Weekly themes will include: Origins of life and metabolic pathways, planetary geochemistry, earth's atmosphere, crustal processes, terrestrial primary production and detrital processes, terrestrial biogeochemistry, wetland biogeochemistry, freshwater biogeochemistry, ocean biogeochemistry, ocean carbon cycle, glacial to interglacial cycles, nutrients and biodiversity, and the global water, sulfur and halogen cycles. Post-docs are welcome to sit in.

2. GEOG 248: Introduction to field and laboratory methods in Earth System Science
(For upper level undergraduate/graduate levels.) Fall semester 2004, 2006.

Earth system science is an interdisciplinary field that probes the interaction between the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. This class will introduce essential laboratory and field-based research techniques in earth system science, including material selection, measurement fundamentals, gas collection, gas analyses, field methods, and data storage. This class is designed for 1st or 2nd year graduate students, although upper level undergraduates may enroll with instructor permission. Each week of classes will consist of approximately 1-hour lecture and a 2-hour laboratory or field project. Some weekend field trips may be included.

3. GEOG/ESPM C302: Effective scientific communication (w/ Vincent Resh)
(For graduate students in any scientific discipline). Fall semester 2007, 2009.
Course description: An integral part of the academic process is the written and oral communication of results and ideas. Academics are required to give presentations to diverse audiences: in the classroom, at seminars and conferences, and to the public. In addition, research results must be communicated in the written form, typically by publication in peer-reviewed journals. This course will introduce methods of organizing and delivering oral presentations, initiating and organizing manuscripts, and utilizing digital communication methods, such as web-based media. Students will develop effective communication techniques through in-class experience. This class will have an emphasis on the sciences but will be useful and open to graduate students of all disciplines.

Goals: Traditionally, graduate students are trained rigorously in the theory and methods relevant to their fields but must rely on experience to learn how to effectively communicate science. Thus, the goals of this course are to:

1. teach students to effectively use different media to communicate about their research.
2. provide the opportunity to practice skills in the writing and presentation of research