This class will provide fundamental insight into the highly interdisciplinary field of snow science, which is situated at the interface of chemistry, materials science, physics, mechanics, and climate science. Key topics include an introduction to the global cryosphere, the energetics and kinetics of snow grain metamorphism, snowpack dynamics and their impacts on stability, fracture mechanics, heat transfer, and avalanche characteristics. The course will include field observations, laboratory characterization, and group-based in-class learning.

This class will provide fundamental insight into the highly interdisciplinary field of snow science, which is situated at the interface of chemistry, materials science, physics, mechanics, and climate science. Key topics include an introduction to the global cryosphere, the energetics and kinetics of snow grain metamorphism, snowpack dynamics and their impacts on stability, fracture mechanics, heat transfer, and avalanche characteristics. The course will include field observations, laboratory characterization, and group-based in-class learning.