Academic Courses


12.312 (IAP): Understand and run your own climate model
Overviews the fundamentals of simulating the Earth's climate. Basic background on the processes maintaining the climate is provided. Students run simple climate models (radiative-convective equilibrium and energy balance models) in Matlab and analyze output from the comprehensive climate models used in global-warming assessments.
Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F
Pre-req: GIR:PHY1, GIR:CAL1
Class syllabus
Course Website
(Note: 12.312 will not be taught during IAP 2012 as I will be on sabbatical)

12.802 (Spring): Wave Motions in the Ocean and Atmosphere
Basic ideas of geophysical wave motion in rotating, stratified, and rotating-stratified fluids.
(Co-taught with Glenn Flierl)
Course Website


12.812 (Fall): The general circulation of the atmosphere and climate change
An exposition of the main features of the general circulation of the Earth's atmosphere. The final part of the course will explore possible changes in the general circulation associated with climate change.
Pre-req: 12:800 or instructor's permission
Course Website