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SIO 20: The Atmosphere


About This Course

This course describes the distinguishing features of the Earth’s atmosphere, providing a non-technical overview of the role of the atmosphere in meteorology and climate sciences. 

This course is part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Marine Science Minor at UC San Diego. 

Credit: 4 units

What You Will Learn


This course describes the distinguishing features of the Earth’s atmosphere, providing a non-technical overview of the role of the atmosphere in meteorology and climate sciences.

Topics include atmospheric structure, global temperature trends and their causes, water-temperature relationships, the ozone layer and hole, Earth’s radiation balance forecasting transport and storms, greenhouse gas effects, aerosols and clouds, precipitation and acid rain, and climate change.

Prerequisites


  None. 

 The course assumes no prerequisite knowledge.

Course Meeting Details


Required Live Sessions:  Live Midterm and Final Exams. 

 

Course content (video lectures, discussion prompts, readings, etc.) is delivered asynchronously. All assignments and exams will be submitted online. 

The instructional staff will hold scheduled (synchronous) weekly instructor office hours, which are optional and also available by appointment. 

Note: There will be scheduled (synchronous) midterm and final exams.