Holy Cross Mathematics and Computer Science
MONT 105N -- Analyzing Environmental Data
Note:
I will make every attempt to keep the information on this page current.
Any changes after the start of the semester will also be announced in class.
Syllabus and Schedule
-
Course syllabus (.pdf)
- Detailed course schedule
- Natural World Cluster Common Events:
- Joyce Contemplative Center, (one of) February 2,3,4 (which seminars go which day TBD)
- Las Cafeteras, March 24, 7:00pm, location TBA
Information and Announcements
- First class meeting on Wednesday, January 22--please look at two articles below for that day
Examples, Class Notes, Etc.
- Why is it called the Montserrat program?
- The main mathematical textbook for the course:
- ``Modeling and Data Analysis: An Introduction with Environmental Applications''
is posted on the Moodle page for our course in .pdf format.
- Accounts of the human impact of the 12/19 and 1/20 Australian fires, for class on January 22
- Analysis of various attempts to show extent of the 12/19 and 1/20
Australian fires graphically, for class on January 22
Assignments
- As one of the continuing assignments for the class, you will maintain
a notebook or journal where you will record summaries and comments about news articles
you have read. These should connect in some way with the main themes of this course and
the Montserrat Natural World Cluster. I will be collecting these once or twice
during the semester and returning them with comments--first collection on Friday, March 15.
Some sources to consult for these:
- Environmental News Network (www.enn.com)
- National Geographic (www.nationalgeographic.com)
- BBC News (www.bbc.com/news/science_and_environment)
- Science (www.sciencemag.org) -- more technical, original research (access through HC library page)
- Nature (www.nature.com) -- more technical, original research (access through HC library page)
- New York Times (www.nytimes.com) -- requires a subscription (or search through HC library page)
- Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) -- requires a subscription (or search through HC library page) -- for a very conservative, pro-business slant on things
- Science Daily (www.sciencedaily.com/news/top/environment) -- but be aware that this site just republishes
press releases made by others; no independent content or editorial oversight.
Final Projects
- Information and timeline for final projects will be posted here when determined.
Related Links
- Note: The Greek phrase appearing next to the heading of this page is one traditional rendering of
the reported inscription over the entrance to Plato's Academy in Athens
(founded about 387 BCE). It means (roughly) Let no one ignorant of geometry enter.
This is a reflection of the important role of geometry in Plato's ideas about knowledge and education.
Downloading Information
The links for assignments and other handouts shown above with the notation
(.pdf file) lead to documents in PDF format. To read and print these, you
will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader (or some equivalent document reader
software) installed on your computer.
Last modified: February 10, 2020