printer friendly pageESS 228: Advanced survey of current research in climate dynamics
This is a guided reading course that will explore current papers in climate dynamics and climate change, with an emphasis on the large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulations. Topics include energy balance models, changes in the jet streams and attendant storm tracks, variability in ocean circulations like the Gulf Stream, the polar amplification of warming trends, and how storms like hurricanes and supercell thunderstorms may change under global warming. The structure of the course will include reading one influential peer-reviewed paper each week, accompanied by instruction and problem sets to familiarize students with the fundamental concepts discussed in the papers. Prerequisite: either
Earthsys 146A/
ESS 246A or
Earthsys 146B/
ESS 246B or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
Last offered: Spring 2022
ESS 246B: Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics: the Ocean Circulation (CEE 162I, CEE 262I, EARTHSYS 146B)
Introduction to the physics governing the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean and their control on climate with emphasis on the large-scale ocean circulation. This course will give an overview of the structure and dynamics of the major ocean current systems that contribute to the meridional overturning circulation, the transport of heat, salt, and biogeochemical tracers, and the regulation of climate. Topics include the tropical ocean circulation, the wind-driven gyres and western boundary currents, the thermohaline circulation, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, water mass formation, atmosphere-ocean coupling, and climate variability. Prerequisites:
MATH 51 or
CME100; and
PHYSICS 41; and a course that introduces the equations of fluid motion (e.g.
ESS 246A,
ESS 148, or
CEE 101B).
Last offered: Winter 2023
ESS 247: Tropical Meteorology
Introduction to tropical meteorology and climate. Topics include radiative-convective equilibrium, Hadley and Walker circulations, equatorial waves, El Nino/Southern Oscillation, the Madden-Julian Oscillation, monsoons and tropical cyclones. Prerequisites:
Math 51 or
CME100; and (concurrent is acceptable)
ESS 246A and
ESS 246B, or consent of the instructor.
Last offered: Spring 2021
ESS 248: Polar Climate Dynamics
This course explores some of the key physical processes that govern Earth?s cold, high-latitude regions and their impacts on our global climate. Topics of interest include the ocean circulation in the Arctic and Southern Ocean, sea ice dynamics and variability, deep water formation and upwelling, the transport and uptake of heat and carbon at high latitudes, polar amplified warming, ice sheet mass balance, and internal modes polar climate variability. We will discuss these topics in the context of past, present, and future climate change. Classes will be a mix of lectures and paper discussions. Lectures will focus on fundamental concepts while assigned readings and in-class discussions explore their application in active research. Students will take turns presenting papers and leading discussions. Evaluations will be based on homework, in-class presentations, and a final report. There are no assigned textbooks. Recommended prerequisites: a course that introduces ocean or atmospheric circulation (e.g.,
Earthsys 146A/
ESS 246A,
Earthsys 146B/
ESS 246B or
CEE162D) and prior exposure to multivariable calculus (e.g.,
MATH 51 or
CME100). Undergraduates who have the recommended prerequisites are welcome to enroll.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Wilson, E. (PI)
;
Arlen, L. (TA)
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