Course Description
Focuses on the role of the oceans and the marine biosphere in climate, with particular emphasis on feedback mechanisms between humans, climate, and the hydrologic cycle and the marine biosphere. Students in this course will learn about the feedbacks between the Earth's climate, oceans, and the marine biosphere.
Athena Title
Climate Ocean Marine Biosphere
Pre or Corequisite
(MARS 8010 and MARS 8020-8020L and MARS 8030 and MARS 4810/6810) or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
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.
Topical Outline
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
Syllabus
Public CV