Topoclimatology

Duration

15h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Matthias Vanmaercke

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course discusses key concepts of Topoclimatology and Paleoclimatology. With respect to Topoclimatology, the theoretical part focusses on:

• The influencing factors of climate on different spatial scales (with emphasis on local scales and variations)
• Key concepts and properties of topoclimatology (including specific winds)
• Relevant issues relating to topoclimatology (e.g. the urban heat islands, issues of air quality)

• The available sources of information relevant to discuss paleo-climates
• The factors and mechanisms influencing paleo-climates at differnent spatial and temporal scales
• A state of the art on current paleo-climatic reconstructions and the main paleo-climatic events on geological timescales.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

After following this course, the student should have:

• A good understanding of variation of climates across different spatial and temporal scales
• Insights into the factors influencing these scale-dependent variations
• Be able to interpret and analyze relevant climatic data in relation to the environment and global position
• Identify expected climatic properties (e.g. temperature and precipitation ranges, dominant winds) of regions, based on their location and physical properties.
• Have knowledge about the main environmental and societal problems that are linked to local climates.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Background in mathematics, physics and chemistry. Introduction to climatology and meteorology.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theorie (15 h): teaching in interaction with the students. While some of the course material may be in English, the main teaching language is French.
Exercises (15 h): exercises and assignments which will be discussed during dedicated sessions                              

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

face-to-face & distance learning

Recommended or required readings

The course material consists of the handouts of the presentations used during the lectures. While these handouts are relatively complete, students are adviced to take additional notes.
For interested students, recommended literature on specific subjects will be provided during the course.

Assessment methods and criteria

Theorie: Oral examination with written preparation (in French, closed-book).
Exercises: Presence and engagements during the practical session, score on the final report and presentation of the exercise.
Depending on practical circumstances, the exam of the third session (august/september) may be replaced by a written exam (closed-book). Students will be notified beforehand about this.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Matthias Vanmaercke
Bât. B11 Géographie physique et du quaternaire
Quartier Village 4
clos Mercator 3
4000 Liège 1
Belgique
Telephone : +32 4 3665267
email: Matthias.Vanmaercke@ulg.ac.be