Weather and Climate Issues for the 21st Century

Catalog description

You can't avoid it; everyone experiences the weather and climate in their daily lives! This course will examine the physics that explains weather and climate variability as well as climate change. Topics of discussion will include the nature of weather systems (e.g., fronts and cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes and thunderstorms, lightning, rain processes, etc.), observations and theory of climate variability and change (including introduction to the climate system, water and energy cycles, the greenhouse effect and anthropogenic climate change) as well as key environmental issues (e.g., pollution, ozone hole, etc.). The science will inform classroom discussions and projects focused on 21st century issues related to weather and climate. Open to Honors College students only. May not be offered in 2024-2025.