Mathematical Climate Models

Richard McGehee, Instructor

Description

Earth's climate is changing rapidly, creating a crisis for humanity. This course will investigate the changing climate from a quantitative perspective by finding scientific data on the Internet, analyzing the data with spreadsheets, learning the basic processes determining Earth's climate, and projecting the data into the future.

Questions to be studied include these: What determines Earth's surface temperature? What is the role of greenhouse gasses, and why are they increasing so dramatically? What is meant by Earth's heat imbalance? When will the Arctic Ocean become ice free, and why does it matter?

Knowledge of high school algebra will be assumed. We will use spreadsheets to study data and models, but no prior experience with spreadsheets is required. We will introduce concepts from classical physics as needed, so no prior knowledge of physics is required. No background in climate science will be assumed. The main prerequisite is an eagerness to learn about Earth's climate and a willingness to investigate data.

For more information, contact Richard McGehee <mcgehee@umn.edu>