Climate sensitivity is defined as either the temperature change resulting from a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration or the temperature change resulting from a 1W/m2 increase in radiative forcing. There are several different climate sensitivities that take into account different feedbacks in the climate system. The simplest climate sensitivity is black body sensitivity, which does not account for any feedbacks but gives the temperature change resulting just from a change in radiative forcing. The calculated climate sensitivity based only on the Stefan-Boltzmann Law is lower than the climate sensitivity calculated using both temperature data over the last 100 years and ice age data over the last ~200,000 years, indicating that feedbacks have played a role in climate sensitivity. World population is also discussed, with population trends outlined for various countries as well as trends associated with developing areas versus developed areas. The issue of sustainable population is introduced.

1. Introduction to Atmospheres
2. Retaining an Atmosphere
3. The Perfect Gas Law
4. Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere; Residence Time
5. Earth Systems Analysis (Tank Experiment)
6. Greenhouse Effect, Habitability
7. Hydrostatic Balance
8. Horizontal Transport
9. Water in the Atmosphere I
10. Water in the Atmosphere II
11. Clouds and Precipitation (Cloud Chamber Experiment)
12. Circulation of the Atmosphere (Exam I review)
13. Global Climate and the Coriolis Force
14. Coriolis Force and Storms
15. Convective Storms
16. Frontal Cyclones
17. Seasons and Climate
18. Seasons and Climate Classification
19. Ocean Bathymetry and Water Properties
20. Ocean Bathymetry and Water Properties
21. Ocean Water Density and Atmospheric Forcing
22. Ocean Currents
23. Ocean Currents and Productivity
24. El Niño
25. Ice in the Climate System
26. Ice and Climate Change
27. Isotope Evidence for Climate Change
28. Global Warming
29. Global Warming II
30. Global Warming III
31. Climate Sensitivity and Human Population
32. The Two Ozone Problems
33. The Ozone Layer
34. Energy Resources, Renewable Energy
35. Renewable Energy
36. Review and Overview
37. Lab - Quinnipiac River Field Trip

This course explores the physical processes that control Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and climate. Quantitative methods for constructing mass and energy budgets. Topics include clouds, rain, severe storms, regional climate, the ozone layer, air pollution, ocean currents and productivity, the seasons, El Niño, the history of Earth's climate, global warming, energy, and water resources.