PHYC 2800

Climate Change

Lec 01 selected

The workings of the Earth's climate system are examined and then applied to help understand contemporary climate change. The role of numerical climate models is discussed with the aim of interpreting climate change predictions for the coming decades. Finally the impacts of climate change are studied with a focus on the various mitigation and adaptation strategies needed.

Sections

Lecture

From the syllabus

From the Fall 2026 syllabus by Quan Dau, Nicole Chisholm, and Phillipe Gauvin-Bourdon. Open the PDF

Grading

35%Assignments (3)2 individual and 1 group
25%MidtermNov 6; 45 minutes
35%Final exam45 minutes; scheduled by Registrar
5%Attendance

Textbooks

  • Introduction to Modern Climate Change, 3rd Edition, A. E. Dessler (optional)
  • Climate Change: Observed Impacts on Planet Earth, 3rd Edition, T. M. Letcher (optional)
  • Climate Box Textbook, UNDP (optional, free)

Course rules

Attendance
Students are expected to attend in person; attendance is checked by QR code or link during a five-minute window.
Late work
Assignments submitted late without an approved extension lose 10% per day.
Missed assignments
A missed assignment receives zero.
Missed midterm
There is no make-up midterm; an approved absence raises the final exam weight to 60%.
Missed final
A missed final receives zero; an alternative exam time is available only in exceptional circumstances.
Assignment submission
Submit assignments as PDFs through Brightspace by midnight on the due date; emailed submissions are not accepted.
Individual work
Individual assignments must be completed independently, though students may discuss course concepts and requirements.
Group work
Group members must contribute meaningfully; collaboration outside the assigned group is not permitted unless authorized.
Generative AI
Only Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is permitted, with restrictions, disclosure, and documentation requirements.

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