Earth Environmental Science(2.0 credits) | |||
| Code | : | 10171 | |
| Course Type | : | Basic Specialized Courses | |
| Class Format | : | Lecture | |
| Course Name | : | Chemistry | |
| Starts 1 | : | 3 Spring Semester | |
| Elective/Compulsory | : | Elective | |
| Lecturer | : | Marc HUMBLET A. Designated Associate Professor | |
| •Course Purpose |
| Never before have had humans such a profound impact on the environment. The world population exceeds 7 billion and is growing steadily. Industrial and technological needs for energy and mineral resources are increasing every year. This course aims to review and discuss how humanity is changing the environment. More specifically, the course examines how human activities alter major biogeochemical cycles, and explores past climate change and the relationships between human activities and climate today. Students also learn about the nature and usefulness of geological resources and the environmental threats posed by their extraction and exploitation. The course not only aims to develop a scientific knowledge of important environmental issues, but also to promote the critical evaluation of information sources and the exchange of opinions in class.
By the end of the course, students should be able to understand and explain the subjects covered in class. Students will also be required to search information on topics of their choice and relevant to the course content, analyze the information they have found, and present and discuss their findings in class. |
| •Prerequisite Subjects |
| There is no prerequisite for this course. |
| •Course Topics |
| 1. Introduction
2. Environmental Earth Sciences: general concepts 3. Earth cycles 1: Nitrogen cycle 4. Earth cycles 2: Phosphorus cycle 5. Earth cycles 3: Water cycle 6. Earth cycles 4: Carbon cycle 7. Past, present, future climate change 8. Geological Resources: Energy, Rocks, and Minerals |
| •Textbook |
| There is no required textbook for this course. Please refer to the recommended reading list below for interesting books related to the course content. |
| •Additional Reading |
| Anderson, D.E., Goudie, A.S., and Parker, A.G., 2013. Global environments through the Quaternary: exploring environmental changes. Second edition, Oxford University Press, 406 pages.
Schlesinger, W.H. and Bernhardt, E.S., 2013. Biogeochemistry: an analysis of global change. Third edition, Elsevier, 672 pages. Ruddiman, W.F., 2013. Earth's climate: past and future. Third edition, Freeman, 464 pages. Craig, J.R., Vaughan, D.J., Skinner, B.J., 2011. Earth resources and the environment. Fourth edition, Pearson, 508 pages. |
| •Grade Assessment |
| Two quizzes aim to evaluate students' understanding of the course content. In addition, students should fulfill the following assignments: (1) two short presentations on current news related to environmental sciences, (2) an essay/review paper, and (3) an oral presentation
An “Absent (W)” grade is given to students who have officially withdrawn from the class by the end of May and to students who have withdrawn from the class for and exceptional reason (e.g., illness, accident). A “Fail” grade is given to students who withdraw from the class without meeting the aforementioned criteria and to student who have a final grade of 0-59%. |
| •Notes |
| Lectures will be given online via Zoom or in a hybrid format. NUCT will be used to upload teaching material. |
| •Contacting Faculty |
| Students can ask questions during the live online lectures, using the NUCT messaging functionality, or by contacting the teacher via his university e-mail address.
Phone: 789-3037 E-mail: humblet.marc@f.mbox.nagoya-u.ac.jp |