Course Description
Introduces the interdisciplinary science studying
the interactions between atmospheric processes and living organisms
(plants,
animals, and humans). How organisms adapt to a changing environment
will
be discussed. A practical, problem-solving approach will be used to
explore
these interactions.
Course Topics
An outline of the topics to be covered can be found here.
Prerequisites
Geography 1001, Climate and Vegetation
Meetings
12:30 pm – 1:45 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, GUGG 205
Required Text
Campbell, G.S. & Norman, J.M. 1998: An
Introduction to Environmental Biophysics. Springer, New York, 286
pp.
| Exam #1 | October 1, 2009 during regular class time | 25% |
| Exam #2 | November 5, 2009 during regular class time | 25% |
| Exam #3 | December 10, 2009 during regular class time | 25% |
| Assignments (6, equally weighted) | Dates | 25% |
The exams will consist of short and/or essay-type answers, most requiring calculations. I usually ask you to answer 3/4 or 4/5 questions. All equations and constants will be provided.
No makeup exams are given. Students who miss an exam without a documented and acceptable excuse (e.g. medical note) will receive a score of zero for the missed exam. Students with a valid, documented excuse for missing an exam will receive a final course grade calculated excluding the missed exam. If you know of a valid conflict with any of the exams (e.g. three exams on the same day), please contact Dr. Blanken in advance and arrange to take the exam early. Please check the exam dates before you make travel arrangements.
Assignments
There will be six take-home assignments. They can be found at the class
web site, along with any data you may require. The purpose of these
assignments
is to reinforce and further examine in a practical sense key concepts
presented
in lectures. As climatology, as most sciences, deals with large volumes
of data, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of computers.
You
are encouraged to work with others, but you must hand in your own work.
A grade of zero will be given to all parties found copying, followed by
disciplinary action, including notification of the incident to the
Honor Code Office (see note below). It is expected that assignments be
submitted in a
professional, clean and neat style. Written answers must be in complete
sentences and must be double-spaced and typed. Point form is
unacceptable.
Late assignments will loose 10% per day, and absolutely no
assignments
will be accepted after graded ones have been returned.
Statement on Disabilities
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please
submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so
that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines
accommodations based on
documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and
http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html
Religious Obligations: Conflicts
with
Scheduled Exams, Assignments or Class Attendance
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that
faculty make every
effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of
religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments
or
required attendance. If the conflict is
legitimate, I will provide the opportunity for alternative time to
write the exam or submit an assignment. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Student Classroom and Course-Related
Behavior
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an
appropriate
learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral
standards may
be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are
especially
important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with
differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation,
gender, gender variance,
and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor
with the
student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you
by an
alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference
early in
the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.
See polices
at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and
Harassment,
the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the
University of
Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff
and
faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he
has been the
subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color,
national
origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran
status
should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at
303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.
Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the
campus resources
available
to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be
obtained at
http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Academic Honesty: Honor Code
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible
for
knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this
institution.
Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of
academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening
behavior. All
suspected incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the
Honor Code Council
(honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Assignments may be submitted to
"Turn-it-in.com" to check for occurrences of plagiarism. Students who
are found to be in
violation
of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic
sanctions
from the faculty member (final course grade of an "F") and non-academic
sanctions (including but not limited
to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information
on the
Honor Code can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html
and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
