Lesson Structure:Climate Science  BSB208

There are 8 lessons:

1.  Nature and Scope of Climatology

• Introduction
• Understanding how climate and weather affects us
• What makes up weather?
• How do we measure weather?

  2.  Weather Science Foundations

• Solar Radiation
• Temperature
• Precipitation
• Deposition
• Humidity
• Clouds

3. Circulation Patterns

• Pressure Systems
• Atmospheric Pressure
• Pressure and Temperature
• Latitudinal Circulation
• Air masses
• Wind
• Trade Wind
• The Beaufort Scale of Wind Speed
• Frontal Systems
• Oceanic circulation
• Longitutinal Circulation
• Southern Oscillation
• Ocean Gyres

  4.  Climate Classifications & Patterns

• Types of Climates
• Arid or Desert
• Subtropical
• Tropical
• Temperate
• Mediterranean
• Coastal
• Factors Which Influence Climate
• Latitude
• Wind Direction
• Topography
• Altitude
• Aspect
• Geographical Location
• Climates Classification Models
• Koppen Climate Classification
• Thornwaite Climatic Classification System
• Bergeron Climatic Classification System
• Spatial Synpotic Classification (SSC)
• Other Global Classification Systems
• Holdridge Life Zone System

 5.   Atmospheric Dynamics

• Introduction to Atmosphere Composition
• Purpose of the Atmosphere
• Seasonal Variations
• Vertical Structure of Atmosphere
• Precipitation
• Precipitation Processes and Other Events
• Cloud Dynamics
• Storms
• Thunderstorms
• Cyclones, Typhoons and Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• METAR Codes for Precipitation Processes
• Aerosols and Climate Processes
• Indirect Effects of Aerosols

  6.   Climate Changes

• Factors that Cause or Influence Climate Change
• Natural Causes
• The Sun
• Earth’s Orbit
• Earth’s Axis
• Oceanic Circulation
• Oceanic Carbon Dioxide
• Magnetic Field
• Plate Tectonics
• Volcanic Activities
• Asteroids, Comets or Meteorite Impact
• Manmade Causes or Anthropogenic Influences
• Fossil Fuels
• Agriculture
• Deforestation
• Nitrous Oxide
• Other Pollution
• Different Types of Climate Change Events
• Glaciation and Ice Loss
• Flora and Fauna
• Ocean Warming and Sea Levels
• Permafrost
• Extreme Weather Events
• zone Depletion
• Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect

7. Applications of Climate Science

• Evolution of Methods and Techniques of Weather Forecasting
• Early Methods & Simple Techniques
• Modern Forecasting Approaches
• Synoptic (Traditional) Forecasting
• Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
• Statistical Methods
• Long and Short Range Forecasting
• Understanding Forecasting Models
• Simple Models
• Tropical Cyclone Forecast Model
• General Circulation MOdel (GCM)
• Regional Climate Modelling
• Collection and Applications of Weather and Climate Data
• Weather Mapping
• Satellite
• Radar
• Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)
• Verification Methods
• Methods of Standard Verification

  8.  Climatology Problem Based Learning Project

• Management Processes
• Planning
• Organising
• Leading
• Controlling
• Business Plans – Preparing a Plan
• Decision Making
• What to Plan for
• Risk
• Risk Analysis
• Ways to Manage Risk
• PROJECT PLAN

Please Note:  Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the academy’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Please see lesson titles for your learning goals.

Solar Radiation and How It Works!

Approximately 99.8% of solar radiation is input into the earth. This energy may be absorbed, reflected and/or transmitted by the object struck. Every object or surface absorbs or reflects heat in diverse ways – lighter colours reflect more heat, and darker colours absorb more heat.

As the solar radiation passes through the atmosphere, part of it is absorbed by the atmospheric gases, such as the ozone, water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO2). Another part of it is reflected back into the universe by the clouds.

Some of the heat is dispersed in many directions by the reflection caused by tiny particles present in the air (e.g. gas molecules in the atmosphere, dust, etc.).

In terms of spectral density (wavelengths), these rays start off as short wave radiations, also known as UV (ultraviolet rays), which, after passing through the atmosphere, are absorbed by the earth’s surface causing a heated radiation that warms up the air, and these are now long wave radiations, also known as IR (infrared rays).

Different parts of the earth receive a different intensity of radiation due to the earth’s spherical shape. One specific part of the surface of the earth receives solar radiation at a ‘right angle’ (90o), which is when the sun is at its closest point to the object (above head); when the sun is at this angle it is also referred to as ‘zenith’.

When the sun is at its longest distance with the point or object, then it is said that the sun is in the ‘horizon’.

At night there is no more solar radiation coming in, however, the outgoing radiation continues, which means there is a loss of energy from the earth back into space rather than the gain of energy that occurs during the day.

With regards to day/night radiation, as well as the position of the sun in relation to the earth, we can say that in equatorial regions there is a net gain of energy from radiation, whereas in the Polar Regions there is a net loss of energy from radiation.

However, because the universe is always searching for balance, the excess energy or heat (warm air) in the equator is transferred and replaced by cool air through a process called ‘advection’.

The temperature in this area cools down, while the temperature in the Polar Regions warm up.

The effect of the solar radiation that is absorbed will undoubtedly depend on the depth the heat travels through the substance or surface it is hitting, as well as the ‘heat capacity’ (i.e. the amount of heat required to change a mass unit of a substance by 1oC) each particular substance has.

In other words, if the heat capacity (or specific heat) of a substance is low, then that means there is less energy required to raise the temperature of one unit of mass.

For example: sand is a poor heat conductor with low specific heat, therefore, it will receive some solar radiation. However, this will vary from object to object because darker sand will absorb more heat than lightly coloured sand.

Another example can be explained with snow, which is capable of lasting longer periods of sunny weather due to the fact that it has a low absorption rate of solar radiation.

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Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

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Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
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Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

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A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.