GENERAL OUTLINE  

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Course Outline

This course is an introduction to the physical processes creating and controlling climate and climate change.  The aim is to understand the way in which the greenhouse effect, atmospheric pollution and changes to the earths surface, from both natural and human causes, interact to create climate changes on global and local scales.  The role of feedbacks within the system, and the possibility that there are also tipping points leading to very rapid and large climate changes, will also be considered.  The core approach will be to explore the nature and function of the atmospheric and surface energy and water balances on various scales.  We will also consider some aspects of climate models and their role in revealing the impacts of both human and natural activities on climate.  Laboratory sessions, run on a team basis, will explore the nature of recent climate change using observational data. The course will be a mix of lectures, readings and laboratory  experiments. 

Approach

The fundamental science for each topic will be considered in lectures and through selected readings, as given in the "General Schedule" above.  The reading assignments will be posted as appropriate. 

The lectures will emphasize the physical principles as they apply anywhere on earth.  Laboratory work will consider the application of these principles on a local scale, with particular emphasis on the southeast United States.  

Although there are no specifically scheduled "Laboratory" Sessions (this is a 3 credit course), some class time each week will be set aside for this, which will also lead directly to the development of a Term Paper..

Laboratories and Term Papers

The class will be split into (5) teams of 5 people each.  Each team will select a location in the United States (in conjunction with the Instructor), obtain observational data for the last few decades for that location and work together to analyze those observations.  The fundamental question is "Is the climate changing at this location: How and Why?"

Data will be provided by the SERCC - passwords to allow full data access will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Throughout, there will be two concerns: (1) "Is the climate changing, and if so how. i.e. what are the actual trends or variations  (2) using the material from the lectures and literature, what might be causing these trends/variations (or lack of them).

Each member of the team should select one particular aspect of climate for detailed analysis and write an individual report on that aspect.  Again, there must be 2 aspects (1) what are the changes; (2) why might they be occurring. (Links with the findings of team colleagues is encouraged, but the material obtained by that colleague should not be repeated).

Team members are expected to work together to share ideas and information about climate, climate change and analysis techniques.  Towards the end of the semester each team will present their findings to the rest of the class.  The term paper is an individual effort based on each individuals contribution to the team effort.. 

Text

There is no printed text.  Web based material will be used throughout.  A major source will be the Fourth Assessment Report of Working Group 1 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The web reference is given in the General Syllabus above.  Other sources will be indicated in class.

Prerequisites

It is assumed that all participants have had an introductory atmospheric science course (such as  GEOG 111 or ENST 202)

Course Grading

Mid-term Exams (2 @  15%)

There will be two mid-term exams, as indicated in the Schedule. Approximately one week prior to each exam a series of questions will be distributed.  Immediately prior to the examination certain of these will be selected for response.

Final  Exam (30%)

This will be a comprehensive examination of the physical basis of climate change and  the links with the current climate trends and variability. It will be organized in the same way as the Mid-term exams.

Class Participation and Team Presentation (10%)

Active participation in class and laboratory is expected   (whether questions during a formal lecture, contributions to discussions, or activities during the laboratory periods).

.Each team will have part of a class period to present the results of their laboratory efforts, and each member of the team must present a part of this.  Adequate participation in the team and this presentation qualifies the individual for an automatic 5% of the semester grade.  As part of the presentation, questions from the audience are encouraged.

Term Paper (30%)

This is a write-up of the team effort, but written by the individual student, and should focus on a particular aspect of the climate and climate change of the team's chosen location.