This web site is from 2010. You are welcome to look around to get an idea of how the course was taught. However, the class in Winter 2012 will use a web site on Catalyst. There is not much on Catalyist yet and only registered students can access it.


You may wish to resell your clickers (TurningPoint ResponseCard RF) on UW Classified Ads

New College of the Environment Blog with information about majors, opportunities and jobs at UW regarding the environment.

View your grades (Homework, Quizzes, and most clicker results so far) through GradeBook
If you have think you have a missing homework grade in error, go to the moodle homework site and check there. It is more up to date. If you still think there is an error, email your TA.

If we have none of your clicks listed on GradeBook, FIRST check to see that you registered your name with your clicker ID by Mar 2 when we downloaded them. NEXT check to see if we have your clicker ID on any of the tables of results. It is a complicated process for us to merge the databases of clicker IDs with the GradeBook, so it will not update just because you register now. We will do it again after the last class. If you still think there is an error, email Tyler with your clicker ID and ask him to check.

Clickers grades on GradeBook were updated last Mar 3.

This course is being screen cast, which means you may watch the lectures a few hours after class. The lecture pdfs are also posted on the schedule a few hours after lecture.

Clicker IDs that we have registered so far

Clicker results listed for the first few weeks of lectures

Instructions to Register your Clicker or set up a cell phone to use as a clicker for this class

Instructor: Professor Cecilia Bitz
email: bitz@uw.edu
Phone: (206) 543-1339
Office:  ATG 502
Office hours: Mondays 1:30-2:30, or by appointment.


Class Meeting Times and Location in 2010
Lectures TTh 11:30-1:20 in Kane Hall 220

Discussion Sections                    
       10585 AG  QZ     Th     930-1020   EEB  105        Tyler                       
       10582 AD  QZ     Th     130-220    EEB  045         Tyler
       10584 AF  QZ     Th      130-220    JHN  102         Beth                      
       10581 AC  QZ     F       930-1020   EEB  026        Beth
       10579 AA  QZ     F      1030-1120  MGH  389       Beth                                          
       10580 AB  QZ     F      1030-1120  JHN  022        Tyler                      
       10583 AE  QZ     F      1230-120   BAG  154        Tyler                      
       10586 AH  QZ     F      1230-120   JHN  026        Beth                    

Course Description
Human-induced climate change - popularly known as "global warming" - is emerging as one of the great challenges facing society in the 21st century. If we ignore the problem, by the end of this century the climate changes due to increased greenhouse gases will be large enough to have significant consequences on the environment and on civilization. To avoid these changes will require either (i) a wholesale change in the sources of energy used by humans, (ii) yet to be developed methods to sequester carbon on an unprecedented scale, or (iii) intentional human modification of the earth’s energy budget to partially cancel the warming that will result from the increased greenhouse gases due to human activity (so-called geoengineering solutions to global warming). At stake are deeply felt values as well as entrenched economic interests. When these are combined with scientific uncertainty, it is not surprising that global warming has sparked a raging, often passionate debate.

Textbook:  The Rough Guide to Climate Change, 2nd ed., by Rob Henson, Rough Guides, 2008. This short non-technical book summarizes the current science.

Other Course Material: You will need a TurningPoint Clicker for this course. They are available at the bookstore. You may use an ipod or blackberry with special software if you prefer. Please be prepared to answer clicker questions every lecture.

Grading policy
    Comprehensive Final Exam 25%
    Quizzes 40%
    Homework 20%
    In-class activities 15%
Makeup quizzes and exam by prior arrangement only. Homework will be done on line, and no late homework can be allowed.

In-class Activities
There will be regular in-class activities, which will vary from answering clicker questions to class discussion and work in small groups. You will be asked to draw connections between the course material and current societal issues.

Strategies for Success
Read the textbook and keep up.

Attend lectures. The lectures indicate the topics the instructor believes are most challenging and important. Valuable example problems will be discussed in class and in discussion sections. Material will be given in lecture and discussion sections that is not in the textbook or readings and you will be expected to know it.

Hash out questions with your classmates outside of class. Go to office hours or email the TAs when you need help. Don't be afraid to ask questions in class.  Use anonymous email if you feel uncomfortable asking a question or wish to anonymously communicate some helpful feedback to the instructor.