Introduces students to the dynamic causes of deserts in the context of atmospheric processes and land-surface physics. Discusses desert severe weather, desert microclimates, human impacts and desertification, inter-annual variability in aridity (drought), the effects of deserts on global climate, and the impact of desert climate on humans. Prereq., ATOC 1050 or equivalent. Same as ATOC 5750. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural sciences.
