Global Warming Science 101
ESE 101
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
An introduction to the science of global warming/climate change meant to assist students in understanding issues that appear in the news and public debates. The course is meant for STEM students with basic math preparation, not assuming prior science courses. Topics include the greenhouse effect and consequences of the rise of greenhouse gases, including sea level rise, ocean acidification, heat waves, droughts, glacier melting, forest fires, expected changes to hurricanes, and more. An ability to critically evaluate observations, predictions, and risks will be developed throughout. The scientific basis for each subject will be covered, and students will be guided in a hands-on, in-class quantitative analysis of climate observations, models, and feedbacks using provided Python Jupyter notebooks. This course satisfies the QRD requirement.
Course Notes
Non FAS students require instructor permission. This course fulfills the EPS sub-discipline requirement of Atmosphere(s) and Oceans. E-PSCI 101 is also offered as ESE 101. Students may not take both for credit. For SB students: this course can only count as a science elective in the concentration requirements, and SB students must enroll in E-PSCI 101. AB students may enroll in either E-PSCI 101 or ESE 101 to meet their concentration requirements.
Recommended Prep
Basic calculus and ordinary differential equations, as covered, for example, by Math 19a or Math 21b or permission of instructor. Some previous exposure to programming (in any programming language) is assumed, and Python will be introduced as part of the course. The course will introduce the students to various science subjects, but no prior college-level science knowledge is assumed.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
