Climate Analysis and Modelling

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

The subject runs in alternate years and will run in 2012 after not running in 2011.

The subjects below, or equivalent (can be taken concurrently).

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

The course introduces students to the philosophy and techniques of the quantitative analysis of weather and climate data, and modelling the large-scale atmospheric system. Among the topics to be covered are the maintenance of the general circulation of the atmosphere, a discussion of the global energy balance and momentum balance, and the role of baroclinic eddies and the meridional circulation. The subject will also cover the growth of error in numerical models and its implications for predictability and climate simulation, as well as an introduction to the structure of General Circulation Models (GCMs) and an appraisal of their simulations of climate. Other parts will include an examination of the philosophy of the design and implementation of climate sensitivity experiments with GCMs. Also covered will be an introduction to the statistical foundations for the analysis of observed and simulated data (including spectral methods, Principal Component Analysis, Monte-Carlo testing, non-parametric tests, trend analysis, the t-test). Other topics to be covered will include the climatology of ozone and the ozone hole, and the mechanics and variability of the ‘semi-annual oscillation’ and the ‘southern annular mode’ and the relevance of these to climate change.

The objectives of this subject are to provide students with:

• up to date knowledge of current research topics in climate analysis and modelling;
• experience in critical synthesis and assessment of the current literature;
• an appreciation of the strengths and limitations of different approaches to modelling complex data.

Written assignments totalling 3,000 words (70%) and a 15 minute presentation (30%). Assessment is due within six weeks of the completion of intensive lecture modules.

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students will have gained experience in:

• developing the ability to exercise critical judgement;
• rigorous and independent thinking;
• adopting a problem-solving approach to complex or ambiguous questions;
• high-level written report presentation skills;
• oral communication and presentation skills.