1.  Read the textbook assignments, list questions you have about the reading, and ask them during class time.

1a.  NOTE:  GO TO THE FOLLOWING TO SEE THE VIEWGRAPH ON EVOLUTION OF EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE.   THERE IS ALSO A LISTING OF COMPOSITION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF OBJECTS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, SUCH AS THE SUN, JUPITER, AND ROCKY PLANETS.

1b.  For an interesting discussion of the contribution of methane gas to global warming, go to the following couple of websites:  (both short & easy)
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020212.html
http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/20011212methane.html
Be sure to click on the pictures at the second site to see the sources of methane gas under normal circumstances, and note the connection of sudden releases with  tectonic plate motions.  For a look at how the Sun's irradiance (luminosity) has varied over the past few solar cycles, see the following (and note the number scale on the vertical axis):
http://www.pmodwrc.ch/pmod.php?topic=tsi/composite/SolarConstant
Over the past 30 years, the Sun's irradiance has varied +- 1 part in 1367, or +- 0.07%:  this is not responsible for the global climate change observed during the last century.

1c.  The best layman's explanation I've seen for the appearance of the ozone hole over the Antarctic is at the following University of Cambridge website:  http://www.atm.ch.cam.ac.uk/tour/

1d.  See the following links for the mounting circumstantial evidence for the causes of the "great dying" 250 million years ago, when most ocean- and land-based species disappeared.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/28jan_extinction.htm
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/17/1095394005432.html?oneclick=true
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/great_dying_040513.html

1e.  http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/atlas/index.html
Extremely comprehensive, well-organized site about all aspects of Mars exploration.   Good links to other sites also. 

1f.  For Mars aficionados, here's an article from the NY Times about getting to Mars.   Before you sign up for a trip to Mars, you might want to look into this research, which is investigating the effects of cosmic radiation on brain neurons and living tissue in general.  The dose to Skylab 4 astronauts mentioned in the article is higher than the allowed annual dose for nuclear plant workers.  Also, the mean lethal dose (one-time exposure) is about 600 rem - 50% of people with that one-time dose will die, rapidly and extremely miserably.

1g.  Magnetism: 
* For a good introduction to the concept of magnetic fields, go to the following website - it contains good sketches as well as clear descriptions.
http://solar.physics.montana.edu/YPOP/Spotlight/Magnetic/
* For a good discussion of the location, motion, and reversal of Earth's magnetic field, which I go over in class, see
http://www.geolab.nrcan.gc.ca/geomag/home_e.shtml

1h.  Here are a couple of links to articles on the reported claim that finding DNA in dinosaur bones proves that the dinosaur remains could not be at least 65 million years old, as claimed by scientists using age-dating methods.  The second of the two references carefully examines the peer-reviewed articles of the reputed discoverer and compares those findings with the interpretation of a well-known creationist.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dinosaur.html?c=y&page=1
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dinosaur/blood.html

1i.  http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN07/wn113007.html
This November 30, 2007 posting at physicist Bob Park's website briefly explores some news and Bob's comments on the connection between science and religion - an age-old pseudo-debate that seems destined to last as long as humans.  Yours truly has near-zero interest in the topic, but some students of astronomy exhibit high energy on the subject.  A much more extensive exploration, set in the context of a Supreme Court case in the 1980's, is at the following URL:
http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/creationism/

1j.  Since I began researching world oil supply in early 2004, I've become a regional reporter on the subject of Peak Oil, which will someday take the prize for the most under-reported, unavoidable threat ever faced by humans at the global level.  Here are 3 links that provide a sampling of relevant entries to thinking about the subject and how humans might react to changes you will see in this century:
*   http://www.peakoil.net/
This links you to a group led by an expert retired oil geologist (Colin Campbell) - one whose predictions are in line with those of over a dozen other retired, out-spoken oil geologist experts.   Almost all these guys worked for major oil companies.  Lots of links to other articles, people, etc.  And just in case you doubt that U.S. oil policy is synonymous with foreign policy, do a little google research on the "Carter Doctrine" formulated in 1979, and think back over the past 25 years of U.S. military engagements and attempts at regime change in oil-producing countries.

*   http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0512-13.htm
From Kurt Vonnegut, during his 81st year, reflecting on our world and ending in his usual fashion with an unexpected, stark conclusion.  I guess he's read an excellent summary book on the subject of peak oil - a book by Richard Heinberg called "The Party's Over:  Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Societies."     Heinberg does the best job I've seen of thinking about the consequences of running shorter on oil as time moves on.  This could turn out to be one of the most important books of the 21st century.  Paul Roberts wrote a similar book (and it's also very good) called "The End of Oil."   Roberts is a reporter and writes a little more smoothly than Heinberg - he's also interviewed a large cross-section of people.  Roberts' latest book has the even more worrisome title "The End of Food."  Reading one of these books would be doing yourself a huge favor.  More recently, Heinberg authored an essay with what I am 100% sure is the most important question of the 21st century:  "What Will We Eat as the Oil Runs Out?"
http://globalpublicmedia.com/richard_heinbergs_museletter_what_will_we_eat_as_the_oil_runs_out
It's a long essay, but you need to read it.  As of May 2008, the world food production and distribution system is already showing early signs of the approaching collapse - soaring food prices worldwide and soaring fertilizer prices and shortages.

*  http://faculty.whatcom.ctc.edu/jrawlins/phys109/artlist.htm
Should you get hooked on learning about your energy deficient future, this webpage from WCC's Physics 109 course contains dozens of links to internet information on the subject.  I also list books I've read that I recommend, including a short description of what the books are all about.  If you want to involve yourself in WCC's 2006-08 Issue of the (2) Year(s) (concerning climate change, peak oil, and sustainable living) please see Barry Maxwell or Courtenay Chadwell-Gatz.  You can contribute to the community AND get credit (via the 'contract learning' route) for your efforts.

1k.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_temperature_record
This is an interesting page describing what we know (from several linked methods) about the long-term history of Earth's temperature. 

2.  Respond with written answers to the unit 9 discussion questions.   I'll take questions about these during class time.   Assess your responses by comparing with my unit 9 DQ responses on this web-site, as instructed on my responses page.  Turn these in the first day of unit 10.