Academic Courses


12.097 (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 mode ls used in global-warming assessments. The components of a modern general circulation model will be discussed.
Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F
Pre-req: GIR:PHY1, GIR:CAL1
12.097 Course Website

12.812: The general circulation of the atmosphere and climate change
This course will be 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.
MW, 10:30-12, 54-1510
Pre-req: 12:800 or instructor's permission
12.812 Course Website


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