Climate Dynamics Undergraduate Offerings

CLIM 101: Global Warming: Weather, Climate, and Global Society

The course is designed for a broad cross section of students, both science and non-science majors alike. The only prerequisite is an interest in understanding some of the key issues in climate science and how they affect society. CLIM 101 satisfyies the General Education Natural Science requirement (non-lab). 3 credits.

CLIM 111/112: Introduction to the Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science (New Course)

An overview the Earth’s atmosphere, its history, and the physical and chemical process which determine its characteristics. The focus is on key concepts from thermodynamics, radiation, chemistry, and dynamics that are essential for understanding the state, variability, and long term evolution of the atmosphere, especially in the context of comparisons with other planetary atmospheres. 3 credit lecture component (CLIM 111) and 1 credit lab (CLIM 112).

CLIM 301 Weather Analysis and Prediction (New Course)

Introduces the observational network, numerical weather models, and prediction.  Laboratory portion gives practical experience in weather analysis, prediction, and technology currently used for visualization and analysis. 4 credits (3 credits lecture, 1 credit lab).

CLIM 412: Physical Oceanography (New Course)

Course describes the global patterns of temperature, salinity, currents and waves in the world's oceans, and how these patterns influence marine biota, climate, and human activity. Course introduces key concepts which explain physical features of the ocean ranging from microscopic turbulence to global circulation. 3 credits.