This course provides the participants with an overview of scientific principles and concepts that shape our increasingly dangerous world. The contents of the course include the following:

• Introduction to Science of Disaster provides a definition and benefits of science.
• Earth Science describes how the Earth's design sets the stage for the world's natural hazards including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and landslides/sinkholes.
• Climatology describes the scientific basis of common atmospheric hazards including convective storms, tropical cyclones, and other hazardous weather.
• Chemical and biological basics identifies the scientific basis of chemical and biological threats.
• Explosive, radiological, and nuclear fundamentals identifies the scientific basis of those threats.

Selection Criteria: This course is intended for newly appointed emergency managers from Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management agencies, and prospective professionals transferring from another discipline to emergency management.