2019-2020 / SPAT0025-1

Environmental modelling

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in space sciences (120 ECTS)4 crédits 

Lecturer

Louis François, Guy Munhoven

Coordinator

Guy Munhoven

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course provides a general introduction to computer modelling of environmental physical, chemical and biological processes.
The theoretical lectures cover the following themes 1. Biogeochemical cycles; 2. Box models; 3. Modelling of oceanic processe: carbon cycle, marine sediments, etc. 4. Modelling of continental processes: hydrology, photosynthesis and vegetation, soil and water-rock interactions; 5. Climate modelling: energy balance models, Earth system models of intermediate Complexity (EMICs), general circulation models (GCMs)
The tutorials will help students to master the concepts and techniques of modelling.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The aim of this course is to allow students to master the modelling of physical chemical and biological processes in the environment. It is in particularly devoted to the modelling of climate and biogeochemical cycles, on the basis of e few simple examples.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of numerical analysis and programming.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Each student will carry out a modelling project that requires the development or the use of a (simple) computer model. This work will be related to one aspect or another of subjects addressed in the lectures.

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

The lectures are organised during the second semester, on Wednesday morning from 10h00 to 13h00.

Recommended or required readings

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination (on the lectures) + personal work (synthetic report of modelling project - tutorials).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Louis François, Professor, Institute of Astrophysics et and Geophysics (B5c build.), Phone: (+32) (4) 366-9776 e-mail: Louis.Francois@uliege.be

Guy Munhoven, Research Associate F.R.S-FNRS, Laboratory of Planetary and Atmospheric Physics, Institute of Astrophysics et and Geophysics (B5c build.), Phone: (+32) (4) 366-9771 e-mail: Guy.Munhoven@uliege.be Web: http://www.astro.ulg.ac.be/~munhoven

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

The theoretical lectures will continue to be given as initially scheduled. Starting from 18th March 2020, they will be given by video-conference. The required informations have been communicated to the enrolled students.
Tutorials will also be given by video-conference. Supervision of the students for their personal project work will be by eMail, with video-calls if required.

Assessment subjects

The programme iniially announced has been reduced: General Circulation Models will not be presented this year.

Assessment methods

The assessment for the May-June exam session will be based upon

  • an oral examination by video-conference;
  • a synthesis report on the personal modelling project.
The oral examination will not include any question on the theory seen in class, but only a practical problem to solve (application of the theory and reflection).

Contacts

Louis François (Louis.Francois@uliege.be) and Guy Munhoven (Guy.Munhoven@uliege.be)

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

The assessment material remains the same as for the May-June session..

Assessment methods

The assessment for the August-September exam session will be based upon

  • an oral examination by video-conference;
  • a synthesis report on the personal modelling project.
The oral examination will not include any question on the theory seen in class, but only a practical problem to solve (application of the theory and reflection).

Contacts

Louis François (Louis.Francois@uliege.be) and Guy Munhoven (Guy.Munhoven@uliege.be)

Items online

Lecture slides (Guy Munhoven)
This web page provides the slides for the lectures given by Guy Munhoven.
The content of this page is freely accessible.

Lecture slides (Louis François)
This web page provides the slides for the lectures given by Louis François.
Please contact one of the lecturers for informations about how to get access to the content of the page.