Climatology

Code:

CAMB2002

Acronym:

CAMB2002

Level:

200

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Environmental Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Environmental Sciences and Technology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:CTA	31	Plano estudos a partir do ano letivo 2016/17	2	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This course aims to describe the climate system analyzing the interactions between its constituent parts and the resulting meteorological and climate phenomena with environmental relevance.

Learning outcomes and competences

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

 
- describe the constitution of the terrestrial climate system;

- understand the interactions between the different components of the climate system;

- understand climate modulation factors;

- understand the basic physical principles of the most common meteorological phenomena;

- understand the most common methods and technologies for measuring meteorological variables;

- describe global atmospheric circulation patterns and their relationship to large climate zones;

- understand the important role of solar radiation and terrestrial infrared radiation in the terrestrial radiative balance;

- understand the greenhouse effect, its natural and anthropogenic causes and consequences for global warming;

- understand the difference between variability and climate change;

- formulate simple models of the global Earth climate and to calculate the effective average temperatures of the terrestrial surface and atmosphere for different values of the model’s parameters;

- describe and analyze climate feedback cycles;

- understand Earth’s paleoclimate record and its possible causes;

- analyze the consequences of global warming and describe the necessary preventive and mitigation measures.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Mathematics: basics of algebra, trigonometry, differential and integral calculus.

Physics: basic notions of vector calculus, kinematics, dynamics, hydrostatics and thermodynamics.

Program

1. Atmosphere and the Climate System.
   Climatic System; Origin and evolution of the atmosphere; Composition of the Atmosphere; Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere; Earth's Atmosphere (main characteristics; standard atmosphere; meteorologic variables.)
2. Radiation
   Energy in the atmosphere; average anual radiation balance of Earth and greenhouse efect; solar radiation and the Black Body radiation approximation; Earth's radiation; Seasons of the year.
3. Thermodynamic and physical properties of air in atmosphere.
   Ideal gases (dry air and humid air); water vapous in the atmosphere; Humid air in the atmosphere; Adiabatic processes in the atmosphere; Hydrostatic pressure.
4. Clouds and Meteors
   Formation and classification of clouds; Meteors; Fog; Precipitation; thunderstorms
5. Meteorologic elements and their observation.
   Surface observations; aerological observations; Remote Sensing.
6. Atmospheric motions
   Horizontal motions in the atmosphere; (e-g- geostrophic wind); Global atmospheric circulation; Regional and Local circulations
7. Synoptic Meteorology
   Air masses; Frontal systems; High and Low pressure systems; 
8. Cliamte and climate variability.
   Temporal scales of climate; climatological normals; Global and Local Climate (climatic classification of Koppen-Geiger); climatic variability; Climate Change.
9. Climate change
   Climate change versus climate variability; Climate modulation factors; Milankovitch theory; Global warming; Earth’s paleoclimate record; Anthropogenic contribution; Future climate scenarios; Measures to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change

Mandatory literature

Pedro M. A. Miranda; Meteorologia e Ambiente, Fundamentos de meteorologia, clima e ambiente atmosférico, Universidade Aberta, 2001. ISBN: 9789726746553

Complementary Bibliography

Peixoto José P.; Physics of climate

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures to teach syllabus contents and problem solving classes and study visit.

Didactic contents, including solutions of proposed problems, are available in Moodle e-learning platform.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The rules established by FCUP’s Pedagogical Council apply to attending problem solving classes. The attendance to lecture classes is optional.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade = Exam grade

Observations

Lecture classes will be held in person and the seminar classes in person.

The marking system will be by a final exame.