Studies dynamics, predictability, and impacts of changes in the Earth’s climate on timescales from seasons to millennia. Focuses on the tropical oceans where natural and man-made changes can have far-flung influences. Explores the mechanism driving these climate fluctuations using complex and conceptual models combined with historical and paleo observations. Studies tipping points in the climate system via analysis of past climate changes in models and paleoclimate records. Has made progress understanding the dynamics and predictability of El Niño, La Niña, the existence of tipping points in the tropical oceans, as well as improving predictions of long-term climate changes across the tropics. Recent research demonstrates a human influence on decadal fluctuations in the climate of the North Pacific previously thought to be entirely naturally generated.
ATOC 1060 - Our Changing Environment: El Nino, Ozone, and Climate
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2024
Discusses the Earth's climate for nonscience majors, focusing on the role of the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere and land surface. Describes the water cycle, atmospheric circulations and ocean currents, and how they influence global climate, El Nino and the ozone hole. Discusses human impacts from climate change. Recommended prerequisite: ATOC 1050.
ATOC 4500 - Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Upper Division
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Acquaints students at the upper division level with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours within the degree as long as the topic is different. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Recommended restriction: students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
ATOC 5500 - Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
Acquaints students with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Formerly ATOC 7500.
ATOC 6020 - Seminar in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Studies an area of current research in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Students read selected papers from the literature. Students and faculty give presentations and participate in discussions. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours within the degree. May be repeated for a total of 3 credit hours within a semester.
ATOC 6800 - Scientific Writing
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Writing is the core of how we communicate our scientific findings. Successful science writing tells a compelling story and makes it easy for the reader to understand our results and their implications. In this hand-on class, student use their own research results to work on developing scientific writing skills that will increase the impact of their papers as well as make writing more enjoyable by learning how to approach the writing and editing process. Department enforced requisite: Students need to have their own research results first and at least one main conclusion from it in order to take this class.
