The causes, impacts and policies regarding hazards due to
atmospheric phenomena, including hurricanes, tornadoes,
windstorms, extreme temperature and precipitation events, and
climate change.
Athena Title
Atmospheric Hazards
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ATSC 3130E, GEOG 3130E
Prerequisite
GEOG 1111 or GEOG(ATSC)1112 or GEOG(ATSC)1112E or GEOG 2110H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify and appraise the physical causes and impacts of atmospheric hazards on society.
Throughout this course, students will examine the social and legal actions that mitigate or enhance the risks due to atmospheric hazards.
By the end of this course, students will demonstrate the ability to identify gaps in our knowledge and communication of, and policies relating to, atmospheric hazards.
This course will provide experience applying critical thinking to issues at the intersection of the human-natural climate system and link the fundamental physics of greenhouse gas forcing its consequent societal impacts.
Topical Outline
Introduction to atmospheric hazards
Hurricane hazards and coastal flooding
Hazards due to thunderstorms and tornadoes
Hazards due to mid-latitude cyclones and non-convective high
winds
Flood and drought hazards
Hazards due to heat waves and cold outbreaks
Air pollution hazards
Natural climate change hazards
Anthropogenic climate change hazards
Institutional Competencies
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
