Global Changes and Climatology

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in Geology, Biology, Chenistry, Physics and  Mathematics.

Teaching Methods

Lectures: Detailed presentation of concepts about the different systems of the Earth, their interactions and about the climatic system;

Practical classes: where students, working in groups, develop problem resolving reports and analyze several case studies.

Field trip in the Coimbra region in order to observe the geological record of one of the most important anoxic events in the whole history of Earth, with great impacts in the interaction between the lithosphere, atmosphere, oceans and biosphere.

Learning Outcomes

The main goal is to characterize the climatic system of the Earth, in terms of the different parameters, processes and functioning, as well to inform the changes occurred in the Earth system, natural or anthropogenic, and habilitate the student to interpret them scientifically. Particular attention will be done to the modern environmental problems such as the global warming.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Global change and Earth history; 2. Global energy balance: the greenhouse effect; 3. The atmospheric circulation system; 4. The circulation of the oceans; 5. Climates of the Earth; 6. The carbon cycle; 7. Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes; 8. Pleistocene and Holocene climatic changes; 9. Global warming and anthropogenic effect.

Head Lecturer(s)

Eric Claude Font

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 15.0%
Resolution Problems: 20.0%
Exam: 65.0%

Bibliography

Bibliografia Básica

Kump, L. R., Kasting, J. F. & Crane, R. J. (2004) - The Earth System Prientice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, 2.ª edição, 419 p..

Ruddiman, W.F. (2001) – Earth’s Climate. Past and future.  W.H. Freemanand Company, New York,  465p..

 

Bibliografia Complementar

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – Climate Change – The scientific basis. Edição de 2014.

Artigos específicos fornecidos pelo docente.

Apontamentos coligidos pelo docente.