Teaching

EPS 181, Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics, Fall 2025

This syllabus is still being developed. Check for updates closer to the start of the fall semester.

Overview

This course examines the processes that determine the structure and circulation of the Earth's atmosphere and ocean, and how they control regional and global climate. The approach is deductive rather than descriptive: to determine the properties and behavior of the atmosphere and ocean based on the laws of physics and fluid dynamics. Topics will include interaction between radiation and atmospheric composition; the role of water in the energy and radiation balance; governing equations for atmospheric and oceanic motion, mass conservation, and thermodynamic energy balance; geostrophic flow, quasigeostrophic motion, baroclinic instability, and dynamics of extratropical cyclones and wind-driven ocean gyres.

Time
Class: M W, 2-3:30 Pacific
Section: F, 2-3 Pacific
Location
325 McCone
Required text
TBD
Prerequisites
Mathematics 53, 54; Physics 7A, 7B, 7C
Grading
Homework XX% (due weekly)
Midterm I XX% (325 McCone, October 8, 2pm Pacific)
Midterm II XX% (325 McCone, November 5, 2pm Pacific)
Final XX% (325 McCone, December 18, 3pm Pacific)
Letter grades are 90-100% for an A, 80-90% for a B, 70-80% for a C, etc., with each decile split into equal thirds to determine + and -.
Homework
TBD
Exams
Exams are in-person and closed-book
Taking of regularly scheduled exams is mandatory
Only exception is documented medical incapacitation
Do not enroll if unable to attend the exams
Copyright
All course materials are copyrighted
This includes lectures, slides, videos, homework, and exams
Course materials are for your own use; they may not be distributed
Distribution or posting of course material is a violation of law and University policy
To avoid sanctions, do not put course material on websites or cloud services
Honor code
"As a member of the UCB community, I act with honesty, integrity, and respect for others."
The honor code is taken seriously in EPS 7
Academic misconduct or a violation of course policy will result in sanctions
Professor (romps@berkeley.edu)
David Romps
Professor office hours
TBD
GSI
TBD
GSI office hours
TBD

Syllabus

TBD