GEOS 615 Overview
Labs
Project assignment
Syllabus & Notes

 

GEOS 615, Sea-ice geophysics (3 CR), Fall 2006

 

Time & place: M 9-10.30am NS 235 (Natural Sciences Building), W 9-10.30am NS 235 (tentative schedule and location, potentially subject to change!)
FIRST CLASS: W Sep 6, 9-10.30am (at this meeting we will decide on the class hours and location for the rest of the semester, please get in touch with instructor if unable to attend)
Instructor: Hajo Eicken, Geophysical Institute, UAF
e-mail: hajo.eicken@gi.alaska.edu
Phone: 474-7280
Office: West Ridge Research Building (WRRB) 104E (office hours: ad-hoc/by appointment)

Grading scheme:
Final exam: 30 %
Mid-term exam: 15 %
Lab exercises: 25% (two exercises on sea-ice albedo and ice growth and remote sensing, requiring a lab report, each weighted equally)
Project assignment: 30 % (includes presentation and written report of <5 pages length)

In regards to the class project, the official start of the International Polar Year 2007-2009 (www.ipy.org) is only just over half a year away. To get ready for this exciting opportunity, the class projects should in some form address the history of sea ice through time from the first IPY (1882/83) through to today, a day and age where arguably, northern hemisphere sea ice extent is at the lowest it has been observed in the historical record. While students are encouraged to pursue their own project ideas, a number of interesting potential project topics (and advice from experts in historical environmental observations) will be supplied.

Required reading: To be assigned (incl. lecture notes and selected papers); course does not have required text; however, students are encouraged to consult primary references listed below (on hold for duration of semester at Keith Mather Library-GI/IARC, some also available from instructor).

  • Carsey, F. D., ed. (1992) Microwave remote sensing of sea ice, Geophysical Monograph 68, American Geophysical Union, Washington - the prime reference for microwave remote sensing and the physical basis of microwave data over sea ice
  • Doronin Yu. P., and D. E. Kheisin (1977) Sea ice, Amerind Publ. Co., New Delhi - a comprehensive work, offering something of a Russian perspective
  • Johannessen O. M., R. D. Muench, and J. E. Overland, eds. (1994) Polar oceans and their role in shaping the global environment, American Geophysical Union (AGU Geophysical Monograph 85), Washington - nice overview of recent and ongoing work in both hemispheres
  • Leppaeranta, M. (ed., 1998) Physics of ice-covered seas, 2 vols. Helsinki University Press, Helsinki.
  • Leppaeranta, M. (2005) The drift of sea ice. Springer, Berlin.
  • Lubin, D. & R. Massom (2006) Polar remote sensing, vol. 1, atmosphere and oceans. Springer, Berlin.
  • Thomas, D. & G. S. Dieckmann (2003) Sea ice - An introduction to its physics, biology, chemistry and geology. London: Blackwell Science - very good introductory volume, broad in interdisciplinary scope
  • Untersteiner, N., ed. (1986) The geophysics of sea ice, Martinus Nijhoff Publ., Dordrecht (NATO ASI B146) - some great chapters, some not so good, some outdated, but still quite relevant
  • Wadhams, P. (2000) Ice in the ocean, Gordon & Breach, London.
  • Zubov N. N. (1945) Arctic ice, Izd. Glavsevmorputi, Moscow (translated by U.S. Navy Oceanogr. Office Springfield, 1963) - an almost timeless classic
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    Special needs. Students with learning or other disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to visit the Disabilities website at http://www.uaf.edu/chc/disability.html and make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services (474-7043). Please meet with the instructor so that the appropriate accommodations and supports to assist in meeting the goals of the course can be made in collaboration with the Office of Disability Services.

    UAF Honor Code. As a UAF student, you are subject to the student Code of Conduct. The university assumes that the integrity of each student and of the student body as a whole will be upheld. It is your responsibility to help maintain the integrity of the student community. For additional information, contact the Dean of Student Services or web http://www.alaska.edu/bor/regulation/9r/r09-02.html/ or refer to the student handbook printed in the back of the class schedule for each semester.

    Last update: August 20, 2006

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