Climate Variations
5 credits
Syllabus, Master's level, 1ME404
A revised version of the syllabus is available.
- Code
- 1ME404
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Earth Science A1N, Physics A1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 26 April 2013
- Responsible department
- Department of Earth Sciences
Entry requirements
120 credits with 90 credits in physics, earth science or biology.
Learning outcomes
After the course the student should be able to
- describe how the climate can vary on a time scale from 10 year up to hundreds of million years (paleoclimatology)
- use basic knowledge in meteorology to understand climate
- describe the methods used in paleoclimatology, climate indicators, dating methods and climate factors
- describe the difference between a climate fluctuation and climate change
- describe methods used to investigate / predict future climate
Content
Climatic variations: ice cores, sediment samples, tree ring analysis, pollen analysis, propagation of plants and animals, oxygen isotope analysis, carbon-14 method, sea ice extent, glaciers, water level in the sewage from some lakes. Climatic factors: the Earth's orbital elements, continental drift, ocean currents, volcanic activity, mountain fold, greenhouse gases, solar activity, clouds, global dimming (dust). Climate modelling, the IPCC, negative and positive feedback mechanisms.
Instruction
Lectures and seminaries
Assessment
Written examination