72608 - Climatology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the lecturing period students are acquainted with the fundamental processes regulating the Earth climate, as well as the spatio-temporal variability arising from the reciprocal interactions among the main sub-systems (litosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere), composing the overall Earth system. The students acquire knowledge beyond the "natural" climate dynamics by analysing the interactions between the Earth climate system and the so-called "anthroposphere", with particular reference to the climate global variations induced by the anthropogenic pressure. Finally students are introduces to numerical climate models and to analysis and interpretation of climate simulations.

Course contents

• Introducing the climate concept and the Earth climatic system.
• The "Earth System"
• The Earth Energy budget
• Climatic feedbacks
• The Earth climatic history
• The future climate

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes (powerpoint slides) and material provided by the teacher

Assessment methods

The assessment will be carried out by an oral exam: It is expected that the student discusses 3-4 topics from the couse syllabus.The first topic will be chosen by the student. The final score will be based on the student ability to approach in a formal way the problem treated.

Teaching tools

Lecturing with powerpoint slides

Office hours

See the website of Marco Zavatarelli