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Syllabus
MET 4310: Climatology
Spring, 2005
I. Instructor: Dr. Tom Belanger, Link Bldg. Room 201, e-mail: [email protected],
phone: 674-7463
II. Text: P.J. Robinson and A Hendersen-Sellers, Contemporary Climatology. 2nd ed.
1999
III. Other Suggested References:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
J.M. Nese and L.M. Grenci. A World of Weather. Kendall/Hunt. 1998.
W.J. Burroughs. The Climate Revealed. Cambridge Univ. Press. 1999.
D.L. Hartmann. Global Physical Climatology. Academic Press. 1994.
Mackenzie and Mackenzie. Our Changing Planet. Prentice Hall. 1995.
Turekion. Global Environmental Change. Prentice Hall. 1995.
E. Bryant. Climate Process and Change. 1997.
IV. Objectives: To present an overview of climatology by reviewing:
1) The major climatic processes and interconnected elements that determine the
earth’s climate.
2) Global, regional and local climates and classification systems.
3) The nature, causes and consequences of climate change, including future
predictions and implications.
4) Areas where further research is needed.
V. Grading:
1) Paper and Presentation
2) Current Literature Review
3) Three (3) Exams
20%
5%
75% (25% each)
1) Paper and Presentation
A 4-10 page paper on any aspect of climatology of interest to the student (check
with instructor on topic). Note: The paper must include at least four different
references. Students will orally summarize the paper to the class (10-15 min.).
2) Current Literature Review
Every two weeks (Thursday) we will take 20-30 minutes to discuss recent
magazine, newspaper, Internet, etc. articles on any aspect of climatology. I will
call on students to briefly summarize their articles in class. Copies of the articles
will be collected at the end of class.
3) Exams
Each exam format will be discussed prior to the exam. The third exam will not be
cumulative.
VI. Course Outline:
Topic
Chapter Assignment
Introduction; What is Climatology?
Scope and Controls of Climate
The Earth’s Radiation Budget
Energy and Temperature
Fundamental Climatic Processes and Controls
Solar Radiation
Atmospheric Moisture and Circulation
Clouds
Precipitation
Water Cycle and Biosphere
Winds and Pressure
Atmospheric Electricity
Gaia Principle
Oceans and Currents
Other Impacts (e.g. sunspot cycles, volcanoes, asteroids etc.)
Methods to Record Climate and Analyze Data
Exam I
1
1
2 (2)
3 (3)
Global and Regional Climatic Zones and Classification
Tropical Climates
Mid-Latitude Climates (Temperate Regions)
Polar Climates
Mediterranean Region
Other Areas
Small Scale and Local Climates
Extreme Events (e.g. Hurricanes, avalanches, tornadoes, monsoons)
History and Evolution of the Earth’s Climate
Climates of the Past
Exam II
(8)
8
9
10
(10) (11)
12
12
Human Interaction With Climate
Impact of Climate on Humans
Anthropogenic and Biological Impacts on Climate
11
11
11 (14)
2 (2)
4 7 (5) (7) (8)
4 (5) (6)
5 (5) (9)
6 (4) (6) (8)
7
1 (1)
Climate Change and the Future
Climate Prediction------Next 100 Years
Potential Consequences of Climate Variability in the U.S.
Modeling Climate
Paper Presentations
Exam III (Final Exam)
() = A World of Weather
14
14
13