Advanced Topics (450-0-02)
Topic
Lake Michigan and Climate Change
Instructors
Yarrow Larue Axford
Technological Institute F394/F395
Office Hours: axford@northwestern.edu
Meeting Info
Technological Institute F391: Fri 1:00PM - 3:50PM
Overview of class
The overarching goal of this seminar is for participants to develop an evidence-based understanding of diverse ways in which anthropogenic climate change will affect natural systems within and around Lake Michigan. Students will also consider how those shifting natural systems will impact people in Chicagoland and beyond.
Registration Requirements
Open to graduate students in all fields (or by instructor permission). Background in Earth science, environmental science, ecology, aquatic sciences, climate science or physical geography is recommended.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
1) hone skills at reading and analyzing the primary scientific literature;
2) learn key principles of physical, chemical and biological limnology as they pertain to Lake Michigan;
3) gain familiarity with projected physical and societal impacts of climate change in the Midwest U.S. and Chicagoland;
4) understand key aspects of Lake Michigan's human history and long-term (late Quaternary) paleoenvironmental history; and
5) practice distilling and summarizing primary research and government scientific reports, for a range of audiences.
Teaching Method
Discussion, short lectures
Evaluation Method
Grades will be based mainly upon class participation, leadership of class discussions, periodic writing assignments, and a final research project.
Class Materials (Required)
Students should acquire one paperback book: The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. By Dan Egan, 2017, W.W. Norton & Company. (A copy will be held on reserve in the EPS Department for student use.)
Other course readings will be posted to Canvas.
Class Attributes
SDG Climate Action
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Graduate Students.