Elective: Polar Meteorology

Type of lessons

a) Lecture

b) Project work

c) Seminar

Contact times

45 h

15 h

15 h

Self-study times

45 h

45 h

15 h

Intended group size
 

15

Aims of the module and acquired skills

• Understanding of the Arctic climate system and its complex processes within

• Understanding of the particular role of the Arctic for the whole Earth-atmophere system

•  Gaining insights into the challenges in observing and modeling the Arctic climate system

•  Ability to analyse and critically interpret measurements and model simulations regarding current Arctic research questions

•  Programming experience, presentation skills, team work in hands-on-training

Contents of the module

• Overview of the Arctic climate system

• Historical explorations in the Arctic

• Atmospheric energy budget and energy exchanges at the surface in the Arctic

• Atmospheric circulation in the Arctic

• Arctic boundary layer and turbulence

• Arctic water cycle

• Arctic amplification and feedback mechanisms

• Modeling of the Arctic climate system

• Observed and projected changes in the Arctic climate system

• Differences between Antarctic and Arctic

• Insights into Arctic campaign activities

• Hands-on training with measurements and model simulations in the Arctic

Teaching/Learning methods

Lectures and project work including measurements (in-situ/remote sensing) and model simulations in the Arctic: measurement principles, model set-up, interpretation and presentation of measurements and model results, statistical analysis of data. The results of the project work will be presented in the seminar.

Requirements for participation

• Formal: None
• With regards to content: Basics of mathematics, physics, experience in programming (mandatory)

Requisites for the allocation of credits
 

Successful participation in the seminar (ungraded) and passing the oral examination (graded) are prerequisites for the allocation of credits.

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).

Compatibility with other Curricula

Suitable as an elective course for mathematics, physics and geoscience students.

Module coordinator

K. Ebell

Teaching language: English

Additional literature: Serreze, M. C. and Barry, R. G., The Arctic Climate System, Cambridge University Press, 2014.