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by CKennicutt last modified 2008-04-24 15:17

Texas A&M University faculty and researchers have engaged in a range of education activities related to polar science including: development course work, support of graduate student research, and involvment of students in field work.

Of particular note is the develoment of a directed studies course for undergraduate and graduate students capitalizing on the Intenrational Polar Year 2007-2208

ipy logoGE0SCIENCE 489/689 - International Polar Year 2007-2008 Directed Study Course

Instructors:

  • Mahlon C. Kennicutt II, m-kennicutt@tamu.edu , Office 979-458-0115, Rm. 318C Admin Bldg. MS 1112
    • Office hours by appointment

 

 

EXAMPLES OF GUEST LECTURERS AND TOPICS THAT MAY BE COVERED IN THE COURSE

Name Expertise Department/Unit Email
Rainer Amon Biogeochemcical fluxes in the Arctic Ocean, land-ocean transport of carbon and nitrogen, chemistry of dissolved organic matter, bacteria and carbon cycling TAMU Galveston  amonr@tamug.edu
David Brooks Dynamics of shelf, marginal, and coastal seas; western boundary curretn fluctuations; observational and modeling studies in shelf and coastal ecosystems Oceanography dbrooks@ocean.tamu.edu 
David  Cairns Biogeography, landscape, ecology, ecosystem modeling, GIS applications Geography  cairns@tamu.edu
John  Hopper  Arctic geology  Geology & Geophysics  hopper@geo.tamu.edu
Andrew Klein Remote sensing, GIS, glacial geomorphology, cryosphere, hydrology   Geography  klein@geog.tamu.edu
Alejandro Orsi Oceanic thermohaline circulation, currents and water mass structure of the Southern Ocean, the role of the Southern Ocean in climate change,  Oceanography  aorsi@tamu.edu 
Gil Rowe Benthos and biogeochemical processes   TAMU Galveston  roweg@tamug.edu
Gunnar Schade Atmospheric trace gases and biogeochemical cycles, biosphere-atmosphere interactions, analytical chemistry for the atmospheric aciences  Atmospheric Sciences  schade@ariel.met.tamu.edu
Jose Sericano Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), fate and effects of organochlorine contaminants Geochemical and Environmental Research Group jose@gerg.tamu.edu
Terry  Wade Environmental contaminants, fate and effects of chemical contaminants, analytical methods for environmental matrices Geochemical and Environmental Research Group terry@gerg.tamu.edu
 Sarah Brooks Atmospheric aerosols, Ice cloud nucleation, chemical and physical processes of aerosols. Atmospheric Sciences  sbrooks@ariel.met.tamu.edu

 

Course Description:

the polesThis course capitalizes on the celebration of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 that will begin in March 1, 2007 and continue for two years to educate undergraduate and graduate students about current “cutting-edge” polar science and research. The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 is an unprecedented world-wide focus on science, research, technology and issues in the polar regions of our planet. The IPY 2007-2008 is envisioned as an intense, internationally coordinated campaign of research that will initiate the dawn of a new era in polar science. IPY 2007-2008 will include research in both polar regions and involve strong links to the rest of the globe. It will be multi- and interdisciplinary in scope and truly international in participation. It will educate and excite the public, and help train the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders. The IPY will include elements from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including issues related to human populations. The role and importance of the polar regions in earth systems and their interactions with human systems will be emphasized.  This course includes a broad overview of the relevant disciplines and topics that define modern polar science with perspectives from the north and the south. The course will be primarily lecture in style with opportunities to participate in actual IPY activities for course credit such as K-12 teaching and informal education activities. The course will include invited lectures by renowned polar scientists. Extensive web based activities and resources will be available during the IPY and will be used to enhance the in-class experience.This is an  unique opportunity for learning and exploration with a group of expert Texas A&M University faculty and researchers that have come together to offer a 3 credit-hour one semester course designated GEOS 489/689. 

Note: GEOS 489, Section 200 Honors Credit - Honors student written assignments will be expected to be more comprehensive and in-depth than non-honors undergraduate reports. H onor student reports will be graded more stringent on content, clarity, scope, and accuracy. Honor students will be matched with Graduate students to assist in organizing and supervising the team project. Honors students are expected to actively participate in the in-class presentation. Honors student team project grading will take into account the quality of the organization and participation in the team project.

Note: GEOS 689 Credit - Graduate student written assignments will be expected to be more comprehensive and in-depth than undergraduate reports. Grading will be more stringent on content, clarity, scope, and accuracy for graduate student reports. Graduate students will be expected to lead the team projects organizing and supervising the undergraduate participants. Graduate student team project grading will take into account the organization and participation of the team.

Meeting Time and Location: Tuesday and Thursday - 12:45-2:00 PM

Class web site - Updates to the syllabus as well as other course materials will be made available on this course website. 

Textbooks and Readings

  • Lecture Text - There is no lecture text associated with this course. There are extensive reading lists associated with each topic as summarized in the Course Schedule.

Class Attendance - The university views class attendance as the responsibility of the individual student.

Cellular Telephones - As a courtesy to the instructor and other students please turn off all cellular telephones and two-way pagers before the class begins. It extremely impolite interrupt the class with a cellular telephone call.

Email - All Texas A&M students should use their neo email accounts when emailing the instructor and teaching assistants. Class announcements may be distributed via the neo email system. It is your responsibility to regularly check your neo email account.

Grading

Scholastic Dishonesty

Student Support

 

International Polar Year 2007-2008 Links

 

Background Documents on the IPY 2007-2008

 

Recent Articles of Interest

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