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.

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. Modeling the atmosphere-ocean system; 6.Climates of the Earth; 7. The carbon cycle; 8. Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes; 9. Pleistocene and Holocene climatic changes; 10. Global warming and anthropogenic effect.

Head Lecturer(s)

Luís Vítor da Fonseca Pinto Duarte

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 15.0%
Synthesis work: 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.

Complementar:

- Godinho, M. M. (2004) – Isótopos estáveis em mudanças globais – uma introdução.  Texto policopiado, Dep. Ciências da Terra da FCTUC, 52 p.

- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – Climate Change – The scientific basis. Edição de 2006.

- Apontamentos coligidos pelo docente.