Environmental Science: Case Studies

Fall 2007

Environmental Science: Case Studies

Listed in: Geology, as GEOL-09

Faculty

James W. Hagadorn (Section 01)

Description

Industrialized society has been a major agent of environmental change. In this course, we will examine environmental issues by first examining processes that operate in natural systems and then assessing how we have modified such systems. Analysis of several environmental case studies will be used as a vehicle to understand the scientific issues associated with environmental change. Topics will include pollution, natural resources, global warming, landscape denudation, and habitat change. Data from the scientific literature will be emphasized. Three hours of lecture each week. First semester. Professor Hagadorn.

Course times and locations

GEOL 09 - L/D

Section 01
M 08:30 AM - 09:50 AM ESNH 107
W 08:30 AM - 09:50 AM ESNH 107

Course Materials

Syllabus:
Click here to download the syllabus

Readings:
Introduction, Atmosphere, Milankovitch, Climate Controls, Climate Feedback, Climate Record, Climate Events, Younger Dryas, Global Warming I, Global Warming II, Global Warming III, State of Fear, Fossil Fuels I, Fossil Fuels II, Middle East Oil I, Middle East Oil II, ANWR, Coal I, Coal II, Fuel Cells I, Fuel Cells II, Photovoltaics I, Photovoltaics II, Photovoltaics III, Wind Energy I, Wind Energy II

Supplemental Readings:
Perils of Petrocracy
Penetrating Winds
A Sound Use for Heat

Case Study Readings:
ANWR Hydrocarbons
Arctic Hydrocarbons
Middle East Hydrocarbons
Sea Level Impacts: China & India
Green Vehicles: Fuel Cell Reading, Fuel Cell Animation
Green Vehicles: Biodiesel
Photovoltaics
Wind Energy: Massachusetts
Wind Energy: California

Assignments:
Assignment 1: Day After Tomorrow
Assignment 2: Inconvenient Truth
Assignment 3: State of Fear
Assignment 4: Case Study Analysis

Lecture Notes:
Lecture 1

Lecture 7
Lecture 8

Lecture 16
Lecture 17

Lecture 18
Lecture 19
Lecture 20

Lecture 25
Lecture 26