Climatology

Climatology is a fundamental area of knowledge that underpins everything else we do, from land management to waste management, and from farming to urban conservation.

This course consists of 8 topics as stated below each containing their own short assessment. On completion of all topics you will then be given a case study on which you will be asked to write a final report on. You will be assigned a tutor to help you with assessments as well as access to online one to one lessons to reinforce your studies.

Duration: 100 Hours (approximately)

Qualification: Certificate upon completion of course

Topics:

Lesson 1: Nature and Scope of Climatology 

• Introduction to climatology & meteorology 
• Understanding how climate and weather affects us 
• What makes up our weather?
• How do we measure weather?

Lesson 2: Weather Science Foundations

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

Lesson 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 
• Longitudinal Circulation 
• Southern Oscillation 
• Ocean Gyres (system of ocean currents)

Lesson 4: Climate Classifications & Patterns 

• Types of Climate
• Arid/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 Synoptic Classification (SSC) 
• Other Global Classification Systems 
• Holdridge Life Zone System 

Lesson 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 

Lesson 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 
• Ozone Depletion 
• Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect 

Lesson 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 & Climate Data 
• Weather Mapping 
• Satellite 
• Radar 
• Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)
• Verification Methods
• Methods of Standard Verification 

Lesson 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 contact us for more information or to book your course