Oceans and Climate

Catalog description

The oceans exert an important influence on the Earth's climate, acting as the pacemaker of climate variability and change. This course will provide an introduction to the physical characteristics, dynamics, and feedbacks of ocean water and sea ice that contribute to the formation of ocean circulation, the transport of heat and freshwater, and the regulation of climate; review of climate changes in ocean and sea ice and their impacts through a synthesis of ocean and sea ice observations and modeling. The format of the class will be primarily lectures, but will also involve short presentations by students. Prerequisite(s): A ATM 210 and A MAT 113. May not be offered in 2024-2025.