PTYS/ASTR 212

The Science and Politics of Climate Change

This course explores the science of climate change and the political and commercial issues related to global warming. The first part of the course focuses on the scientific basis of climate change. Students will investigate the concepts and principles required for understanding planetary climates. They will assess the observational evidence for climate change and quantify the relative roles of natural and human drivers in causing it. They will connect and compare recent changes to historical climate trends and examine predictions for the impact of future climate change on the environment and our lives. The second part of the course focuses on the political and commercial issues related to climate change mitigation. Students will analyze policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explore their impacts from the perspectives of policymakers, commercial interests and the public.

Course Level: 
GenEd: Building Connections,
GenEd: Quantitative Reasoning,
GenEd: Writing,
PTYS Minor Elective
Course Level Other: 
Tier 2 NATS
Course Credits: 
3
Course Type: 
Undergraduate

Semester Section Number Instructor(s) Day/Time Location Resources
2022 Fall 00001 Tommi Koskinen TTH 12:30-1:45p.m. Kuiper 308 Syllabus
2023 Fall 001 Tommi Koskinen TTH 12:30-1:45p.m. Kuiper 308