Winter 1998

Discussions: CRN#82302: 1:10-2:00 pm Thursdays (105 Olson) CRN#82303: 2:10-3:00 pm Thursdays (105 Olson)

CRN#82304: 1:10-2:00 pm Fridays (116 Veihmeyer)

CRN#82305: 2:10-3:00 pm Fridays (116 Veihmeyer)

Grading: Pop quizzes in discussion sections (10%); 4 during the quarter

Problem sets, PS, (15%); 4 during the quarter

Writing summaries, WS, (20%); 4 during quarter

Midterm (25%)

Comprehensive Final (30%)

Required Text: Our Changing Planet, 2nd edition by Fred T. Mackenzie

Course Goal: To examine the interplay among climate, hydrology, vegetation distribution, soil processes, and biogeochemical cycles in diverse landscapes. Emphasis on physical, chemical, and biological processes shaping ecosystems.

Prerequisites: High school algebra and biology or chemistry.

Requirements: You are responsible for all of the material covered in the assigned readings, hand-outs, weekly discussions, and lecture material.

Exam Schedule: The midterm is scheduled for February 11 from 2:10-3:00 pm. The comprehensive final exam is scheduled for March 25 from 4:00-6:00 pm. Both exams will be given in 26 Wellman.

Exam Format: The comprehensive final exam will emphasize the material covered since the midterm. The exams are closed book.

Problem Sets: All problem sets (PS) must be submitted in hardcopy form to the ERS60 ‘bin’ in 151 Hoagland Hall by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesdays indicated in the following schedule. You may discuss the concepts of the problems with others, but the problems must be solved on your own. Late problem sets will NOT be accepted.

Writing summaries: The writing summaries (WS) are due in the ERS60 ‘bin’ in 151 Hoagland Hall by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesdays indicated in the following schedule. These summaries must be submitted as a double-spaced hard copy (not hand-written), maximum of 500 words. The WS should include information from one of the assigned readings (you choose) for discussion section, any discussion during lectures or discussion sections for the week, and at least two other references (not including the course text). Although students are encouraged to discuss assigned readings, every student must submit an individual summary. The summary must be written in your own words. References must be properly cited in your paper. Please use the following format for citations:

Reckonwith, Amanda B. 1998. El Niño or El Noñsense? Journal of Cosmetology 1:115-119.

Your summary should be well-written (spell-checked, logically-structured, coherent, concise, and include proper citations), critical, and imaginative. Your paper should make some progress toward explaining questions such as, (i) "Why should anyone in the Central Valley care about X?" , where X could be El Niño, desertification, or thermal erosion of permafrost, or (ii) "What assumptions were made in developing models of Y?", where Y is nitrogen cycling, erosion potential, or acid rain, or (iii) "How good are the data used to test the hypothesis Z?" , where Z is that runoff increases after clear cutting, that animal habitat is lost with loss of old-growth forest, or that soil organic matter decreases with conventional agriculture. Late summaries will NOT be accepted.

Created by R. Southard

Created on 06/03/98 6:41 PM

Last saved by Donald Greg 'Dig' McGahan

Last Saved on Wednesday, June 03, 1998