SCIE70007G
Global Warming:The Impact of Climate Change
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  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 
Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2014
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents:
N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Cross College Courses
Program Coordinator(s): Jonah Santa-Barbara
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version:
1.01
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Students learn about the combined effects of greenhouse gas emissions, ozone depletion and other environmental concerns. Students examine climate change and assess the effectiveness of international initiatives in managing global warming. Through in-depth lecture, group activity, presentations and through a simulated climate change conference, students analyze possible implications of climate change and explore sustainability issues.

Program Context

 
Cross College Courses Program Coordinator: Jonah Santa-Barbara
This course is part of the General Education curriculum which is designed to contribute to the development of the student's consciousness of the diversity, complexity and richness of the human experience; their ability to establish meaning through this consciousness; and, as a result, their ability to contribute thoughtfully, creatively, and positively to the society in which they live and work. General Education courses strengthen student's generic skills, such as critical analysis, problem solving, and communication, in the context of an exploration of topics with broad-based personal and/or societal importance.


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

 
 1.  Distinguish between weather and climate using the basic concepts  
of meteorology.
2.  Identify the fundamentals of the Earth's climate system.
3.  Examine the scientific evidence linking greenhouse gases and 
global warming.
4.  Outline the causes of historical long-term climate change between 
naturally occurring conditions and the human footprint.
5.  Discuss climate change and how it relates to the current debate 
over global warming and the Greenhouse Effect.
6.  Assess computer-generated global warming scenarios to determine 
the effects on climate change.
7.  Outline mitigation and adaptation strategies which minimize the 
impact of climate change on organisms and ecosystems.
8.  Present research results of everyday issues and practices 
involving climate change.
9.  Trace the history of international initiatives in managing 
climate change.
Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Short presentations             20%
(two 10 minute presentations at 10% each)

Final presentation              10%
Final report                    20%

Mid-term written test           20%

Final written test              20%

In Class Activities             10%

TOTAL                           100%
Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:

 

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

  Communication   Critical Thinking & Problem Solving   Interpersonal
  Numeracy   Information Management   Personal

Notes: N/A

General Education
This General Education course relates to the following themes as specified by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

  Arts In Society   Civic Life
  Social and Cultural Understanding X Science and Technology
  Personal Understanding    

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) : Office of the Registrar

Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

Challenge Exam Portfolio Interview Other Not Eligible for PLAR
    X    

Notes:  N/A

 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Winter 2014
Professor: Multiple Professors
Textbook(s):
No Text Required

Applicable student group(s): Continuing Education Students
Course Details:
Week 1
Introduction and Course Requirements
Module:  Weather, Climate and Phusical Meteorology

Topics:
- the difference between weather and climate
- laws of thermodynamics
- radiation
- energy balance at surface and top of atmosphere

Readings:  
- none

WEEK 2
Module: Synoptic Meteorology

Topics:
- forces
- basic meteorology theory
- weather systems
- hurricanes and tornadoes

Readings:
- Earth's climate system

WEEK 3
Module: The Earth's Climate System

Topics:
- water cycle
- mountains
- ocean circulation
- El Nino

Readings:
- Climate Change: Tampering with Earth's thermostat

WEEK 4
Module: Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect

Topics:
- the long-tern temperature recors
- causes of climate change
- the Greenhouse Effect
- historical and projected Greenhouse gas concentrations

Readings:
- Understanding Climate Change
In class activity (5%)

WEEK 5
Module: Producing Climate Change Scenarios

Topics:
- what is a climate model?
- computer simulations 
- downscaling issues
- mid-term review

Readings:
- Visit CCCma website to learn further information:
http://www/cccma.bc.ec.gc.ca
- Study for mid-term
In class activity (5%)

WEEK 6
Module: Detecting Climate Change

** Mid-term Exam ** (1 hour)  (20%)

Topics:
- simple statistics
- have we detected climate change?
- climate extremes

Readings:
- none

WEEK 7
Module: The Long-Term Effects of Global Warming

Topics:
- review of mid-term
- climate impacts
- adapting to Climate Change

Readings:
- find information on a region of Canada or a sector and prepare a 3 
minute talk (10%)  Presentation # 1

WEEK 8
Module: Climate Science and Policy

Topics:
- in-class presentation #1
- the state of climate science
- science vs policy

Readings:
- Prepare a 3-minute talk (total) on 3 climate change related 
articles (10%)  Presentation #2

WEEK 9
Module: Are We All in Agreement Here?

Topics: 
- in-class presentation #2
- contrasting views from scientists and others
- propoganda: the battle for people's hearts and minds

Readings:
- survey newspapers/on-line for pro/con articles (general interest)

WEEK 10
Module: International Perspective

Topics:
- emissions versus concentrations
- trends in CO2 emissions
- general history
- the road to Rio and the UNFCCC
- the Kyoto Protocol
- the Copenhagen Accord

Readings:
- UNFCCC and Kyoto

WEEK 11
Module: Responding to the Kyoto Protocol

Topics:
- the carbon cycle
- a Canadian perspective
- sources, sinks and reservoirs
- politics and what can governments do
- what can WE do?
- setting the stage for our international conference

Readings:
- start preparing background work for conference

WEEK 12
Module: Laying the Groundwork for Negotiations

Topics:
- open discussion on tipping points
- overview of the structure of next week's conference
- preparing position papers

Readings:
- prepare for conference

WEEK 13
Module: the Conference

Topics:
- presentation by groups
- 1-hour conference (10%)
- debriefing final report (20%)
- review for final exam

Readings:
- study for final exam

WEEK 14
Module: Final Exam (20%)


Sheridan Policies

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Academic Integrity: The principle of academic integrity requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original, unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the professor, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic integrity are advised to review the Academic Integrity Policy and procedure and/or discuss them with the professor.

Copyright: A majority of the course lectures and materials provided in class and posted in SLATE are protected by copyright. Use of these materials must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, Use of Copyright Protected Work Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Students may use, copy and share these materials for learning and/or research purposes provided that the use complies with fair dealing or an exception in the Copyright Act. Permission from the rights holder would be necessary otherwise. Please note that it is prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote. It is also prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own or your own work with the intent to assist others in cheating on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote.

Intellectual Property: Sheridan's Intellectual Property Policy generally applies such that students own their own work. Please be advised that students working with external research and/or industry collaborators may be asked to sign agreements that waive or modify their IP rights. Please refer to Sheridan's IP Policy and Procedure.

Respectful Behaviour: Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that supports academic achievement by respecting the dignity, self-esteem and fair treatment of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination, Academic Integrity and other academic policies are available on the Sheridan policy website.

Accessible Learning: Accessible Learning coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information or to register, please see the Accessible Learning website (Statement added September 2016)

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.


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