About the Course
We start with basic principles governing Earth’s temperature. The class begins with the nature of heat and light, then builds the very simplest conceptual—and algebraic—model for the climate of a planet, including the greenhouse effect.
Over the following weeks, we introduce complexities of the real world to this model: how greenhouse gases are selective about what light they absorb, how the temperature structure and weather in the atmosphere set the stage for the greenhouse effect, and how feedbacks amplify it. From this point on the exercises will be based on on-line interactive models for various aspects of Earth’s climate and carbon cycle, exploring the topics described in the video lectures.
We then turn to the carbon cycle of the Earth, how it stabilizes Earth’s climate on some time scales but destabilizes it on others. The fate of fossil fuel carbon will be determined by its integration into Earth’s ongoing natural carbon cycle.
The class concludes with a look at the human impact on Earth’s climate: why we believe it’s changing, why we believe we’re changing it, the impacts that could have, and the options we have to mitigate the situation.
Course Syllabus
Week 1: Our First Climate Model
Week 2: On Greenhouse Gases and the Atmosphere
Week 3: More on the Atmosphere – and Feedbacks
Week 4: The Carbon Cycle
Week 5: The Perturbed Carbon Cycle
Week 6: The Smoking Gun and Paleoclimate
Week 7: Impacts
Week 8: Mitigation
Recommended Background
This course assumes no scientific knowledge and is geared toward a general audience. The problem sets require high-school-level algebra. The optional data assignments require a fair amount of number crunching, but this can be accomplished with a spreadsheet application such as Google Spreadsheets.
Suggested Readings
All required reading will be provided within the course.
Course Format
A series of short lecture videos for each section. Videos will have embedded quizzes.
Optional reading assignments associated with each section.
Homework problems and quizzes, several of which rely on computer simulations of climate models.
Weekly “Explain it to an 11 year-old” peer-graded assignments.
Forum discussions. (These are optional, but encouraged.)
Five optional number-cruncher assignments in which students construct numerical models of the Earth system.
Final project on analyzing climate data.
FAQ
Will I earn a Statement of Accomplishment for this course?
Yes, students who complete the course at a satisfactory level will receive a Statement of Accomplishment.
What resources will I need for this class?
A computer, a good internet connection, and your curiosity.
Do I need to purchase anything for this class?
No. Everything required to succeed in this course will be available online: this course website, online simulations, or freely available online tools.
Do I need a scientific background?
No. This course is an accessible, multidisciplinary tour of climate science for a general audience.
What’s the coolest thing about this course?
Online climate simulations developed by the instructor will allow you to play with the physics and chemistry central to global warming.