Currently Offering (SPRING 2026)
ASL380: Climate Modeling
Basics of the climate system and introduction to climate modeling. Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy; horizontal and vertical energy transfer, moist processes, and wave processes. Numerical Modeling (Model overview, initial and boundary conditions, numerical techniques, parameterization of sub-grid scale processes, hierarchy of models, simulation, tuning, validation, and verifcation) Case studies (Phenomenological and process studies, viz. infuence of mountains and surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and precipitation distributions, etc.; modeling of climate change due to doubling of CO2, etc.)
Key Topics
- Climate system & conservation laws
- Numerical modeling & parameterization
- Model simulation, tuning & validation
- Atmospheric & wave processes
Learning Approach
The course is conceptual in nature. Concepts and physical processes are explained from first principles, with a focus on developing physical intuition rather than mathematical complexity. No prior coursework in climate science is required. A background in pre-university mathematics and physics is sufficient to follow the material.
Essential Resources
Atmospheric Circulation Dynamics and General Circulation Models
Climate Change and Climate Modeling
Forthcoming (AUTUMN 2026)
ASL360: The Earth’s Atmosphere: Physical Principles
This course is on the physical principles of the Earth’s atmosphere. The course will begin with the forces and energy governing the atmospheric fows and regulating the weather and climate of the planet. Physical processes such as atmospheric convection will be discussed in great detail. How the atmospheric fows transport mass, momentum, and energy in space will be described. The general features of the today’s atmosphere will be explained. Emphases will be given on the need and art of atmospheric modeling and future projection of the atmosphere for the next century. The course is very conceptual in nature with a strong research favour, and will introduce undergraduate students to the art of research in context of the subject.
Key Topics
- Forces & Governing Equations
- Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Stability
- Transport & Circulation
- Waves & Instabilities
Learning Approach
The course builds physical intuition from first principles of mechanics and thermodynamics, emphasizing conceptual clarity over mathematical complexity. Core ideas are developed systematically and connected to real atmospheric phenomena. The aim is to strengthen analytical thinking and scientific reasoning. Students are encouraged to approach the subject with a research-oriented mindset.
Essential Resources
Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Dynamics
Marshall, J. & Plumb, R. A. (2007)
Global Physical Climatology
Hartmann, D. L. (2015)
The Global Circulation of the Atmosphere
Randall, D. (2015)