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Faculty of Mathematics and Natural SciencesInstitute of Geophysics and Meteorology

MN-GM-METCLIMATE

Compulsory for main focus meteorology: Physical Climatology
Identification number
MN-GM-
METCLIMATE		Workload

180 h		Credits

6 		Term of studying
1. -3. Semester		Frequency of
occurrence
Summer term
Duration

1 semester
1 Type of lessons
a) Lectures
b) Exercise 		Contact times
30 h
30 h		Self-study times
60 h
60 h		Intended group size
15
2

Aims of the module and acquired skills

Understanding of global climate system, processes and interactions; Correct interpretation of climate observations and simulations; Overview of climate modeling and analysis.

3 Contents of the module
  • Climate as a dynamic system
  • Atmospheric general circulation
  • Global energy, water and carbon cycles
  • Ocean dynamics and circulation
  • Atmosphere – ocean interactions
  • Atmosphere – land and ice interactions
  • Regional and global reanalysis with examples from the HErZ project
  • Large-scale interactive climate systems
  • Introduction to global climate models
  • Climate scenarios and projections
4 Teaching/Learning methods

Lectures and tutorials (compulsory attendance in tutorial)
5 Requirements for participation

Formal: None.

Bachelor level meteorology, mathematics and scientific programming.
6

Type of module examinations

Written Examination (graded)

7 Requisites for the allocation of credits

Successful participation in the exercises (50 % of the possible points have to be obtained) and passing of the examination.

At the end of the semester or the beginning of the following semester a possibility to repeat the examination is offered. A failed examination may be repeated twice. Additional possibilities to repeat an examination exist according to the examination regulations (§ 20 section 1).

Assessments which have been passed are not allowed to be taken again, with one exception: If at the end of a module which consists of a lecture and tutorial classes, the student takes the assessment at the first available date after having received admission to the module exam, he/she is then allowed to take the examination again at the next available date for the purpose of improving the grade, even if he/she passed the assessment the first time – in this case, the better of the two grades will count towards the final degree grade (§ 20 section 9).

The module mark is the grade obtained in the assessment. In the case of two passed assessments the module mark is the better grade
8 Compatibility with other Curricula
  • Other modules of equal value can be admitted and announced by the examination board after agreement.
  • Suitable as an elective course for mathematics, physics and geoscience students
9 Significance of the module mark for the overall grade

6/120
10 Module coordinator

Y. Shao, F. Steffany
11 Additional information

Recommended Literature:

Trenberth KE 2010: Climate system modeling. ISBN-10: 0521128374
Peixoto JP and AH Oort 2007: Physics of Climate. ISBN-10: 0883187124
Grotjahn R 2004: Global Atmospheric Circulation: Observations and Theories. ISBN-10: 019517481X
Robinson W 2001: Modeling Dynamic Climate Systems. ISBN-10: 0387951342
Lau K-M and D Waliser 2012: Intraseasonal Variability in the Atmosphere-Ocean Climate System. ISBN-10: 3642139132.
Robinson, W., Modeling Dynamic Climate Systems, 2001.
Lau, K.-M. and D. Waliser, Intraseasonal Variability in the Atmosphere-Ocean Climate System, 2012.
Rayner, J.N., Dynamic Climatology: Basis in Mathematics and Physics, 2000.