Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate

The "Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate" module focuses on presenting the fundamental principles of atmospheric dynamics, ocean dynamics and provides a critical and documented look at climate change. The teaching is based on the analysis of official documents describing global change, documented lessons on key issues and applications on case studies in different global contexts.

The module is shared by the "Coastal engineering and rational development of the coastline" and "Water and coastline" courses of the STPE and Water masters. It can be taken by work-study students wishing to update their knowledge of global change and its relationship to weather and atmospheric processes.

The objective is to enable students to gain a better understanding of the relationships between climate change and atmospheric and oceanic processes and some of their impacts on the Earth system. Another important objective is to foster the development of students' critical thinking skills with respect to climate change issues.

The courses that include this module in their offer are committed to developing a portfolio of knowledge/skills that will be carefully documented in this module.

100% continuous assessment

Presentation of the IPCC and their reports

Causes of past climate change (Milankovitch, eg. Little Ice Age)

Current climate change (observations, models, causes)

Radiation balance, greenhouse effect (greenhouse gases, ozone layer), coupling of sensible and latent heat

General atmospheric circulation, geostrophic winds, fronts, jets, depression/anticyclone,

 Impact of climate change on extreme events (e.g. cyclones, Mediterranean episodes)

Societal impact and political choices (conventions, COPs)

General ocean circulation (engines, Munk, main ocean currents, numerical models)

The North Atlantic circulation

The conveyor belt

Ocean-atmosphere couplings. Energy and heat transport. Water cycle.

The regionalization of climates

Carbon and CO2 cycles in the Atmosphere, Ocean and Lithosphere

And if the gulf stream disappeared!

Sea level rise, process and evolution.                                        

TD: El Niño, North Atlantic Ocean, Indian monsoon, equatorial convergence, sea level rise (paleoclimatic evidence)