Managing for a Changing Climate

GEO 3334 – Managing for a Changing Climate (Hybrid course, emphasizes teamwork and active learning)

Spring 2024 is next offering – Hybrid format.

 

New – Undergrad form of the Course has been approved for a GenEd in Physical Sciences and International.

This course has no textbook. Material consists of videos, discussions and other linked resources. You will be responsible for taking your own notes from the material provided.

This course is a certified affordable course!

Why take this course?

MFCC isn’t your standard course. Developed at the University of Oklahoma, South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, the class takes lessons learned from the front lines of climate services, and weaves it into a comprehensive survey of climate science, from the physical science, through to impacts and adaptation. Throughout, we consider how climate information is or can be used by decision-makers. We consider pitfalls when using climate information, as well as opportunities. We take an international perspective, and dive deeply into international climate change policy through our semester-long project. This course is now taught in various forms at three institutions, all of which are consortium members to Climate Adaptation Science Centers around the country.

The online lecture portion of the class covers the main theory, and the videos feature experts from around the nation. Activities promote active learning, through discussion, roleplaying, and even game-playing. Many of these activities have been developed for stakeholders, and so we place ourselves in their shoes.

The course is interdisciplinary, because the problem of climate change is interdisciplinary, and the solutions to climate change most certainly will be inter and multi-disciplinary. Therefore, ANYONE who is interested in climate change should consider this course, regardless of whether you are majoring in a science field. Most of our assessments are based on oral and written communication, and the ability to understand and weave concepts together into compelling narrative.

Student profile: 

  • Please contact me if you would like to participate in this class and have questions. This course generally does not assume substantial prior knowledge in the subject area. The course is designed for upper division students (sophomore standing or higher), however I will admit younger students who can evidence that they possess good critical thinking, and above average written communication.
  • Good oral and written communication, or the desire to improve those skills. Willingness to work with others
  • An interest in climate science, and impacts of climate change on a broad range of people groups, sectors, and natural resources
  • Ability to critically evaluate and synthesize material, or a desire to improve those skills

Course Topics Include:

  1. Overview of Earth’s climate system
  2. Natural Climate Variability
  3. Modeling of Global and Regional Climate
  4. Using climate observations and projections
  5. Social and Economic impacts
  6. Impacts to coasts
  7. Impacts to ecosystems
  8. Impacts to human health
  9. Adaptation

Assignments:

  • Writing – 3 papers
  • Short answer homework and reflections
  • Online quizzes
  • weekly activities & discussions
  • Semester project and final project

There is NO EXAM! 

Course Syllabus (tentative – subject to change up until start of class)

Undergraduate Syllabus (downloads to your computer)

Graduate student syllabus (downloads to your computer)

Note that this course is eligible toward the Undergraduate Meteorology and Climatology Certificate offered by the Department of Geography,