Climate Change Science Course | Prof. J. Srinivasan | IISc Bangalore
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 644 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Environmental Sciences, Energy, Climate and Sustainability, Energy and Environment |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 26 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Fundamentals of Climate Change Science with an IISc Expert
Are you an undergraduate or postgraduate student eager to move beyond the headlines and understand the core science behind climate change? A new, in-depth online course, Climate Change Science, offers a unique opportunity to learn from one of India's foremost experts in the field.
Instructor Prof. J. Srinivasan from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore brings over three decades of pioneering research and direct involvement with global climate assessments to this 12-week program. This course is designed to build a rigorous, quantitative understanding of what controls our planet's climate, how it has changed, and what the future may hold.
Learn from an IPCC Lead Author and Climate Science Pioneer
Your instructor's credentials provide unparalleled depth to this learning experience:
- 30+ Years of Expertise: Prof. Srinivasan has dedicated his career to climate change and monsoon research.
- IPCC Lead Author: He contributed as a lead author to the pivotal 2nd and 4th Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and was a review editor for the 3rd report.
- Academic Leadership: He served as Chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at IISc (1997-2005) and was the founding Chairman of the Divecha Centre for Climate Change established at IISc in 2009.
What You Will Learn in This 12-Week Course
This comprehensive course is structured to take you from foundational principles to complex climate phenomena. The weekly layout ensures a logical and thorough progression.
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | Foundations: Weather vs. climate, blackbody radiation, greenhouse effect, radiative properties of gases, and modeling global temperature. |
| Weeks 5-7 | Climate Dynamics: Stability of Earth's climate, feedback mechanisms (like ice-albedo), and the crucial concept of climate sensitivity. |
| Weeks 8-12 | Past, Present, and Future: Analysis of paleoclimates, the role of clouds, extreme past events like Snowball Earth, lessons from the Runaway Greenhouse on Venus, and the projected impacts of modern climate change. |
Course Details: Is This Course Right for You?
Intended Audience: This course is ideally suited for undergraduate and postgraduate students in science or engineering disciplines who possess a curiosity about the environment and a desire to understand the physical basis of climate change. Professionals seeking a solid scientific foundation may also benefit.
Prerequisites: A background in high school-level Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics is sufficient to grasp the course material. The course is designed to be accessible while maintaining scientific rigor.
Essential Reading and Resources
To complement the video lectures and assignments, the course references two key textbooks that students may find valuable for deeper study:
- An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation by K.N. Liou (Academic Press, 2002).
- Global Warming Science: A Quantitative Introduction to Climate Change and its Consequences by Eli Tziperman (Princeton University Press, 2022).
Why Enroll in Climate Change Science?
In an era of information overload, this course offers clarity and authority. You won't just learn what is happening to our climate; you will understand how and why from first principles. Prof. Srinivasan's experience with the IPCC means the curriculum is aligned with the most robust and internationally recognized science.
By the end of 12 weeks, you will be equipped to critically evaluate climate data, understand scientific reports, and engage in informed discussions about one of the most critical challenges of our time. This knowledge is invaluable for students pursuing careers in environmental science, policy, sustainability, energy, or any field where climate literacy is an asset.
Take the first step towards becoming climate-fluent. Enroll in Climate Change Science and build your expertise on a foundation of world-class science.
Enroll Now →