Course Descriptions

CLES101 Climate Dynamics

This course will address the physical and chemical processes that govern Earth’s climate. We will develop a theoretical understanding of atmospheric and oceanic dynamics and how they intersect to create our climate system. Students will learn to build small-scale climate models and work with modern datasets, including paleoclimate archives, satellite observations, and climate reanalysis products to support that theoretical understanding.

Prerequisite(s): One course in chemistry (CHEM042 HM or CHEM014L KS or CHEM034L KS or CHEM001A PO) and one course in computer science (CSCI005 HM or CSCI004 PZ or CSCI051P PO or CSCI040 CM or DS 001 SC) and one course in calculus (MATH019 HM or MATH030 CM/PO/PZ/SC) and one course in mechanics (PHYS024 HM or PHYS030L KS or PHYS033L KS or PHYS071 PO or PHYS125 PO) and one course addressing thermodynamics (CHEM051 HM or ENGR082 HM or PHYS117 HM).

Credits: 3

Instructor: Kavassalis

Offered: Fall

CLES120 Games for Climate Change Literacy

Students will learn to use human-computer interaction methodologies, behavioral theories, and the transformational framework to design climate change literacy games with the intention of inspiring positive behavioral change in players. Each game will be grounded in climate change literature for the rationale and arguments students make about different game design decisions. An example of a transformational game is Wingspan, for which there is anecdotal evidence of players becoming bird and nature enthusiasts because of the game’s influence.

Prerequisite: CSCI005 HM. The course may build on CORE079 HM, CSCI181AMHM, or coursework in environmental analysis, but does not require it. There will be no coding in this class. Juniors and seniors only.

Credits: 3

Instructor: Kirabo

Offered: Spring

CLES179A Transportation Technology and Climate Policy

High-quality transportation services are essential for our way of life. However, transportation is a major expense, causes significant negative side effects, and is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. This course examines the complex system-of-systems that is modern transportation as well as the many technologies and policies that can mitigate the negative effects of transportation while maintaining or improving transportation services. These include cleaner and electric vehicles, lower emission fuels, and changes to travel demand. It also explores transportation’s messy history of inequity and options to improve environmental justice. This course has a U.S. focus with a balance of technology and policy content and a strong interactive component.

Credits: 3

Instructor: Austin Brown ’02 (adjunct)

Offered: Spring 2024

CLES179B Technology and Policy for Climate

Climate change is one of the world’s most pressing challenges. Addressing it will require deeply reengineering the energy system over the next few decades. How humanity achieves this transition is neither straightforward nor simple. Technical, economic, and political obstacles abound. In this course, we will explore how to develop, promote, and scale solutions to climate change in the energy sector. This course will cover four distinct but interrelated themes: forecasting and modeling energy systems, reengineering the energy system, managing carbon dioxide, and the interaction of science and technology with public policy. This is a survey course designed to provide an overview of climate change responses, but each unit will emphasize field-specific thinking and methodological understanding.

Credits: 3

Instructor: Joseph Majkut ’06 (adjunct)

Offered: Spring 2024