Spring 2022 - EVSC 334 D100

Earth's Past Climates (4)

Class Number: 6313

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 19, 2022
    Tue, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    REM 100 or EVSC 100; GEOG 111 or EASC 101 or EASC 106; and 45 units. Recommended: EASC 210, GEOG 214 or GEOG 215.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Paleoclimatology is the study of how and why Earth's climate has changed in the past. Paleoclimalologists study ice ages, past abrupt changes, and what the Earth was like during past climate warm periods. The knowledge gained from paleoclimate studies provides us with the information needed to refine climate models, so that we understand how the Earth's climate works, and better predict how human activity will impact climate in the future. Describes the tools used by paleoclimatologists to reconstruct past climate change and evaluate the hypothesis put forth to explain those changes. Students with credit for REM 334 may not take this course for further credit. Students who have taken REM 463-3 "Special Topics" in Spring 2019 may not enroll in this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course students will examine climate change through the lens of the past: they will explore the tools used by paleoclimatologists to unravel past climate change, investigate important changes in the Earth’s past climate, and evaluate the emerging hypotheses put forth to explain those changes. Students will gain interdisciplinary knowledge of paleoclimate tools from geology, biology, chemistry, archaeology, statistics, and climate science, and communicate the important ways in which Earth's climate changes

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and appreciate the relevance of past climate behavior for understanding of future climate change.
  2. Understand tools used to reconstruct past climate changes.
  3. Explain emerging ideas in paleoclimate science (e.g., the Early Anthropocene Hypothesis; Chemical Weathering Hypothesis, Monsoon Theory).
  4. Identify and communicate relevant evidence used to support or refute emerging hypotheses.
  5. Read, interpret, evaluate, and communicate a point of view expressed in a scientific journal article.

Grading

  • Research Article Analysis 20%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • In-Class Exams: Two unit exams (15% each) 30%
  • Final exam 20%
  • Assignment and In-Class Exercises 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Ruddiman, W. F. (2014). Earth's climate: Past and future. 3rd Edition New York: W.H. Freeman 464 pp.

Relevant Journal articles provided by the instructor.

Broecker, W (2002) The Glacial World According to Wally, 3rd Edition, New York: Eldigio Press, 358 pp.
https://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~broecker/Home_files/GlacialWorld.pdf

RECOMMENDED READING:

Imbrie, J, and KP Imbrie (1979) Ice Ages: Solving the Mystery. Short Hills, NJ: Enslow, 224 pp.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.