Physical Climatology

Prerequisites & course information

Explore climate science through the lens of physical principles and Earth system science. Examine the key components of the Earth system--the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere--their interactions, and their responses to both natural and human-induced forcing. Discuss radiation, energy balance, and atmospheric/oceanic general circulation; the hydrological cycle, with a focus on surface hydrology and land-atmosphere interactions; climate feedbacks, sensitivity, and variability across temporal scales (past, present, and future). Focus on human impacts on the climate system, including urbanization, irrigation, industrialization, air pollution, and tropical deforestation. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester.