Paul O. Wennberg
R. Stanton Avery Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Environmental Science and Engineering
B.A., Oberlin College, 1985; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1994. Associate Professor, Caltech, 1998-2001; Professor, 2001-04; Avery Professor, 2004-; Director, Linde Center, 2008-11, 2014-23; Executive Officer, 2012-23; Acting Director, Linde Center, 2012-14.
Research Summary
Laboratory and field studies probing the processes controlling photochemistry, dynamics, and radiation in the Earth's atmosphere; spectroscopy and kinetics; aircraft-borne and ground-based instrument development; Mars photochemistry and atmospheric science.
Research Options
Environmental Science and Engineering;
Research Areas
Atmospheric Chemistry;
Environmental Geochemistry;
2025-26
ESE 1. Earth's Climate.
9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2025-26.
An introduction to climate on Earth. How Earth's climate has changed in the past and its evolving response to the rapid increase in carbon dioxide and methane happening today. Model projections of future climate and associated risks. Development of climate policies in face of uncertainty in these projections and risks. Enrollment is limited. Satisfies the menu requirement of the Caltech core curriculum. Juniors and Seniors who have satisfied their menu course requirement should enroll in ESE 101.
Instructor: Wennberg
Instructor: Wennberg
ESE/Ge/Ch 171. Atmospheric Chemistry I.
9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2025-26.
Prerequisites: Ch 1 or equivalent.
A detailed course about chemical transformation in Earth's atmosphere. Kinetics, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics of gas-phase chemistry of the stratosphere and troposphere; sources, sinks, and lifetimes of trace atmospheric species; stratospheric ozone chemistry; oxidation mechanisms in the troposphere; aerosol chemistry.
Instructor: Wennberg
Instructor: Wennberg
ESE/ME/EST/Ec/ChE/EE 179. Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation.
3 units (3-0-0); second term, 2025-26.
Climate change has already begun to impact life on the planet, and will continue in the coming decades. This class will explore particular causes and impacts of climate change, technologies to mitigate or adapt to those impacts, and the economic and social costs associated with them - particular focus will be paid to distributional issues, environmental and racial justice and equity intersections. The course will consist of 3-4 topical modules, each focused on a specific impact or sector (e.g. the electricity or transportation sector, climate impacts of food and agriculture, increasing fires and floods). Each module will contain lectures/content on the associated climate science background, engineering/technological developments to combat the issue, and an exploration of the economics and the inequities that exacerbate the situation, followed by group discussion and synthesis of the different perspectives.
Instructors: Wennberg, Staff
Instructors: Wennberg, Staff
2024-25
ESE 1. Earth's Climate.
9 units (3-0-6); third term, 2024-25.
An introduction to climate on Earth. How Earth's climate has changed in the past and its evolving response to the rapid increase in carbon dioxide and methane happening today. Model projections of future climate and associated risks. Development of climate policies in face of uncertainty in these projections and risks. Enrollment is limited. Satisfies the menu requirement of the Caltech core curriculum. Juniors and Seniors who have satisfied their menu course requirement should enroll in ESE 101.
Instructor: Wennberg
Instructor: Wennberg
ESE/Ge/Ch 171. Atmospheric Chemistry I.
9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2024-25.
Prerequisites: Ch 1 or equivalent.
A detailed course about chemical transformation in Earth's atmosphere. Kinetics, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics of gas-phase chemistry of the stratosphere and troposphere; sources, sinks, and lifetimes of trace atmospheric species; stratospheric ozone chemistry; oxidation mechanisms in the troposphere; aerosol chemistry.
Instructor: Wennberg
Instructor: Wennberg
ESE/ME/EST/Ec/ChE/EE 179. Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation.
3 units (3-0-0); second term, 2024-25.
Climate change has already begun to impact life on the planet, and will continue in the coming decades. This class will explore particular causes and impacts of climate change, technologies to mitigate or adapt to those impacts, and the economic and social costs associated with them - particular focus will be paid to distributional issues, environmental and racial justice and equity intersections. The course will consist of 3-4 topical modules, each focused on a specific impact or sector (e.g. the electricity or transportation sector, climate impacts of food and agriculture, increasing fires and floods). Each module will contain lectures/content on the associated climate science background, engineering/technological developments to combat the issue, and an exploration of the economics and the inequities that exacerbate the situation, followed by group discussion and synthesis of the different perspectives.
Instructors: Wennberg, Staff
Instructors: Wennberg, Staff
2023-24
ESE/Ge/Ch 171. Atmospheric Chemistry I.
9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2023-24.
Prerequisites: Ch 1 or equivalent.
A detailed course about chemical transformation in Earth's atmosphere. Kinetics, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics of gas-phase chemistry of the stratosphere and troposphere; sources, sinks, and lifetimes of trace atmospheric species; stratospheric ozone chemistry; oxidation mechanisms in the troposphere; aerosol chemistry.
Instructor: Wennberg
Instructor: Wennberg