Undergraduate Course: Meteorology: Weather and Climate (METE08002)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | An introduction to large-scale weather systems and climate processes. We will cover radiation and climate, the role of the oceans, the greenhouse effect, atmospheric dynamics, the global circulation, tropical and mid-latitude weather systems and weather forecasting. |
| Course description |
Syllabus
Example Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction, course content, weather maps; Satellite images; Components of the climate system
Week 2: Basics of radiation: Solar and terrestrial, properties of a perfect radiator; Equilibrium temperature of Earth;
The greenhouse effect
Week 3: Feedbacks in the climate system; The role of the oceans in the climate system; Climate forcings
Week 4: Climate variability and change; General Circulation; Pressure and Forces
Week 5: Coriolis forces; Geostrophic balance; Inertial oscillations and Cyclostrophic motion
Week 6: The Gradient wind, boundary layer friction; The Thermal wind; Feedback Session on the Radiation Lab
Week 7: Convergence and divergence; Vorticity; Tropical cyclones overview
Week 8: Mid-latitude cyclones: Warm, Cold and occluded fronts; Mid-latitude cyclones: Life cycle
Week 9: Mid-latitude cyclones: Upper level flow; Other low pressure systems; Anticyclones and Weather Forecasting
Week 10: Weather Forecasting; Seasonal prediction; Feedback Session on Balloon experiment
Further course information can be found at the following link:
https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/courses/METE08002_SV1_SEM2
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | SCE H-grade Physics and Mathematics or equivalent
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 31,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 5,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
148 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
70 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment Details
Written Exam: 70%, Course Work: 30 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
The course work assignment will consist of two written lab reports (15% each). The labs run from weeks 2-10. Students will be asked to provide a write-up of two of the labs and guidance on report writing will be given in class as well as in the course handbook. For this reason lab attendance is compulsory.
To be awarded a pass on the course you must score a minimum of 40% in both the written degree examination and in the coursework. If you fail either the coursework or the exam you will be given an opportunity to resit that component during the summer period. Attendance at Labs and Tutorials is compulsory.
Assessment Deadlines
There will be two submission deadlines in the semester. These will be the Mondays of week 5 (radiation) and week 9 (pilot balloon). Assessments must be submitted electronically on Learn via the Turnitin submission box. Assignments must be submitted in PDF or Word format as one single file.
Radiation Lab: Semester 2, Monday Week 5, 12noon submit via Turnitin
Pilot Balloon Lab: Semester 2, Monday Week 9, 12noon submit via Turnitin
Assessment and feedback information can be found in the Taught Assessment Regulations: https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/taughtassessmentregulations.pdf
All details related to extensions procedures and late penalties can be found in the School of Geosciences Handbook, which can be found on the Learn UG Student Information Hub.
Exam ¿ May Exam Diet |
| Feedback |
Two lecture slots will be dedicated to feedback for the two course assignments. The first lecture will provide in depth general feedback to the students in advance of the second assignment so that feedback given here is useful for the second course assignment. A general feedback session on the second assignment will also be given, and this will also be useful for exam preparation. All students will be invited to an examination feedback session following release of course results. Top Hat will be used in lectures to provide instant feedback to large classes. Exam marking includes comments to students. Examples of feedback can be found here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teaching-organisation/staff/feedback-and-marking |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the components of the climate system, the global radiation balance and the physics underlying the greenhouse effect
- Display a basic understanding of the dynamics of the atmosphere and its interaction with the underlying ocean and land
- Display a basic understanding of the dynamics of the atmosphere and its interaction with the underlying ocean and land
- Understand the structure and air motions in tropical and mid-latitude cyclones, anticyclones and other types of low pressure systems
- Explain the fundamentals of weather forecasting
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Reading List
The basic text for the course is 'Meteorology Today' (10th edition) by C. Donald Ahrens, Brooks/Cole Publishing, however the latest edition has become too expensive to buy. Some copies from members of previous year's class may be available for purchase. Earlier editions of this book (especially the 8th and 9th editions) are quite satisfactory.
For the less mathematical parts of the course: Introducing Meteorology: A Guide to Weather (Jon Shonk) £8.99 is a good read. 'Atmospheric Science' (2nd edition) by Wallace and Hobbs £47 (from Blackwells) is also useful and is more mathematical than Ahrens.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Ruth Doherty
Tel: (0131 6)50 6759
Email: ruth.doherty@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
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