Entry requirements

120 credits with 90 credits in physics, earth science or biology.

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
• describe 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 and seminaries.

Assessment

Written examination.

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.