Class Overview:

The Arctic region plays a key role in regulating global climate. The Arctic is in the midst of rapid change, change which will have impacts on physical, biological and human systems both within and beyond the region. This comprehensive assessment of the Arctic climate system begins with an overview of the Arctic's basic physical characteristics and climatic features. Attention then turns to the atmospheric energy budget, the atmospheric circulation, the surface energy budget, the hydrologic cycle, and the fascinating interactions between the atmosphere, Arctic Ocean and its sea ice cover. A review of Arctic climate history over the past two million years provides the context for an evaluation of recent climate variability and trends, and the future state of the Arctic. The final segment of the course explores the impacts of a rapidly changing Arctic on society, including issues such as increased access to oil, gas and mineral wealth at the bottom of the ocean, increased commercial shipping and the potential for growing conflict between different stakeholders. The course will use the instructor's textbook "The Arctic Climate System" (available in paperback), and additional readings and material. It is assumed that the student will have already taken a basic course in climate science or meteorology. The course will integrate well with existing physical geography curricula at CU, such as Snow Hydrology (GEOG4321/5321) and Remote Sensing of the Environment (GEOG 4093/5093) and Quantitative Methods (GEOG4023/5023).

Required Readings
Serreze, M.C. and R.G. Barry (2005), "The Arctic Climate System", Cambridge University Press, 385 pp., available in paperback (PB ISBN 0521116007).
Articles from "Journal of Geophysical Research", "Geophysical Research Letters" and other journals on key topics.

Additional Requirements of Graduate Students
Examinations for graduate students will have more difficult questions commensurate their expected higher level of achievement. Graduate students will also be required to write a term paper (approximately 15 pages of text, 10% of grade) on a relevant topic of their choice and present their paper to the class.

University of Colorado-Boulder Policies
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

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.  See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the responsibility to treat all students with dignity and respect, and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which opinions are expressed.  Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. See http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html

The University of Colorado policies on Discrimination and Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, 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 at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at  http://www.colorado.edu/odh

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy.  Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, and bribery.  All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273).  Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to probation, suspension, or expulsion).  Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.htm