GV1C-Climatology

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Maria Shahgedanova
Email: m.shahgedanova@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module discusses fundamentals of atmosphere and climate providing foundation for all other modules addressing aspects of climate and climate change. The lectures and practicals explain the main processes of climate formation at local, regional and global scales with regard to energy balance and atmospheric circulation; the development of weather systems; and introduces the concept of climate change. The module incorporates two practicals. The first is a hands-on field-based practical session enabling students to learn about meteorological measurements and field data analysis. Students will visit the University of Reading Atmospheric Observatory and use a variety of instruments to take a range of meteorological measurements. The second practical is designed to learn how to obtain and analyse the freely-available global climate data and perform interactive analyses online. Although the module does not have any pre-requisites, it will require willingness to cope with GCSE maths andphysics and learning basic statistics.

Aims:

To explain the main processes of climate formation at local, regional and global scales; To introduce the concepts of radiation budget and energy balance and, using examples, explain how variations in radiation budget and energy balance affect climate at different temporal and spatial scales; To explain how pressure, temperature and wind regimes are formed; To discuss development of convection and precipitation; To explain the development of weather systems; To discuss global atmospheric circulation both in the middle latitudes and in the tropics; To examine impacts of climatic variability and climatic anomalies (e.g. North Atlantic Oscillation, El Nino Southern Oscillation) on weather and weather-dependent processes and systems; To introduce the concept of climate change and present evidence of past and projected climate change.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module it is expected that a student will be able to:

• Explain how climates and weather are formed


• Provide a reasoned account of weather and climates at different spatial scales - local, regional, and global


• Provide a reasoned account of impacts of weather and climate on natural and managed environments


• Gain knowledge of and experience of working with meteorological instruments (including aut omatic weather stations) and conducting meteorological observations


• Gain knowledge and experience of working with the global climate data sets available online

Additional outcomes:

Students will also develop their numerical, data presentation and IT skills through the completion of two practicals. Numeracy and data presentation skills will be developed through the evaluation of spatial data and time series via computer aided learning procedures. Students will develop skills in field work, use of manual and automated meteorological equipment, meteorological observations and data analysis through practical sessions. 

Outline content:

The Climatology lectures will focus upon the processes that result in the formation of different climates and weather phenomena. The topics covered will include atmospheric composition, the vertical structure of the atmosphere, solar and terrestrial radiation, radiation budget, energy balance, evapotranspiration and condensation, adiabatic process, convection and the development of convective storms, conservation of vorticity and momentum, general circulation of the atmosphere, monsoon, ENSO, the nature of mid-latitude depressions and weather patterns associated with them. The concept of climate change, both natural and anthropogenic, will be introduced. Although the module does not have any pre-requisites, it will require willingness to cope with GCSE maths andphysics.

Global context:

Atmospheric processes and land-atmosphere interactions are discussed with regards to different parts of the world from the polar regions to the tropics. Data from the recent and ongoing research projects in Europe and Asia are used to illustrate various concepts

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Sixteen hours of lectures and a practical; in-class tests.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Practicals classes and workshops	2
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Class test administered by School	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
There is no exam for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

 Two  in-class tests, based on lecture material, worth 20% each. Two in-class tests, based on lecture material and data generated by the students in the course of their practical work, worth 30% each. 

Formative assessment methods:

Four assignments will be submitted for Practical 1 and feedback given. These assignments will be used by the students in the tests. Help sessions will be given for the whole class clarifying the most difficult material, providing advice on coursework and feedback.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of coursework to a specified deadline.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2021