Fall 2008 course listing

Science and Health

SS29 FALL BIRD MIGRATION

Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Dates: 5 sessions, September 24 - October 22
Instructors: Bill and Sally Fintel, Jeff Gordon, David Weber

As in past bird courses, we will spend at least half our time in the field observing and identifying as many birds as we can find. This is an optimum time of year to observe a great diversity of birds migrating south, either to Delaware to spend the winter, or through Delaware to Central and South America. In class we will focus on what you can do for migrants passing through Delaware, and also what you can do for those which over-winter here. On field trips this fall, we will visit some new areas besides Prime Hook and Cape Henlopen. Students should bring binoculars, a field guide, and appropriate clothing for up to 3 hours outdoors. Field trips will involve walking a mile or so. Class limited to 25 students.

NEW! SS50 EARTH'S CLIMATE: PAST AND FUTURE

Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Dates: 10 sessions, September 9 - November 18
Instructor: Gordon F. Blizard, Jr.

The intent of this course is to provide a broad overview of the many interactive facets and disciplines of the Earth's climate history in order to better understand current and future climate conditions. Starting from an elementary level, we will move logically to developed explanations of the various climatic factors, primarily through liberal use of easy to follow graphics. Further selected readings are suggested with class participation encouraged. Class limited to 50 students.

NEW! SS51 MISS LEAVITT'S STARS: THE STORY OF THE WOMAN WHO DISCOVERED HOW TO MEASURE THE COSMOS

Tuesdays, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Dates: 5 sessions, October 14 - November 18
Instructor: Douglas L. Hemmick

In the early 1920s, Henrietta Swan Leavitt discovered a new class of stars which provided the key to the all-important question of the distance scale of the cosmos. Unfortunately, while she has long haunted the footnotes and sidebars of astronomy's history books, little attention has been paid to her own life. We will attempt to chronicle her life and times, and explore the meaning and importance of her discovery. A book, Miss Leavitt's Stars: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe, (paperback) by George Johnson, W. W. Norton, 2006. ISBN - 10: 0393328562, $13.95, is available on the Internet. Class limited to 20 students.

NEW! SS52 A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PLANET EARTH

Mondays, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Dates: 5 sessions, September 8 - October 6
Instructor: Ed Soboczenski

This course explores the questions: When and how did the Earth and the universe arise? When and how did life arise and evolve to its present condition? What caused the mass extinctions of the past? How can global warming/global cooling be controlled to suit our best interests? Astronomy, paleontology, evolution, mass extinctions, and plate tectonics will be discussed. Class limited to 30 students.

NEW! SS53 EARTH'S CHANGING CLIMATE

Mondays, 10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dates: 4 sessions, October 20 - November 17
No class November 3
Instructor: Carole Bradt

A review of up-to-date research on climate change. An overwhelming number of climate scientists conclude that Earth is warming and that we humans are in great part responsible. You will learn the difference between climate and weather; greenhouse effect; and the carbon cycle. All this through lectures on DVDs. Class limited to 50 students.

NEW! SS54 METEOROLOGY - THE STUDY OF WEATHER

Thursdays, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Dates: 10 sessions, September 11 - November 13
Instructor: Jon C. Woodyard

This is a course for non-scientists who wish to study how weather is produced and what methods are used to evaluate and predict future weather. Also included will be a review of some of the forces in nature that affect weather, both global and local. Finally, the course will examine the world's historical weather and its relationship with global energy usage. From all of this study, the student will be better able to judge the causes, effects and consequences of current trends in global weather. Although a text is not required for the course, it is suggested the student have access to a good reference book on weather and climatology. Inexpensive books include Weather for Dummies by John Cox and Meterology Today, by C. Donald Ahrens. Class limited to 50 students.