ATM- 552: CLIMATE CHANGE

TOPIC:

This course discusses the current scientific understanding regarding anthropogenic climate change ("global warming"), including uncertainties and inherent limitations. Topics covered will include, among others, modeling aspects of climate change, greenhouse gas forcing and future emission scenarios, the role of aerosols and black carbon in global brightening and dimming, carbon cycle feedbacks, detection and attribution studies (fingerprinting), regional climate change, impacts of climate change on cryosphere, biosphere, sea-level rise, extreme events, etc. and mitigation and adaptation strategies. The 2007 IPCC AR4 report will serve as the basis for discussions but will be supplemented with results emerging from more recent studies.

INSTRUCTOR:    Mathias Vuille
                             ES 311
                             ph.: 442-4472
                             mathias@atmos.albany.edu

TIME AND LOCATION: Tue & Th. 11:45am - 1:05pm
                                        ES B13

CREDITS: 3

TEXTBOOK: no textbook required; we will instead read and discuss relevant papers for each topic

PREREQUISITES: No prerequisites besides the general prerequisites for all departmental graduate courses.

OFFICE HOURS: by appointment (best hours are after class)

WEBSITE:  http://www.atmos.albany.edu/deas/atmclasses/atm552

                        for pdf's of papers and lectures go here (password required)

FORMAT: The class is a mixture of lectures, seminar-style discussions and student presentations.

EVALUATION:   1) Mid term exam (20%)
                            2) Homework (10%)
                            3) In-class presentation (20%)
                            4) Research or review paper on topic chosen by student (50%)

SCHEDULE:

The schedule is approximate and subject to change. It will be adjusted and evolve as the class progresses.