Climate Science
** available as of 06/15/2025
** available as of 06/15/2025
Prerequisites: ENVS 224 and MATH 118.
The focus of this course is Earth's climate system, including the role of the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and land-atmosphere interaction. This course digs deeper into the physical principles underlying climate processes, energy balance, feedback mechanisms, climate variability and climate dynamics, including large-scale atmospheric and ocean circulation. This course will discuss recent climate change, and projections for future climate scenarios. Students will have hands-on experience with practicing climate modelling tools, analyzing climate data, and exploring current research in climate science. Thus, this course will involve quantitative analysis and will reinforce students' reading, writing, and public-speaking skills through the class project on climate change.
Outcomes: Understand Earth's Climate Systems: Students will gain an in-depth understanding of Earth's climate system, including the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and land-atmosphere interactions, as well as the physical principles underlying climate processes such as energy balance, feedback mechanisms, and climate variability; Develop Quantitative Analysis Skills: Students will engage in quantitative analysis through climate modeling tools and data interpretation, enabling them to critically analyze climate data and understand large-scale climate dynamics like atmospheric and ocean circulation; Evaluate Climate Change Impacts and Projections: Students will explore recent scientific developments in climate change, assess current climate change impacts, and understand projections for future climate scenarios, preparing them to engage in informed discussions and decision-making related to climate policy and research; Enhance Communication and Research Skills: Through scientific paper reviews and presentations, students will enhance their ability to critically evaluate research, improve their public-speaking skills, and effectively communicate scientific findings to peers, fostering collaboration and scientific literacy.
The focus of this course is Earth's climate system, including the role of the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and land-atmosphere interaction. This course digs deeper into the physical principles underlying climate processes, energy balance, feedback mechanisms, climate variability and climate dynamics, including large-scale atmospheric and ocean circulation. This course will discuss recent climate change, and projections for future climate scenarios. Students will have hands-on experience with practicing climate modelling tools, analyzing climate data, and exploring current research in climate science. Thus, this course will involve quantitative analysis and will reinforce students' reading, writing, and public-speaking skills through the class project on climate change.
Outcomes: Understand Earth's Climate Systems: Students will gain an in-depth understanding of Earth's climate system, including the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and land-atmosphere interactions, as well as the physical principles underlying climate processes such as energy balance, feedback mechanisms, and climate variability; Develop Quantitative Analysis Skills: Students will engage in quantitative analysis through climate modeling tools and data interpretation, enabling them to critically analyze climate data and understand large-scale climate dynamics like atmospheric and ocean circulation; Evaluate Climate Change Impacts and Projections: Students will explore recent scientific developments in climate change, assess current climate change impacts, and understand projections for future climate scenarios, preparing them to engage in informed discussions and decision-making related to climate policy and research; Enhance Communication and Research Skills: Through scientific paper reviews and presentations, students will enhance their ability to critically evaluate research, improve their public-speaking skills, and effectively communicate scientific findings to peers, fostering collaboration and scientific literacy.