SYLLABUS

COURSE PHILOSOPHY AND GOAL:  In this course, we will discuss major modes/patterns of climate variability, focusing on interannual to multi-decadal time scales, including El Nino-Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, Monsoon, North Atlantic Oscillation, and Annular modes (Arctic and Antarctic Oscillation), and polar sea ice. We will review climate modes/pattern dynamics, their teleconnection mechanisms, their impacts on weather, climate and society, their evolution through time (how the behavior of these modes changed in the past, and how anthropogenic climate change may affect future mode behavior). We will also discuss predictability of climate modes/patterns on seasonal to interannual time scales (how are predictions made? what are their limitations?), and projection of climate modes/patterns during the 21st century. The class will be a mixture of lectures, discussions, and student presentations.

TEXTBOOK:  No textbook is required.

PREREQUISITE:  No previous course requirements.

HOMEWORK:  Late homework will incur a penalty of 10% per day without prior arrangements. There will be some reading assignments relevant to topics covered by the course, which will be discussed in the class.

GRADING:  A-E
30% Homework,  20% Midterm exam,   20% In-class presentation,   30% Research paper on topic chosen by students

POLICIES: 

Absence policies

Information about academic integrity