Departmemnt of Environmental,  Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences 365 Riverside Street Lowell, MA 01827

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The focus of the course is the development of problem-solving skills.  Applications will be made to a wide range of environmental problems that resemble real-world situations.  The emphasis on the course, however, will be on the thought process necessary to solve complex problems.  Analysis of the problems will consider "hand-waving" to exact solutions, how and where to find the necessary governing equations and input, how and when to make approximations, and how to ensure that your answer is reasonable and, hopefully, correct.

COURSE GOALS:

• Develop critical thinking skills
• Learn to ask questions
• Develop a feel for the “numerical size” of an answer.
• Develop the ability to critically assess problems.
• Learn to read problems effectively.
• Develop the ability to interpret, evaluate, and make informed judgements about the adequacy of arguments, data, and conclusions.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION:

Attendance is required.  Homework will be given each week.  Discussion with colleagues over homework is encouraged, but copying will not be accepted.  There will be unannounced quizzes in the course.  To be successful, you should expect to spend ~3-5 hours/week on out of class work.  No make-up exams will be given and no late assignments will be accepted.

TEXTS:

John Harte, Consider a Spherical Cow, University Science Books, 1988.

List of Tenative topics

GRADING POLICY:

The grading policy is as follows:

  Hour Exam 1      25%
  Hour Exam         25%
  Hour Exam 3      25%
  Quizzes              10%
  Homework        15%

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:

Prof. Robert Gamache
Olney 302a

Robert_Gamache@uml.edu

Office: 934-3904

Office Hours:  T , R 2:00-4:00, by appointment, or any time I am in my office.
You are encouraged to see me when you need assistance.

Copyright ©1998 Beverly J. Volicer and Steven F. Tello, UMass Lowell.  You may freely edit these pages for use in a non-profit, educational setting.  Please include this copyright notice on all pages.