The Oceans and Climate Lab at CU Boulder explores the dynamics of the coupled Earth system toward useful predictions of impacts ranging from marine ecosystems to human health. Specifically, we aim to understand the circuitry of the tropical ocean and atmosphere, its interaction with ecosystems and with higher latitude regions, how and why the climate system has changed in the past, and how climate will continue to change in the future–both naturally and as driven by human activities. We employ a 'big data' methodology, leveraging satellite and instrumental observations, large international ensembles of global coupled climate model simulations, and running several ocean and atmosphere circulation models in house.
keywords
climate dynamics, physical oceanography, climate change, climate impacts, ocean circulation, hurricanes, human health
Teaching
courses taught
ATOC 1060 - Our Changing Environment: El Nino, Ozone, and Climate
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2024
Discusses the Earth's climate for nonscience majors, focusing on the role of the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere and land surface. Describes the water cycle, atmospheric circulations and ocean currents, and how they influence global climate, El Nino and the ozone hole. Discusses human impacts from climate change. Recommended prerequisite: ATOC 1050.
ATOC 3070 - Introduction to Oceanography
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Summer 2019 / Summer 2020
Explores Earth's dynamic oceans. Discusses the disciplines of oceanography including marine geology, chemistry, biology and physical oceanography with emphasis on global change. Specific topics may include: tectonics, currents, biogeochemical cycles, ecology and global warming. Recommended prerequisite: any 1000-level ATOC or GEOL course or ATOC major. Same as GEOL 3070.
ATOC 4215 - Descriptive Physical Oceanography
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Introduces descriptive and dynamical physical oceanography, focusing on the nature and dynamics of ocean currents and their role in the distribution of heat and other aspects of ocean physics related to the Earth's climate. Dynamical material limited to mathematical descriptions of oceanic physical systems.
ATOC 4500 - Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Upper Division
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Spring 2020 / Summer 2021 / Summer 2022
Acquaints students at the upper division level with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours within the degree as long as the topic is different. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Recommended restriction: students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
ATOC 4730 - Physical Oceanography and Climate
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Introduces the field of physical oceanography, with emphasis on the ocean's interaction with the global atmosphere. Analysis of the ocean's heat, salt, and momentum budgets, wind-driven and thermohaline circulations, climate cycles including El Nino, and the ocean's role in climate change. Theory complemented by state-of-the-art observations and models. Department recommended prerequisites: ATOC 1060 or ATOC 3070 or ATOC 3600 and one semester of calculus. Same as ATOC 5730.
ATOC 4990 - Internship
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
This course is designed to provide junior and senior ATOC majors with the opportunity to work hands-on in the community and to gain practical knowledge and experience in both research and industry. Participation in the program requires both on-site and academic work. Recommended restriction: Students should have junior or senior standing (at the time of the internship) and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
ATOC 5730 - Physical Oceanography and Climate
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Introduces the field of physical oceanography, with emphasis on the ocean's interaction with the global atmosphere. Analysis of the ocean's heat, salt, and momentum budgets, wind-driven and thermohaline circulations, climate cycles including El Nino, and the ocean's role in climate change. Theory complemented by state-of-the-art observations and models. Department recommended prerequisites: ATOC 1060 or ATOC 3070 or ATOC 3600 and one semester of calculus. Same as ATOC 4730.
ATOC 6020 - Seminar in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
Studies an area of current research in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Students read selected papers from the literature. Students and faculty give presentations and participate in discussions. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours within the degree. May be repeated for a total of 3 credit hours within a semester.
GEOL 3070 - Introduction to Oceanography
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Summer 2019 / Summer 2020
Explores Earth's dynamic oceans. Discusses the disciplines of oceanography including marine geology, chemistry, biology and physical oceanography with emphasis on global change. Specific topics may include: tectonics, currents, biogeochemical cycles, ecology and global warming. Recommended prerequisite: any 1000-level ATOC or GEOL course or ATOC major. Same as ATOC 3070.
MCEN 6949 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.
