Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate

Recommended Prerequisites

Hydraulics I and Hydraulics II.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes with detailed exposition, using audiovisual media, of the fundamental concepts, principles and theories and with the resolution of some practical exercises illustrating the application of the introduced theoretical concepts. Autonomous resolution of exercises in which it is intended that students, with the guidance of the teacher, solve problems of theoretical and practical application. A laboratory class with observation of linear and non-linear waves.

Learning Outcomes

The general objective is to provide students with solid knowledge of the fundamentals of the Climate Change area, aiming to standardize the basic training required for subsequent subjects of the course. Specifically, it is intended that students acquire and consolidate knowledge about the complex circulation systems in the atmosphere and oceans that determine the climate.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

MODULE A - BASIC THERMODYNAMIC CONCEPTS (Curry and Webster)

1 - Composition, structures and state

2 - First and second law of thermodynamics

3 - Transfer processes

4 - Thermodynamics of water

 

MODULE B – OCEANOGRAPHY (Pinet + Waves references)

1 - The properties of the seawater

2 - Wind and ocean circulation

3 - Waves in the ocean

4 - Tides

5 - Marine ecology

 

MODULE C – WIND (Cook)

1 – Introduction to wind engineering

2 – Wind climates

3 – The atmospheric boundary layer

 

MODULE D – CLIMATE (Beniston)

1 – The climatic system

2 – Natural forcing of the climatic system

3 – Anthropogenic forcing of the climatic system

4 – Climate modelling and observation

5 – Climate change (Beniston / Cowie / IPCC)

6 – Risks and impacts (Cowie)

7 – Human ecology of climate change and sustainability (Cowie).

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Judith Curry & Peter Webster, Thermodynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans, Academic Press, 1998

 Paul R. Pinet, Invitation to Oceanography, Jones & Bartlett Learning, 8th edition, 2019

 Nicholas J. Cook, Wind Engineering, Thomas Telford, 1993

 Martin Beniston, Climate Change and its Impacts, Springer, 2004

 Joseph Pedlosky, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Springer-Verlag, 1987.