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Course GEOF212

Physical Climatology

Course offered :

Number of credits 10
Course offered (semester) Autumn
Schedule Schedule
Reading list Reading list

Language of Instruction

English

Pre-requirements

Principles of meteorology and/or oceanogarphy in addition to basic knowledge in maths and physics (mechanics).

Learning Outcomes

After completing GEOF212 the student will be able to:

- define and explain central concepts in physical climatology

- explain the global energy budget

- explain the fundamental physical mechanisms behind large scale climate variability

- perform calculations of the earth´s sensitivity to external forcings such as from the Sun, volcanoes and changes in greenhouse gasses

- explain the main feedback mechanisms in the climate system

Contact Information

studierettleiar@gfi.uib.no

Course offered (semester)

Autumn

Language of Instruction

English

Aim and Content

The course gives an introduction to physical climatology in order to better understand climate variations in the past, present, and future. Focus is on the physical principles governing the global energy budget, the role of the circulation of the atmosphere and oceans, and interactions between the different components of the climate system. The course will investigate the physical mechanisms important for climate related to changes in land surface properties (ice, snow, vegetation, etc), atmospheric composition (gas and particles), clouds or orbital parameters. In addition, different methods for investigating natural climate variability and possible effects of anthropogenic climate change will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

After completing GEOF212 the student will be able to:

- define and explain central concepts in physical climatology

- explain the global energy budget

- explain the fundamental physical mechanisms behind large scale climate variability

- perform calculations of the earth´s sensitivity to external forcings such as from the Sun, volcanoes and changes in greenhouse gasses

- explain the main feedback mechanisms in the climate system

Pre-requirements

Principles of meteorology and/or oceanogarphy in addition to basic knowledge in maths and physics (mechanics).

Recommended previous knowledge

Good knowledge in dynamics, meteorology and oceanography, in addition to basic knowledge in maths and physics.

Assessment methods

Project thesis; counts 20% of the final grade. Finalexam, written, 4 hours; counts 80% of the final grade and must be passed. Grades in letters (A-F). If less than 10 candidates, the exam might be oral.

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Contact Information

studierettleiar@gfi.uib.no