2020-2021 / GEOG2020-1

Elements of meteorology

Duration

20h Th, 15h Pr, 2d FW

Number of credits

 Bachelor in geography : general4 crédits 
 Master in geography : climatology (120 ECTS)3 crédits 
 Master in geography, global change (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Sébastien Doutreloup, Xavier Fettweis

Coordinator

Xavier Fettweis

Language(s) of instruction

French 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

The following subjects are covered : study of its variables of state and their vertical profiles within troposphere, radiation phenomena, greenhouse effect, changes of phase of water, clouds and hydrometeors, general and local atmospheric circulation (components of the wind, storms and tropical cyclones, monsoons, trade winds, prevailing winds, regional winds, foehn effect...), synoptic meteorological conditions and their effects on lived weather, anomalies and climatic variabilities (NAO, ENSO, AO, ...), comparison of some climatic classifications and analyzes of principal types of climates, paleoclimatology. The reading and the analysis of synoptic charts and weather reports are taught starting from concrete cases.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, the student will be able to : - understand the behavior of the troposphere and its effects on "weather", seasons and climates everywhere at the Earth surface. - read and interpret the atmospheric soundings and the meteorological synoptic maps - understand the repercussions of greenhouse gases and human pressures on the environment and the nuisances associated with the climate and with the weather types.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basics of physic and mathematic are essential. 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Practical work are organized in three hour modules according to the advance of the theoretical course and in alternation with this one in the same time module.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

The lectures are given by two or three hour modules at the Institute of Geography (Bat. B11). Lectures are given with a systematic support of an overhead projector and a multi-media projector. A 5 to 10 min interruption is envisaged in the middle of each lesson. Practical works are organized according to the progress of the course. A scientific calculator is necessary for certain practical works. The attendance to the practical sessions are obligatory.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Oral exam via lifesize

Recommended or required readings

The sheets of the course are distributed chapter after chapter at the beginning of each course. It is the same for the notes for practical work. The consultation of the following books , available in library is suggested to supplement the information of the course : - Climates (A. Godard and Mr. Tabeaud, Hake, 1993) in french - General Meteorology (J.P. Triplet and G Roche, 1980) in french - Atmosphere, Weather and Climate (R.G. Barry and R.J. Chorley, 1992) - Introduction to climatology (A. Hufty, DeBoeck, 2001) in french

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam AND oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

Practical works counts for 50 % of the total evaluation. Oral exam.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Dr. Sébastien Doutreloup Dr. Xavier Fettweis, FNRS, Department of Geography - Laboratory of Climatology Web: http://www.climato.be/fettweis