COURSE MATERIALS:

Papers to read and reports to write will be assigned during the semester. These will cover  physically-based ocean circulation models, both idealized and realistic,  configured according to modern and ancient conditions, including bathymetry and forcing.

General Reference:

• Broecker, W. The Glacial World According to Wally. Private printing.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
 
 This course is about the history of ocean circulation suggested by the paleoclimate record. The record is complicated and involves many different data and proxy temperatures. We will survey the literature, focussed on circulation and attempt to synthesize the subject - no reviews exist with the required breadth. Students will define themes of interest. Findings will be written up in a final report.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

In this course, you will gain an appreciation for current climate research topics of global and local interest. 

GRADING/EVALUATION:

Grading will be based on participation in each of the parts of the class:

1) Literature search: a writtin reference list and summary of key papers.

2) Theme definition: a written proposal.

3) In-class presentations.

4) Final report. No final exam.

ASSIGNMENTS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reading assignments will be given 1 week in advance for each topic.

COURSE CONTENT AND OUTLINE:

Week 1 (08/27): Organizational meeting.

Week 2 (09/03): No class.

Week 3 (09/10): No class.

Week 4 (09/17): Geographic/Tectonic effects - continental drift (Bice, Poulsen et al.).

Week 5 (09/24): Geographic effects - Drake Passage (Toggweiler et al.).

Week 6 (10/01): Theme definitions due. Tides.

Week 7 (10/08): Models for glacial cycles (Gildor and Tziperman sea-ice switch).

Week 8 (10/15): Models continued (Data confronts theory: LeGrand et al).

Week 9 (10/22): Theme 1. 

Week 10 (10/29):  Theme 1.

Week 11 (11/05): No class.

Week 12 (11/12): Theme 2.

Week 13 (11/19): Theme 2.

Week 14 (11/26): Theme 3.

Week 15 (12/03): Theme 3 and final reports.

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE:

Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in The Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. The Academic Honor System of The Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the university community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the university community.

Please see the following web site for a complete explanation of the Academic Honor Code. http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook/codes/honor.html

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:

Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability  Resource Center; (2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the first week of class.

For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities,
contact the Student Disability Resource Center

Dean of Students Department
08 Kellum Hall
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4400
(850) 644-9566 (voice)
(850) 644-8504 (TDD)
SDRC@admin.fsu.edu
http://www.fsu.edu/~staffair/dean/StudentDisability

SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY:

This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advanced notice.

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