Intro to the Arctic from Coursera

In this course you will first learn about the Arctic as a geographic region, the peoples the Arctic, and the long history of Arctic settlement and exploration. Attention then turns to key features of the Arctic environment – its climate and weather, features of the ocean, sea ice, lands and the Greenland Ice Sheet, and some of the rapid changes being observed.

Learning Objectives: Appreciate the long history of the Arctic and its

peoples. Recognize and recall the physical geography of the Arctic, including

major features of the Arctic Ocean and Arctic lands. Describe the key climate and

environmental elements of the Arctic, including its sea ice cover, patterns of

temperature, precipitation, snow cover, land ice, permafrost and vegetation, the

physical processes giving rise to these features, and how they are changing.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Arctic

With so much going on in the Arctic, it can be a challenge to decide where to start. This week we provide an overview of the Arctic as a geographic region, followed by some of the pronounced changes unfolding in the North, such as rapid warming, the shrinking sea ice cover and thawing permafrost. History provides context. As such, we need to explore how we built our knowledge of the Arctic, starting with the sometimes tragic ends of early explorers searching for the fabled Northwest Passage, then moving through the Cold War and into the present.

Arctic Climate Basics

To understand the Arctic system and the profound changes taking place, we need to become familiar with some of the basic climate drivers and features of the region, starting with solar energy, polar night, and the midnight sun. Attention then turns to patterns of temperature, precipitation and cloudiness and how they vary across the Arctic.

The Arctic Ocean

A defining feature of the Arctic is that it is a largely ice-covered ocean surrounded by land. While by area, it is the smallest of the world's oceans, it is by far the most interesting of them all. This week, we focus on the Arctic Ocean starting with some basics - its shallow seas and deep basins, and then move on to discuss the Arctic Ocean's floating ice cover. As we will learn, the Arctic sea ice cover, which ranges from a thin veneer to more than five meters thick, grows and shrinks with the seasons. The ice cover is in near constant motion, with ice flows squeezing together to form pressure ridges and pulling apart to form leads. Unlike other oceans, the Arctic Ocean has an intriguing vertical structure, with fresh cold water at the top and warm salty water below.

The Arctic Lands

The Arctic lands are much more than treeless, windswept tundra. Greenland, the largest island in the world, is mostly covered by an ice sheet up to 3,200 meters thick. It is losing mass and contributing to sea level rise. While much of the Arctic lands are indeed covered by tundra, the Arctic is also home to large swaths of forest and extensive mountain ranges. Some very large rivers drain into the Arctic Ocean, discharging massive amounts of fresh water. Almost all of the Arctic lands are covered with perennially frozen ground called permafrost. However, this permafrost is now thawing, changing the landscape and putting infrastructure at risk.

The Arctic Atmosphere

While blizzards, whiteouts and extreme winter cold are a part of living in the Arctic, summer thunderstorms are common over land. Arctic weather is varied and fascinating, but the Arctic region plays a bigger role in the climate system by helping to shape weather patterns across the Northern Hemisphere. Arctic weather and climate is also shaped by teleconnections, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, that link weather conditions across widely separated locations. Another important framework for understanding the Arctic is its energy budget, which refers to the flows of energy into and out of the Arctic and between the atmospheric ocean.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Challenges the learner to connect contextually with the Arctic's peoples, history, and exploration

Introduces foundational climate and environmental concepts, enabling learners to understand the interconnectedness of Arctic systems

Delves into Arctic Ocean dynamics and features, fostering a deeper understanding of frozen water systems

Provides insights into terrestrial landscapes, broadening perspectives on the Arctic's diverse environments

Explores the Arctic's influence on weather patterns, highlighting the interconnectedness of global systems

Offers a comprehensive overview of Arctic physical geography, suitable for students seeking a foundational understanding

Reviews summary

Highly rated arctic course

Learners say this highly rated course is well taught and very interesting. They describe excellent professors who explain concepts clearly and concisely. Students appreciate the great lectures and engaging assignments. Although some find it repetitious, overall students say it's a great course that helps them learn a lot about the Arctic.

Instructors explain concepts well.

"Really excellent professor that explains concepts clearly and concisely without necessarily needed a lot of previous information in order to understand."

"Good overview, well taught but perhaps a wee bit repetitious"

Students find the content engaging and learn a lot.

"I learned a great deal about the Arctic and enjoyed the lectures."

"I am from Canada's Arctic and learned more about sea ice formation because I am from an area of freshwater. It was interesting to learn about ocean salinity, reading weather maps, and learning more about other areas of the Arctic like Russia and Norway."

Some students find the content to be repetitive.

"Good overview, well taught but perhaps a wee bit repetitious"

Career center

Learners who complete Intro to the Arctic will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Conservation Scientist

A Conservation Scientist conducts research to study the environment and determine how to protect it. Specialists in this role are charged with studying the impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and pollution on wildlife, plants, and ecosystems. Individuals seeking to enter this career path may find the course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements particularly relevant. Studying these elements can help build a foundation for a career that focuses on the impacts of human activity on the environment.

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Climatologist

A Climatologist conducts research that helps predict climate patterns. This professional studies past and current climate conditions in order to make predictions about future climate changes. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements may be useful in building a foundation for this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climatologist

Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist conducts research in order to provide scientific information for policy making related to air and water quality, hazardous waste management, and other environmental problems. Specialists in this role may also advise government agencies and private corporations on how to reduce their environmental impact. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements, as well as the impact of climate change on the Arctic, may be useful in building a foundation for this career.

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Oceanographer

An Oceanographer studies the oceans, including their physical properties, chemical composition, and marine life. Individuals in this role may work with ocean currents and temperatures, conduct marine life surveys, or assist in other ocean-related work. The course's focus on the Arctic Ocean may prove useful in building a foundation for this career path.

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Meteorologist

A Meteorologist analyzes weather patterns and uses specialized equipment to collect and analyze data on atmospheric conditions. This professional may make weather forecasts, issue severe weather warnings, and conduct research on weather-related phenomena. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and weather may be helpful for building a foundation for this career.

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Geoscientist

A Geoscientist studies the composition and structure of the Earth and its processes. Specialists in this role may focus on the study of rocks, minerals, fossils, and other geological features. Individuals interested in this role may find the course's focus on the Arctic's physical geography, including its lands and the Greenland Ice Sheet, useful in developing a foundation for this career path.

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Geographer

A Geographer studies the Earth's physical features, its climate, and its human and animal inhabitants. This professional may work in a variety of fields, including environmental protection, urban planning, and education. The course's focus on the Arctic's geographic region may prepare individuals for a career in this field.

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst

A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst creates and analyzes maps and other visual representations of geographic information. Specialists in this role may use GIS software to create maps and databases that can be used to analyze and solve real-world problems. The course's focus on the Arctic's geography, climate, and environmental elements may be useful in building a foundation for this career.

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Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant provides advice and services to organizations on how to comply with environmental regulations and reduce their environmental impact. This professional may also conduct environmental impact assessments and develop environmental management plans. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements may be helpful for building a foundation for this career.

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Environmental Educator

An Environmental Educator develops and delivers educational programs that teach people about the environment and environmental issues. Specialists in this role may work in schools, museums, nature centers, and other educational settings. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements, as well as the impact of climate change on the Arctic, may be useful in building a foundation for this career.

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Science Writer

A Science Writer communicates complex scientific information to a lay audience. This professional may write articles, books, and other materials that explain scientific concepts and discoveries. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements may be helpful for building a foundation for this career.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst conducts research and analyzes policy issues in order to inform policy decisions. This professional may work in a variety of fields, including environmental policy, energy policy, and health policy. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements, as well as the impact of climate change on the Arctic, may be useful in building a foundation for this career.

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Science Teacher

A Science Teacher teaches science to students in a variety of settings, including schools, museums, and nature centers. Specialists in this role may teach a variety of science subjects, including earth science, biology, and chemistry. The course's focus on the Arctic's climate and environmental elements may be helpful for building a foundation for this career.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for the care and management of museum collections. This professional may also develop and deliver educational programs that teach people about the museum's collection. The course's focus on the Arctic's history and culture may be helpful for building a foundation for this career.

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Historian

A Historian researches and writes about the past. This professional may work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, and libraries. The course's focus on the Arctic's history and culture may be helpful for building a foundation for this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian