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November 10

Hi.

This week we are looking at the atmosphere – the layer of gases that surround the earth “in which we live and move and have our being.”

Without the atmosphere we would be unable to breathe and the earth’s surface would either freeze or bake (depending on whether or not it is facing the sun). The atmosphere prevents earth from being as dead as the moon. 

The atmosphere is delicately balanced, however. There are a variety of pollutants that can disrupt this finely tuned system. Depleting ozone layers and acid rain are two direct consequences of pollution.

This week we are looking at how changes in the atmosphere have ripple effects that influence our lives, All of us have heard terms like “the Greenhouse Effect,” “Global Warming,” and “Climate Change.” These are all related to changes in the composition of the atmosphere.

As the chemical composition changes, the temperature, and functional properties of the atmosphere change as well. You will find Chapter 4 very timely as these issues are on global political, economic, and environmental agendas.

** We are doing TWO chapters this week.  In an intensive course like this, we need to do that in order to get all the content in. Hang on. **

This week, please:

  1. Read online notes 3 and 4 and the text Chapters 3 and 4. The textbook is now only available online.  Here are instructions to access the text (this information is also in the syllabus and on Canvas).
  2. Lab 1 is due Wednesday, November 12 (Tuesday is a holiday in Canada).  This is a Quiz on Canvas.  You can take as much time as you like; it is open book; but you do have to do it all in one sitting.  Allow about 2 hours for it.
  3. Lab 2 is due Tuesday, November 18.  Note that if you have the etext version, for LAB 2 QUESTION 2 a-d, you will need to use this Figure from the 4th Edition:  Figure 3.2 with Percentages (follow the link on the “Labs” tab)
  4. Make a contribution to the online discussion forum on Canvas www.canvas.ubc.ca by Saturday midnight. This is a great way to get to know your classmates.  Please do NOT use AI, like ChatGPT.  I want to get to know you and hear your ideas.  Not a computer’s.  A non-personal response is worth “0.”
  5. Record your reading on Canvas by next Tuesday midnight.
  6. The midterm exam is Friday, November 28, 6-7:30 pm PT on Canvas. A study guide is here.

If you have any questions, get in touch with me right away.  Email works best … bmartin@corpuschristi.ca.

Bruce Martin, Ph.D

College Professor, Geography