Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A survey of the climate system, with emphasis on the interactions among its components; radiation, energy and water balances; carbon cycle; climate sensitivity and feedbacks; natural and human-induced climate change. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the basic principles and processes governing the Earth’s climate. It emphasizes the notion of climate as a “system”, i.e. an entity regulated by the physical and biogeochemical interactions between its components – the atmosphere, ocean and land surface. Topics examined in the course include:

• The “system’s approach” to climate
• Global energy balance, greenhouse effect
• Atmospheric circulation, hydrologic cycle
• Climate variability
• Ocean circulation and climate
• Land surface and climate
• Carbon cycle
• Climate feedbacks
• History and evolution of Earth’s climate
• Global warming

Course organization: The course will be organized around a 2-hour in-person lecture, and a 2-hour in-person laboratory session each week. All course materials will be made available through Canvas.

Lab sessions will start in the second week of classes.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After completing the course students will be able to:

• Recall and explain key processes in the atmosphere, ocean and on the land surface that govern Earth’s climate
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of simple models to interpret the dynamics of the climate system
• Effectively communicate scientific information in written and visual form

Grading

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: