 The Western Arctic from the CBL 2002 cruise Monday and Wednesday 11:00-12:20 OTB (Ocean Teaching Building) 205 |
THE CHANGING ARCTIC OCEAN - an interdisciplinary perspective A "Northstar" course for UW's new Arctic Studies Minor
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Last edited 1st June 2016
Recent years show
unprecedented change in the ice-covered Arctic
Ocean.
In this interdisciplinary course,
we will explore the interacting physical, chemical
and biological components of the Arctic System,
including:What is currently known about the complex Arctic Ice-Ocean system and the ecosystems it supports? What will be the impacts of continuing change within and beyond the Arctic? -- riddles of Arctic Ocean circulation -- defining roles of the sea-ice cover -- likely shifts in nutrient regimes and ecosystems -- and recent explorations of the seafloor, and consider the impacts of Arctic Change on global climate, native communities, and future exploitation of an ice-free summer ocean. The aims of the course are to develop: -- an understanding of how the Arctic ocean system works -- an understanding of observed and potential changes in the Arctic and impacts of these changes in the Arctic and beyond -- an appreciation of why we should care about Arctic Change. Skill development: To thrive in research (and other careers) needs skills beyond scientific data analysis, for example: -- discerning inquiry -- coherent communication (written and oral) -- competence in more than one discipline. Homework and class assignments will be aimed at developing these skills, and the art/science of productive scientific debate. Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, you should have: - qualitative and quantitative fact-based knowledge of the key aspects of the Arctic system, including how the components of the system interact, and the current challenges and possible future impacts of Arctic Change; - an ability to critically, qualitatively and quantitatively assess information from science sources (especially academic research papers), and to combine information from different disciplines; - skills in written and oral communication of this knowledge at a senior/graduate level, including bringing together ideas from various disciplines; and an enthusiasm for a realm that lies at the forefront of science and exploration in our world today. Prerequisites The class is targeted at 400-level Senior undergraduate majors and non-majors (Ocean 482), and 500-level Graduate majors and non-majors (Ocean 508). The best prepared students will have taken: a) Ocean 200 (Introduction to Oceanography) or Ocean 210 (Ocean Circulation); and b) Biol 180 (Introduction to Biology), Biol 200 or Biol 220. If you are interested in the course but do not have these prerequisites, email us, as we are happy to consider, on a case-by-case basis, students who are prepared to do whatever extra work is needed to understand the material. Graduate/Undergraduate course differences This course is offered simultaneously at the graduate and senior undergraduate level. Graduate students are expected to perform at a higher level than undergraduates. Throughout the lectures, we will distinguish between "core content" (the main concepts of the class) and "advanced content" (more detailed material, delving into complex interdisciplinary interactions of the system). Undergraduates are expected to master the "core content" of the class and be aware of the "advanced content". Graduate students are expected to master both the "core" and "advanced" material in the class. This distinction will also be reflected in readings for the class - undergraduates are expected to read and comprehend given key papers in the subject area (one per week), whereas graduate students are expected to read the key papers and additional supporting material, (typically two extra papers per week). Graduates and undergraduates will be set different assignments, with differing goals and expected levels of attainment and grading (as outlined in assignments below). Course Structure The course material is drawn from the cutting edge of current Arctic research. Thus there is no textbook for the variety of material we will cover. The main instruction medium will be: - two lectures a week, reinforced with: - readings from various UW-accessible sources, - instructor office hours, arranged by request. Assignments/grading Assignments are both written and oral. There will be no midterm or final exam. Full details of the assignments will be provided during the course. Grade: Course grade will be determined from - 2 written homeworks (each 30% of the grade) - 1 team-presented oral review of a published paper (20% of the grade) - class participation, especially in the weekly paper reviews (20% of the grade). Tasks and grading will take into account the level (undergraduate/graduate) of the student. Written Assignments: There will be two written assignments, to be submitted via Canvas. HW1 Canvas Submission link. HW2 Canvas Submission link. For graduates: The first written assignment, due end of week 5 (Friday 29th April 2016, 5pm), will be a five-page essay that includes some literature review (a reference list of at least six peer-reviewed journal articles) and some thoughtful analysis on an interdisciplinary question given in class. Students are encouraged to create an original graphic, flow diagram, calculation or table to help convey key points of the analysis. Students are further expected to develop a testable hypothesis from their synthesis of the literature read on the subject. The second written assignment, due end of week 10 (Friday 3rd June 2016, 5pm), will be to develop a short research proposal with an experimental plan, suitable for an interdisciplinary 2-year project in the Arctic Ocean. It should include references to at least six journal articles. Graduates are expected to develop testable hypotheses, with realistic logistics, as part of the research plan. For undergraduates: The first written assignment, due end of week 5 (Friday 29th April 2016, 5pm), will be a four-page essay that includes some literature review (a reference list of at least three peer-reviewed journal articles) and some thoughtful analysis on an interdisciplinary question given in class. Students are encouraged to create an original graphic, flow diagram, calculation or table to help convey key points of the analysis. Instructions for first written assignment are here. To submit your assignment, go here. The second written assignment, due end of week 10 (Friday 3rd June 2016, 5pm), will be a four-page essay that includes some literature review (a reference list of at least three peer-reviewed journal articles) and some thoughtful analysis on an interdisciplinary question given in class. Students are encouraged to create an original graphic, flow diagram, calculation or table to help convey key points of the analysis. Instructions for second written assignment are here. To submit your assignment, go here. Oral Assignments: Each Wednesday, there will be a ~ 30 min student-led discussion of a published paper. Papers will be selected a week in advance. Everyone should read the assigned paper before the class. The main points of the paper will be presented by a team of students in a ~ 15 min oral presentation, to be followed by a ~ 15 min class debate. Each student will help to lead one such presentation during the course, and all students will be involved in the weekly class debates, including submission of a question on the paper before the discussion via the class catalyst site. More details will be given in class. A summary of instruction is here. Papers will be given below. Undergraduates are expected to cover the material of the paper, and hypothesize on future directions or relevance for the work, drawing on material covered in class lectures. Graduates are expected to cover the material of the paper, and hypothesize on future directions or relevance for the work, drawing not only on material covered in class lectures, but also on material in the assigned graduate readings or journal papers of their own finding. Late homework is not accepted (except in exceptional circumstances, and by prearrangement with the instructors). Student athletes and students with other legitimate schedule conflicts need to contact the instructors at the beginning of the quarter to make arrangements for alternative due dates. Academic Honesty: A goal of university education is for you, yourself, to learn the material. We expect all students to maintain the highest standards of academic conduct. UW expectations are outlined at various UW sites, including here. While you may discuss homeworks with your classmates and colleagues, the two written homework assignments must be your own original work. |
Class meetings will be held Monday and Wednesday 11:00-12:20 in OTB 205. There will be no midterm or final exam. Office hours are available on request. Provisional Timetable This is provisional timetable and syllabus. Contact us if there are other topics you would like to see covered.
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Email Jody Deming or Rebecca Woodgate or BOTH |