Duration
20h Th, 15h Pr, 2d FW
Number of credits
| Bachelor in geography : general | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in geography, global change, research focus | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The following topics are covered: analysis of tropospheric state variables and their vertical profiles, radiative phenomena, water phase changes, clouds and hydrometeors, local and general atmospheric circulation (wind components, tropical storms and cyclones, monsoons, trade winds, prevailing winds, regional winds, foehn effects. ...), synoptic weather types and their repercussions on the weather, climate anomalies and variability on large spatial scales (NAO, ENSO, AO, ...) and fine spatial scales (topoclimatology). The reading and analysis of maps and weather reports are taught from concrete cases chosen among past weather situations and even in real time on the WEB when the weather situation is particularly interesting. Finally, a work of data collection in the field during the course and analysis of real weather situations from these observation data is carried out in the framework of practical work.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and analyze the state of the atmosphere
- Understand the high spatial and temporal variability of variables and components of the troposphere as well as the climatic phenomena associated with atmospheric circulation
- understand the impact of a series of meteorological phenomena (El Nino/La Nina, NAO, meteorological equator, jet streams, polar fronts, subsidence, advections, disturbed depressions, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, ...) on the "day-to-day weather", on the seasons and on the fluctuations of the zonal and regional climates at the Earth's surface.
- read and interpret aerological soundings and synoptic maps
- collect, analyze and critique data obtained in the field
- Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basics of physic and mathematic are essential.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The practical work is organized according to the progress of the theoretical course and alternates with it. Part of the practical work takes place in the classroom and another part in the field (for data collection) and at home for data analysis.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
The course is given face-to-face in modules of two or three hours. The course is given at the Institute of Geography (Bat. B11) with the systematic support of an overhead projector and/or a multimedia projector.
Practical work is organized according to the progress of the course. A scientific calculator and a laptop computer are required for the practical sessions as well as for the theoretical lectures.
Attendance at the practical work is mandatory.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Course notes are made available to students chapter by chapter before each class and at the rate of progress. The same is true for the notes of the practical work. In addition, the booklet "Climatology and meteorology: the basics" by S. Doutreloup (2016) distributed free of charge in PDF format is highly recommended for reading.
Consultation of the following books, available in the library, is suggested to complete the information in the course notes:
- Les climats ( A. Godard and M. Tabeaud, Colin, 1993)
- General Meteorology ( J.P. Triplet and G. Roche, 1980)
- Atmosphere, Weather and Climate ( R.G. Barry and R.J. Chorley, 1992)
- Introduction to climatology (A. Hufty, DeBoeck, 2001)
- Fundamentals of meteorology (S. Malardel, MétéoFrance, Ed.Cépaduès, 2005)
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
- Remote
written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
Other : Oral presentation of a group work
Additional information:
Further explanation:
The theoretical and practical examination (analysis of a weather situation and questions about the group work) counts for 70% of the total evaluation if the student has > 5/10 at the oral exam. The (group) presentation of the data collected with probes during the course counts for 30% if the student has > 5/10 at the oral exam.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Dr. Sébastien Doutreloup
Dr. Xavier Fettweis
Department of Geography - Laboratory of Climatology
Web: http://www.climato.be/
Association of one or more MOOCs
The MOOC entitled 'Tout comprendre sur le climat et son réchauffement (S3)' is associated with this course.
Additional information:
https://www.fun-mooc.fr/fr/cours/tout-comprendre-sur-le-climat-et-son-rechauffement/