This class examines tools, data, and ideas related to past climate changes as seen in marine, ice core, and continental records. The most recent climate changes (mainly the past 500,000 years, ranging up to about 2 million years ago) will be emphasized. Quantitative tools for the examination of paleoceanographic data will be introduced (statistics, factor analysis, time series analysis, simple climatology).
Assignments
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2-3 problem sets throughout the term.
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Lecture 10: A 3-5 page term paper "proposal" due. The goal of the paper is to discuss and perhaps even answer a paleoceanographic question.
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Lecture 14: First draft of the paper. This deadline is firm; the papers will be to be given to one of your classmates (selected at random) for a written review.
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Lecture 16: A review of someone else's draft paper. This deadline is firm; the review is used by the author for final revisions. At this point, I will assign a grade to the student who does the review but not to the writer of the draft paper.
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Lecture 19: A final term paper (10-15 pages) due.
Grading
Grades will be based on these assignments, roughly weighted for the amount of time devoted to each task:
| Problem Sets |
30% |
| First Draft of Paper turned in on due date (Using grade assigned to Final Paper) |
10% |
| Review |
15% |
| Term Paper |
45% |
|
Reading
Reading lists will be provided. The reading will be divided into two categories:
- "Discussion Papers," you should read carefully and try to understand thoroughly and be prepared to discuss in class, and
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"Reference Papers," which present background information you should scan so that you know some of the literature.