SDG Detail

EARTHSCI 261 : Climate and Society

Undergraduate course

Project description

The course explores the fundamentals of climate to understand the flows of energy and water through the atmosphere and ocean. Key themes in climatology, hydrology, and oceanography are explored with a focus on the nature and role of key environmental processes at various spatial and temporal scales. Course content will investigate: � The atmospheric processes responsible for local condensation, precipitation and evaporation. � Flows of energy in the atmospheric system (including the energy and radiation balances) and their importance for understanding weather and climate. � The role of climate and vegetation as drivers of hydrological change and variability. � Global scale flows of energy and water.

Year 2022

Location New Zealand

Organization University of Auckland

Project aims

Project outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Demonstrate substantive understanding of how climate, hydrology, vegetation, and oceanography are inter-related at different spatial and temporal scales. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) Describe and explain the key atmospheric processes that control important features of our weather and climate. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4) Describe key issues associated with climate measurement and simulation. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) Apply selected basic analytical techniques in each sub-discipline. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4) Explain the essentials of regional scale atmospheric processes on hydrology. (Capability 1, 4 and 5) Understand the processes that determine the flows of energy and water between the oceans and atmosphere. (Capability 1, 4, 5 and 6)