Students in this course will learn about the feedbacks between 
the Earth's climate, oceans, and the marine biosphere.  
Further, they will learn how observed and projected 
snthropogenic changes to the climate system impact the 
hydrologic cycle and the marine biosphere with subsequent 
feedbacks to climate.  Consequences to oceans and human health 
will be discussed in the context of climate change.  Students 
will learn from lecture material and by reading and discussing 
journal articles.  These lectures and discussions will utilize 
specific case studies and examples throughout.  Expertise 
across campus will be accessed where possible either by guest 
lectures or by student attendance at seminars.  By the end of 
the course, students will be able to design a research project 
aimed at improved understanding of these processes.  Learning 
outcomes will include enhanced development of leadership skills 
(through leading discussions and working groups) and the 
research project will provide training for future careers in 
research since it will be written in the form of an NSF-style 
proposal.

1.  Brief review of the Earth's climate system (the heat 
budget, radiative forcing, hydrologic cycle; includes brief 
comparison with other planets, other time periods on Earth)
2.  Climate models - evaluation and projections
3.  Links between the Earth's hydrologic cycle and its climate
A.  The role of clouds
B.  Feedbacks between oceans, terrestrial precipitation and 
evaporation, and rivers
C.  Cryosphere changes and impacts
D.  Sea level changes and impacts on coastal zones
4.  Marine biosphere responses to environmental change 
A. Observed
B. Hypothesized
5.  Marine biotic feedbacks to climate
A. Observed
B. Hypothesized
6.  Implications of climate-driven changes on oceans and human 
health
7.  Advancing our understanding with case studies
A.  Tropical River systems
B.  The Arctic
C.  The Antarctic
D.  Temperate coastal zones

All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A 
Culture of Honesty.”  Early on, this course will include 
training in what constitutes unauthorized assistance, e.g., 
failing to credit original sources and/or directly copying from 
the work of others. Each student is responsible for informing 
themselves about the standards contained in “A Culture of 
Honesty” before performing any academic work.  Evidence of 
academic dishonesty will be turned over to the Office of the 
Vice President for Instruction for consideration and possible 
action. The minimum penalty for a student found guilty of 
cademic dishonesty is a grade of “F” in the course.