Special Topics in Environmental Science
TOPIC TITLE: Land-Atmosphere Interactions
Course Description
In the last two decades, about one-third of all anthropogenic CO2 emissions have been absorbed by the terrestrial biosphere. Understanding the processes that control this carbon uptake is key for projecting how the atmospheric CO2 concentration will evolve. The goal of this course is to foster an interdisciplinary understanding of land-atmosphere interactions while acquiring the necessary technical skills for conducting global carbon cycle research. The course begins with examining processes that drive fluxes at the biochemical level and advances to encompass mechanisms relevant at the leaf, canopy, and global scales. The tutorials provide opportunities for active engagement with the material at varying levels of complexity, including programming exercises for visualizing and interpreting equations and data, as well as conducting carbon cycle simulations on a high-performance computer. Developing technical skills alongside the theory will assist you in deepening your understanding of the subject and equip you with the tools you need for conducting your own research. The course welcomes a diversity of thoughts, perspectives and experiences, and honours students' identities, including race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, and ability. For more information, please visit
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above and registration in an (ENSC Major, ENVS Major, ENVS Medial, EBIO, ECHM, EGEO, EGPY, ELSC or ETOX plan) or permission of the School.