Syllabus for Climate Variations

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• review how the climate can vary on time scales from years up to hundreds of million years (paleoclimatology),
• use basic knowledge in meteorology to understand climate variability and change,
• explain the methods used in paleoclimatology,
• review methods used to investigate/predict future climate.

Content

Introduction to the large-scale thermodynamics and dynamics of the climate system. Methods used in paleoclimatology such as analysis of ice cores, sediment samples and tree rings. Factors driving climate variability on multiple scales, such as orbital variations, plate tectonics, volcanic activity, greenhouse gases, climate modes of variability and feedbacks. Climate modelling and projections of future climates.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and project work.

Assessment

Written examination (4 credits). Project work (1 credit).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.