Course Components

Textbook - Our Changing Climate: Introduction to Climate Science

The 14-chapter Our Changing Climate: Introduction to Climate Science (© 2014) text covers the fundamental principles in understanding Earth's climate system as a whole. The primary author of the text is Dr. Chad M. Kauffman (California University of Pennsylvania). Each chapter ends with ten Review and ten Critical Thinking Questions as well as essays. The textbook can be used independently or part of as the AMS Climate Studies course, which includes the Investigations Manual and RealTime Climate Portal.

More about the textbook.

Climate Studies Investigations Manual

A set of student learning investigations is coordinated with the text chapters. Investigations lead the student through analysis and interpretation of current climatological data. If partnered with the textbook, two investigations coordinate with the topic of each chapter. Answer forms and keys can be loaded to your learning management system prior to the term or if your semesters do not match the AMS delivery schedule.

More about the manual.

RealTime Climate Portal

The student website hosts the Current Climate Studies activities that compliment the topics in manual. The Weekly Climate News and current climate data are delivered weekly during the fall and spring semesters. All  and then archived.

Student access to the RealTime Climate Portal is included with the Climate Studies Investigations Manual.

More about the portal.

Climate Faculty Resource Material and Website

Delivered via the faculty website, the Faculty Resource Material includes PowerPoint presentations and textbook figures as well as answer forms and answer keys. Available in Word and PDF, and Respondus files compatible with learning management systems. 

More about the faculty resources.