6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
The unit provides the opportunity for students to understand the weather and climate of the atmosphere and oceans. Topics discussed include: the characteristics of the atmosphere, radiation and the global energy balance, the greenhouse effect and climate change, the global wind distribution, Hadley circulation, mid-latitude westerlies, global heat balance, geostrophic wind, thermal wind, the oceans circulation and causes and characteristics of climate variability from seasons to ice ages.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- 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.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in using mathematical models and applications in atmospheric science and oceanography.
- Demonstrate high-level knowledge and skills of the important techniques, terminology and processes of the large-scale physical climate, climate change and variability.
- Develop, apply, integrate and generate knowledge to analyse and solve problems in physical climate dynamics.
- Discuss the importance of the physical climate dynamics to climate change and variability.
- Collect, organise, analyse and interpret quantitative information meaningfully, using mathematical and/or statistical tools as appropriate to physical climate dynamics, including numerical programming.
- Explain climate dynamics concepts, processes and results to diverse audiences.
Assessment
Examination (2 hours): 60%
Assignments and tests and support-class activities: 40%
Workload requirements
Three 1-hour lectures and 2 hours of support classes per week (average)
See also Unit timetable information