The Colorado Internet Center for Environmental Problem Solving

University Environmental Course Listings

Modeling the Environment and Climate

Examines modeling of the environment and climate, including climate change. Construction of simple climate and environmental models from first principles. These models are used to examine the interrelationships that exist within the climate and the environment and to test hypotheses and theories related to climate and environmental change.

Weather and the Atmosphere

This course introduces principles of modern meteorology for non-science majors, with emphasis on scientific and human issues associated with severe weather events. Includes description, prediction, economic safety impacts of blizzards, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and firestorms. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural science.

Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate

This course covers the climate of the Earth for non-science majors, focusing on the role of the atmosphere and oceans in the climate system. Descriptions of climate system energy flow, atmosphere and ocean global circulations, El-Nino, monsoons and natural and human-caused climate change. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural sciences.

Analysis of the Climate and Weather Observations

The instruments, techniques, and statistical methods used in atmospheric observations. issues of data accuracy and spatial representativeness. Applications to ozone changes, surface temperature trends, interannual variability of climate, droughts, floods, and hurricanes. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural sciences.

Air Chemistry and Pollution

Composition of the atmosphere. Sources of gaseous and particulate pollutants: their chemistry, transport, and removal from the atmosphere. Application of general principles to acid rain, smog, and stratospheric ozone depletion. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural sciences.

Modeling the Environment and Climate

Examines modeling of the environment and climate, including climate change. Construction of simple climate and environmental models from first principles. These models are used to examine the interrelationships that exist within the climate and the environmental and to test hypotheses and theories related to climate and environmental change.

Critical Issues in Climate and Environment

Discussion of current issues such as ozone depletion, global warming, and air quality for graduate students in non- scientific fields. The course will provide the scientific background necessary to understand, follow scientific developments, and critically evaluate these issues.

Physical Processes in Atmospheres and Oceans

Atmospheric thermodynamics, hydrostatics, cloud and radioactive processes, and chemical cycle. Elementary dynamics with application to the earth and planetary atmosphere. PAOS graduate core course.

Dynamics of Oceans

Theory of the large scale wind-driven and thermohaline circulations in the oceans. Models of boundary currents, western intensification, ventilation, equatorial surface and undercurrents, ocean waves, and eddies. PAOS GRADUATE core course.

Remote Sensing of Atmospheres and Oceans

Examines fundamentals of radiative transfer; extinction and scattering-based passive remote sensing; emission- based passive remote sensing; principles of active remote sensing; multi-sensor and multi-wave-length approaches to satellite remote sensing; and future satellite systems and validation programs. PASO graduate core course requirement.

Introduction to Environmental Studies

A survey of environmental studies examining ecological, socioeconomic, political, aesthetic, and technological factors that influence the quality of life on Earth.

Race, Class, and Pollution Politics

Examines communities affected by major toxic contamination threats in the U. S., evaluating race and class factors in levels of governmental and private-sector responses and actions. Investigative research methods utilized at case study sites provide skills necessary for assessment of any environmental threat for protective action.

The Colorado Internet Center for Environmental Problem Solving Main Home Page -- Main Conflict Research Consortium Home Page

For more information contact: Guy Burgess, Co-Director, Conflict Research Consortium, Campus Box 327, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0327 Phone: (303)492-1635; Fax: (303)492-2154; E-Mail: crc@colorado.eduCopyright 1997 by Conflict Research Consortium