Global Climates ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

The Earth’s climates provide the temperature and moisture contexts for life on Earth. In this course, students will study ways the Earth’s astronomical position and the atmosphere’s interactions with land surfaces, oceans, and aquatic/terrestrial organisms create the global climates to which entire ecosystems have adapted. Students will apply methods of climate classification and climate data analysis. Students will explore methods by which climate has changed throughout geological time and examine current trends in climate change. Particular emphasis will be placed on the impacts of climate change on weather patterns (trends towards the extremes), species/species populations, water availability, and food security. Foundational knowledge in the natural sciences is required. This course contains elements which rely on vision and motor skills to complete. If you have a visual or motor impairment and are considering registering for this course, it is recommended that you reach out to Accessibility Resources and Services ([email protected]) in advance of registration to determine if this course is appropriate and what alternatives may be available. Prerequisites: Earth Science, Introduction to Geology, or Environmental Science, or equivalent.