EAE3111 · Climate dynamics

Overview

This unit gives an introduction to the dynamics and processes that govern the large-scale physical climate system. The following questions are the main focus of this unit: What dynamics control the physical climate? How would the climate change if boundary conditions of the climate are changed? What are the characteristics and dynamics of natural climate variability? The unit will introduce you to the main concepts of the large-scale climate such as: the energy balances, the large-scale atmospheric and ocean circulations, the forces acting in the climate system. We will discuss some simple theoretical climate models, physical climate modelling on the more complex scales and important concepts for the physical climate and its variability from several month to the time scales of ice age cycles (many thousand years).

Areas of study: Climate and atmospheric science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Discuss the basic physical theory of the earth's energy balance and large-scale climate dynamics and how it can be constructed from basic principles using mathematical analysis and numerical modelling.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in using mathematical models and applications in atmospheric science and oceanography.
3. Demonstrate high-level knowledge and skills of the important techniques, terminology and processes of the large-scale physical climate, climate change and variability.
4. Develop, apply, integrate and generate knowledge to analyse and solve problems in physical climate dynamics.
5. Discuss the importance of the physical climate dynamics to climate change and variability.
6. Collect, organise, analyse and interpret quantitative information meaningfully, using mathematical and/or statistical tools as appropriate to physical climate dynamics, including numerical programming.
7. Explain climate dynamics concepts, processes and results to diverse audiences.

Workload

• One 2-hour laboratory class; • One 2-hour tutorials and • Seven hours of private study/research time per week

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.