Math 396 CL
Introduction to Mathematical Climate Science


Global climate change is one of the most serious problems facing humanity.  Climate science is a rapidly expanding, interdisciplinary field, with increasing participlation by mathematicians (see for example, Mathematics of Planet Earth, 2013).  This course will introduce students to applications of vector calculus and differential equations to the study of global climate. Fundamental equations governing atmospheric dynamics will be derived and solved for a variety of situations. Topics include: thermodynamics of the atmosphere, potential temperature, parcel concepts, hydrostatic balance, dynamics of air motion and wind flows, energy balance, an introduction to radiative transfer, and elementary mathematical climate models.
Class Meetings              Tuesday & Thursdays, 11:00 to 12:15 p.m., Chaparral Hall 5117

Prerequisites          
Math 250 and Math 280 (or Math 351), or Permission of the Instructors
Grading There will be two midterm exams, each worth 20%, and a final exam worth 40% of the grade.  Quizzes and homework together will constitute 20% of the grade.  Plus grades  (+) and minus grades (–) will be assigned for this course.  The date of the midterms will be announced in class.  5 bonus points may be earned for each Climate Seminar presentation attended.

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 10:15 to 12:15 a.m.
Textbook Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey, Second edition
Authors: Wallace and Hobbs
  



Instructor Information
 David Klein
Santa Susana Hall,  Room 127  
Phone: (818) 677-7792
email: david.klein@csun.edu, web page: www.csun.edu/~vcmth00m
Office Hours: MW 10:30 to 11:30 & by Appointment

Cristina Cadavid
Eucalyptus Hall, Room 2105
Phone: (818) 677- 2171
email: ana.cadavid@csun.edu
Office Hours: 12:15 to 1:15, TTh & by Appointment


Additional References  

Elementary Climate Physics, by F.W. Taylor
                        
Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics, by M.L. Salby

An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation Dynamics, by K.N. Liou

An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics, by D. G. Andrews


Online Resources

Climate Overview: Powerpoint from first class meeting

Curtis Lab Research: Optical and Chemical properties of atmospheric aerosols (powerpoint)

CSUN Climate Science Program: www.csun.edu/climate

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Real Climate

The Discovery of Global Warming, by Spencer Weart, director of the Center for History of Physics at the American Institute of Physics. http://www.aip.org/history/climate/index.htm

Radiation sites

GISS Surface Temperature Analysis, NASA

Global Maps for Net Radiation, NASA

Dynamics sites

Laboratory Demonstrations of Planetary-Style Fluid Dynamics, from Spin-Lab at UCLA

Perpetual Ocean: NASA simulation of worldwide ocean currents


Exams and Homework Assignments

Assignment 1, Due Sept 18, Chapter 3 problems: 3.19, 3.20, 3.26, 3.32, 3.33 (part a only), 3.36
Solutions to Assignment 1

Assignment 2, Due Sept 27, Chapter 3 problems: 3.22, 3.37 (only the analytic part, not the charts), 3.41. 3.42, 3.58, 3.64
Solutions to Assignment 2

Exam 1 Oct. 2 covers Chapter 3.

Assignment 3, Due Oct. 16, Chapter 4 problems: 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.24, 4.43, 4.46 (hint: use Eqs. 4.32, 3.17,  and the scale height is H in Eq. 3.25), 4.51

Assignment 4, Due Nov. 20, Chapter 7 problems: 7.8, 7.18, 7.23, 7.24, and do extra problems here (more to come, so check back...)

Exam 2 Nov. 29 covers Chapter 4 and parts of Chap 7

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 10:15 to 12:15 a.m.


Climate Fellowship Opportunities

CSUN Climate Science Program's JPL Summer Fellowships