Climate and the general circulation
The course gives a large-scale perspective on the climate system in terms of radiative balance and energy and momentum transport, and introduces important biogeochemical cycles; it further discusses mechanisms for natural climate variability and anthropogenically induced climate change, as well as the concepts of forcing, feedback and climate sensitivity.
The course offers the opportunity to, from the gained knowledge on climate and general circulation, discuss weather events and other topical issues, and gives practice in reading scientific literature and performing and presenting a small project.
The course has two parts, which together give a large-scale perspective on the climate system and general circulation.
The CLIM part deals with:
- The climate system (radiation balance, greenhouse effect, radiative-convective equilibrium, clouds and radiation, surface energy balance, hydrological cycle, carbon cycle).
- General circulation (meridional energy transport, momentum balance, climate types in relation to general circulation, ocean circulation, stratospheric circulation, natural climate variability).
- Climate change (radiative forcing, feedbacks and climate sensitivity, climate models, future projections and human influence on climate).
The PROJ part of the course consists of a project, where the climate of a chosen region is studied and discussed in relation to the general circulation.
Teaching Format
The course is based on lectures, calculation exercises, and project work. The calculation exercises includes basic training in Python programming. For the project part, course participants work in groups (pairs) on investigating the climate of a chosen geographical region, and relating it to the general circulation. The work is presented in a written report (individually) and an oral presentation (in groups/pairs).
Course materials
Grading criteria, course literature and other material and correspondence related to the course will be available on the course Athena site once you have registered for the course.
Assessment
- A written exam is given on the CLIM part.
- The PROJ part is examined through written report and oral presentation.
