Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate

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

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

The aim is to enable students to develop their skills in understanding the relationships between climate change and atmospheric and oceanic processes, as well as some of their impacts on the Earth system. Another important objective is to develop students' critical thinking skills with regard to climate change issues.

Training courses that include this module in their offering will endeavor to put in place a portfolio of knowledge/skills that will be carefully documented in this module.

100% continuous assessment

Introducing the IPCC and its 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), sensible and latent heat coupling

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)

North Atlantic circulation

The conveyor Belt

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

Regionalizing climates

Carbon and CO2 cycles in the Atmosphere, Ocean and Lithosphere

What 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)