PCC Current Research in Climate Science Seminar (ATM S/ESS/OCEAN 586)

Winter 2026: Climate Extremes

Instructor: LuAnne Thompson

OCEAN/ATMS/ESS 586 CR/NC, 2 credits. GCeCS Seminar

Each year this course focuses on a different topic. This year, you will listen to talks by a variety of speakers who will talk about different aspects of Climate Extremes. This will include talks by experts on extreme rainfall, heat waves on land, and extremes in the ocean such as rapid sea level rise, low dissolved oxygen, and high ocean acidity. Students will read scientific papers that focus on the topic of each lecture. Students will also comment on the papers in an online discussion board and respond to a comment by another student. This course is required for the Graduate Certificate in Climate Science.

OCEAN/ATMS/ESS 475 Graded 3 Credits. Climate Minor Capstone

Students will attend the seminars along with 586 students. You will also dive deeper into an aspect of Climate Extremes that interests you. You will read the primary literature and choose an aspect of climate extremes such as extreme rainfall, heat waves on land, sea level extremes, low dissolved oxygen and high ocean acidity etc. to focus on. You will be required to read papers to prepare for the seminars and to write a comment or question on a discussion board. You will write an annotated bibliography on four papers in the primary literature that focus on your topic. Three final writing assignments, one-page newspaper style article, a one-page policy brief, and a research paper. Activities in class will support your research. This will include peer review of shorter assignments, and one on one meetings with the instructor. This course is required for the Climate Minor.