Course syllabus for Climate modelling

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-06 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameKlimatmodellering
  • CodeSEE110
  • Credits4 Credits
  • OwnerTKGBS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyGlobal systems
  • ThemeEnvironment 4 c
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 74118
  • Maximum participants70
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0121 Project 4 c
Grading: UG
4 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

The Earth system (SEE060) or equivalent

Aim

The course gives insights on how to simulate the climate system with climate modells and thus how to predict climate change. To understand both possibilities and limitations of simulations and the reliability of climate prognosis is one focus of the course. After finishing the course the students understand and can describe how the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) works. The students gain knowledge and tools to find, examine and discuss climate model data and different type of climate prognosis for their future job activities.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Explain the fundamental concepts of climate modelling, what climate models consist of and the difference between climate system, climate model, climate prognosis, climate projection, climate sensitivity and climate scenario
  • Summarize and reflect on the capabilities of climate models
  • Discuss the limits of climate models
  • Explain some examples of climate model data, analysis methods and tools (netCDF files, Jupyter Notebook, cdo)
  • Apply technical skills related to climate modelling to an exemplary problem
  • Find and evaluate literature
  • Describe a research project (report writing)

Content

The course consists of two parts:

A. Theoretical block with lectures:

• Aim and structure of different types of climate modells
• Characteristics and limitations of different types of climate modells
• Organisation and function of IPCC

B. Practical block with project work:

• Workshops on practical/technical aspects of climate modelling and scientific work
• Climate modelling project including a project report, a scientific presentation, a review and a reflection
• Critical analysis of the scientific results

Organisation

The course consists of lectures, workshops and an obligatory project.

Literature

Distributed material and web-resources. Published and presented in detail on the course web page.

Examination including compulsory elements

Examination based on project (passed report, presentation, peer-review and reflection) and quizzes (passed).

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.