I haven't taken the courses so I can't offer any reviews, but here is some information on each:
Environment Science 2C03: (
http://www.science.mcmaster. ca/geo...c03/index.html)
Introduction:
An introduction to near-surface climate processes, their feedback and climate change. Topics covered include:
1. Surface Radiation, Energy and Water Budgets
2. Surface Climate Processes
- Active Surface and Subsurface
- Momentum and the Wind Profile
- Sensible and Latent Heat Flux
- Spatial Variability and Fetch Relations
- Energy and Mass Balance of Ecosystems
3. Natural Surface Climates
- Snow and Ice
- Lakes and Oceans
- Arctic Ecosystems
- Forest Ecosystems
4. Surface Processes, Feedback, and Climate Change
Evaluation:
Lab assignments 20% (4 @ 5% each)
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam 60%
Environment Science 2B03: (
http://www.science.mcmaster. ca/geo...b03/index.html)
Introduction:
An introduction to the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils within the context of environmental systems.
Labs: The laboratory section of the course will include hands-on measurement of soil properties along with additional associated assignment questions. Each lab/assignment will span two weeks (two lab sessions) with a total of five (5) lab reports required to be handed-in. You will require a calculator, graph papers, and Internet access to complete the lab/ assignments.
Evaluation:
Lab/Assignments (5) 25%
Midterm 35%
Final Exam 40%
Environment Science 2W03: (
http://www.science.mcmaster. ca/geo...w03/index.html)
Introduction:
‘Hydrology is the science which deals with terrestrial waters, their occurrence, circulation, and distribution on our planet, their physical and chemical properties, and their interactions with the physical and biological environment, including the effect on them of human activities’
Overview: This course will focus on the major hydrological processes that occur above the ground surface, using examples mainly from the temperate latitudes. Emphases will be placed upon:
- understanding the principles of hydrology
- quantification of the hydrological processes
- prediction of hydrological events
The course will evolve around the water balance concept and will be partitioned into the following topics:
- the hydrological cycle and the water balance - infiltration and slope runoff
- spatial and temporal variations in precipitation - streamflow measurement and analysis
- snow cover and snowmelt - unit hydrograph and flow routing
- evaporation - statistical hydrology
Note: Lecture notes will
NOT be made available. It is your responsibility to attend class, or to obtain missed material from classmates. Key figures and equations will be posted on WebCT.
Assignments:
There will be two short (< 2 pages) written assignments required for the course. The objectives of these tasks are to introduce you to the hydrological literature in the format of journal articles, and to increase your comprehension and written communication skills. Details will be provided in class and on WebCT.
Labs: You should be registered in one of the above lab sections. There will be six required and one recommended computation-based labs throughout the course. The goals of these labs are to introduce you to quantitative hydrology and enhance your data computation and analysis skills.
Evaluation:
Assignments: 10 % (2 at 5 % each)
Labs: 30 % (6 at 5 % each)
Term tests: 20 % (2 at 10 % each)
Final Exam: 40 %
