Ice on earth is sensitive to climate change and ice plays a role in climate change processes. Recent trends in the Greenland ice sheet provide an important example. Over the past two decades the extent of surface melt water on the ice sheet has increased. In addition, satellites have detected a decrease in the overall mass of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Paleoclimate is also discussed in this lecture, with a focus on climate over the last 5 million years. The mid-Pliocene was a particularly warm period from 3.3-3 million years before present. The Pleistocene was a more recent cold period ending with the Last Glacial Maximum about 14,000 years before present. In comparison, the Holocene (12,000 years ago to present) has been a relatively warm stable climatic period. Geomorphology is used to determine the extent of continental ice in the past.

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.