EAS 506: The Climate System - Processes and Feedbacks
Course Title |
The Climate System - Processes and Feedbacks |
Course Code |
EAS 506 |
Course Type |
Elective |
Level |
PhD |
Instructor’s Name |
Panos Hadjinicolaou |
ECTS |
10 |
Lectures / week |
1 (2.5h) |
Laboratories / week |
- |
Course Purpose and Objectives |
This course provides an overview of the physical processes within and between major Earth System components (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere) influencing global climate development. It particularly focuses on feedbacks and their underlying causes and mechanisms (e.g. composition, radiation, clouds, aerosols, water vapor, land-air exchange). Emphasis is also given to suitable numerical models and measurement techniques describing and monitoring such feedbacks and an assessment of their general capabilities/limitations. |
Learning Outcomes |
List and describe the observed mean state of the main components of the climate Understand their key mechanisms involving heat, radiation, moisture and momentum exchange among the different parts of the climate system Derive numerically the climate sensitivity and recognise several climate feedbacks Describe the other elements of the climate system such as ocean, land, hydrosphere Distinguish between natural and anthropogenic climate change and place them in historical and paleoclimatic context |
Prerequisites |
EAS 503 |
Background Requirements |
- |
Course Content |
Introduction to the global system The elements of the Earth system and their basic characteristics Feedback and interrelationships between Earth system components and their assessment Towards an “Earth System Model” |
Teaching Methodology |
Textbook and Review Journal Paper reading. Case studies. . |
Bibliography |
Hartmann D.L., Global Physical Climatology, 2nd Edition, 2016, Elsevier, 498 pp. (supplementary textbook). |
Assessment |
Home assignment project |
Language |
English |