Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title CLIMATE, ATMOSPHERE AND OCEANS
Code ENVS111
Coordinator Prof RG Williams
Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
Ric@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2020-21 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

Introduce the climate system, the atmosphere and ocean:

Address how the climate system varies and how climate is controlled by radiative forcing;

How the structure of the atmosphere is determined and how the atmosphere circulates;

How the structure of the ocean is determined and how the ocean circulates;

How the atmosphere and ocean vary together in affecting the present and past climate system.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Knowledge and Understanding

a. Understand how physical processes operate within the climate system, the atmosphere and the ocean.

b. Appreciate the complexity of the climate system, the effect of radiative forcing, the concept of feedbacks, how rotation affects the circulation; the differences between currents and waves.

c. Gain awareness of the similarities and differences between the atmosphere and ocean.

(LO2) Intellectual Abilities

a. To be able to evaluate the relative importance of different physical processes in the climate systemb.

b. To develop critical skills in transferring insight gained from one problem to another problem, such as how the atmosphere circulates from one planet to another planet.

(LO3) Subject Based Practical Skills

a. Perform simple order of magnitude calculations and make inferences from the results.

b. Understand the use of dimensions.

(LO4) General Transferable Skills

a. Application of numbers, involving order of magnitudes and dimensions.

b. Time management.

c. Problem solving.

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Numeracy

Syllabus
 

Block One: Climate System

Climate system of  the Earth, atmosphere and ocean.
Climate records. Possible causes of climate variability.
Heat transfer and radiation models.
Radiation balance for other planets.  
Feedbacks in the climate system.

Block Two. Atmosphere

Composition and structure of the atmosphere.
Clouds and water vapour.
Understand motion on the rotating Earth.
General circulation in the tropics and mid-latitudes.
Weather systems, fronts and clouds.
Atmospheric circulation for other planets.
Seasonal cycle in the atmosphere.

Block Three. Oceans

Properties of water and seawater.
Observing the ocean
Vertical structure of the ocean.
Seasonal cycle in the ocean.
Formation of water masses.
Deep circulation over the globe.
Upper circulation over the globe:gyres, eddies and fronts.
Waves and tides.

Block Four. Climate variability

Atmospher e and ocean variability including the El Nino and Southern Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Climate states over the history of the planet and the possible connection to different ocean gateways and circulations.  
Conclusions

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Hybrid Delivery - asynchronus e-lectures available online via VLE supported by synchronus online and on-campus workshops and tutorials.

The module can revert to online synchronus delivery of workshops in weeks 1, 5 and 10 should the need arise.

All assessments will be completed online.

Teaching Method 1 - E-Lecture (22 hours)
Description: Asynchronus e-lectures available on the VLE.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Workshop/ Online Classroom (5 hours)
Description: Synchronus online workshops (1 hour)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Online Tutorial (5 hours)
Description: Synchronus online tutorial (1 hour) to support online tests.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           5

5

22

 32
Timetable (if known)           60 mins X 1 totaling 5
60 mins X 1 totaling 5
  		 
Private Study 118
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Online Written Exam (2 out of 4 questions) There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :end of  2 hours    50       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Online Assessment 1 - Test There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :during 1st semester  1 hour    5       
Online Assessment 2 - Test There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :during 1st semester  1 hour    5       
Online Assessment 3 - Test There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :during 1st semester  1 hour    5       
Online Assessment 4 - Test There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :during 1st semester  1 hour    5       
Online Assessment 5 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :during 1st semester  1 hour    5       
Online Assessment 6 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :during 1st semester  2 hours    25       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.