Education:
I offer or co-teach several courses at both the undergraduate- and graduate-level
that involve oceanography and climate.
Introduction to Climate and Climate Change (ATM 201) - An introduction to the Earth’s
climate system as it exists today, how the climate system has changed in the past,
and what future climates may look like in the future. Topics include the causes
of climate change, the response times of different parts of the climate system, interactions
and feedbacks between the atmosphere, oceans, ice, continents, and vegetation, and
the role of carbon as it moves within the climate system on different time-scales.
3 credits. (This course counts for DEC-E credit).
Current Topics in World Climate and Atmosphere (ATM 237, cross-listed with PHY 237)
- We will explore current concerns about modern global climate, including the greenhouse
effect, acid rain, and ozone loss, in a format accessible to non-science majors.
Topics include and introduction to the climate system, past climate variability
and climate forcing mechanisms, ecological effects of climate change, and human dimensions
of climate change. 3 credits. (This course counts towards DEC-H credit).
Oceanography (MAR 104) - An examination of the interactions between the biology,
chemistry, geology, and physics of the oceans that define the science of oceanography.
Suitable for non-science majors. 3 credits. (This course counts for DEC-E credit).
Geological Oceanography (MAR 506) - An introduction to the geological oceanography
of the world ocean with emphasis on the coastal environment, discussions of the
physical processes controlling the structure and evolution of the ocean basins and
continental margins, the distribution of marine sediment, and the development of
coastal features. 3 credits.
Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology (MAR 545) - The course will provide an extensive
overview of the methods used in paleoclimate research and an examination of important
climate events during the Late-Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. We will discuss proxies
used to create paleoclimate reconstructions forcing mechanisms on interannual to
million year time scales, climate effects on geological and biological processes,
and the modeling of present climate and extrapolation to past and future climates.
3 credits.
Big Science (MAR 665) - This discussion-style course will focus on integrated ocean
and atmosphere topics such as ocean acidification, climate change ecosystem/regional
impacts, potential anthropogenic influences on weather phenomena, climate forcing
mechanisms and time-scales of response, etc. 1 credit (but we may expand to 2 credits
in the future).
Where Science and Politics Collide (SSO 102) - Science and politics initially appear
to be very different subjects, but in reality, they can be very closely intertwined.
We will explore a variety of issues where science and politics overlap. Topics
include endangered species and land use, whaling, stem cell research, evolution,
energy resources, global change, and science’s role in government. 1 credit.
