The Climate System - 2019 entry

This module is designed to give you an overview of the key physical processes determining the behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere. An informative subtitle might be climate physics for the mathematically literate. Topics covered will include radiative energy transfer, the structure, motion and thermodynamics of the atmosphere, the surface energy balance, and the main components of the general circulation (Hadley cells, Walker cells, jet streams etc.). The emphasis, where possible, will be on simple analytical models for commonly observed phenomena and on the development of physical intuition.

Pre-requisite module: MTH3007 Fluid Dynamics, or equivalent

By the end of this module, you will have an understanding of the basic physics of the Earth’s climate, and will comprehend the principle circulations in the atmosphere and the ocean.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Comprehend the physics responsible for the general circulation;

2 Understand in detail radiation, dynamics and atmospheric thermodynamics;

3 Demonstrate a familiarity with the terminology and physical mechanisms of common meteorological phenomena;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4 Apply previously acquired mathematical techniques to the climate system;

5 Appreciate the utility of simple models and nondimensionalisation;

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

6 Apply mathematical skills to the atmospheric sciences.

- Motivation: the observed state of the atmosphere;

- Planetary scale energy balance, equator-to-pole heat transport;

- Surface energy balance (short- and long-wave radiation, sensible and latent heat);

- Vertical structure and thermodynamics of the atmosphere (dry and moist);

- Atmospheric dynamics: convection, rotation, instability and waves.

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 50% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module: