Study Programmes 2015-2016
ENVT2011-1  
Climatology and agrometeorology
Duration :
48h Th
Number of credits :
Master in environmental science and management (120 ECTS)4
Master in environmental science and management (120 ECTS)4
Master in environmental science and management (60 ECTS)4
Specialised master in environmental management in developing countries4
Lecturer :
Michel Erpicum, Bernard Tychon
Coordinator :
Bernard Tychon
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Climatology part:
Essential notions for the understanding of the different climate conditions in emerging countries are considered in a context of general and regional atmospheric circulations. The most appropriate climate classification for these regions is explained. A particular attention is paid to rainfall patterns and to spatio-temporal daily precipitation variability.
Combinations of the basic climate variables of the inter and subtropical countries are analysed.
Agrometerology part:
  • Definition and analyse of the radiation, radiative balance; water and energy balance of a crop soil ; soil temperature conduction; water and energy exchange by convection
  • Calculation of the evapotranspiration, agroclimatic zoning
  • Application of a crop growth monitoring system
  • Agrometeorological specific instruments
Instrumentation : visit of the weather station in Mont Rigi (SSHF) including a comparative study of instruments and other set of measurements. Moreover, observations and an agrometeorological exercise are organised in the weather station of the Campus of Arlon.
Learning outcomes of the course :
At the end of this course, the student will know the bases of the climatology and of the agrometeorology of inter and subtropical regions and will be able to apply them to some major environmental problems.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
notions of physics (thermodynamic), of biology and geography
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
  • calculation of potential and actual evapotranspiration
  • use of yield forecasting models, water stress periods analysis
  • meteorological observations in a weather station (daily observations)
  • agrometeorological exercises based on observations of our weather station
  • basic processing of meteo simultaneous data
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
2 to 3-hour lectures (one of two times par day) according to time availabilities.
Alternation of theory and practical works.
Recommended or required readings :
  • Powerpoint presentations and paper copies
  • References of web sites
  • Guyot, climatologie de l'environnement, 2nd edition
Assessment methods and criteria :
  • written exam
  • report to defend during the oral exam
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
No particular remarks.
Partim climatology given in 4 6-hour days (lessons in interactions with the students and with the recourse to internet for the interactive or documentary aspects.
with a portable PC for at least three students.
Examination of the partim climatology to Arlon in January, date to fix. Written examination (with practical test and reasoning to be exposed)
Contacts :
Michel ERPICUM

(michel.erpicum@ulg.ac.be)

Bernard TYCHON

(Bernard.Tychon@ulg.ac.be)