Physical Geography - Climatology

Objectives

a) To know the main physical characteristics and movements of Earth and its connection to seasonal and latitudinal climate variations;
b) To understand the basis of the global atmospheric circulation;
c) To perceive the climatic diversity of the Earth, its causes and consequences;
d) To use with critical sense and to map climatic data;
e) To analyse synoptic weather maps;
f) To identify and to explain the several climate types

General characterization

Code

01100660

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Maria José Leitão Barroso Roxo

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

  • AHRENS, C. D. & HENSON, R. (2018). The Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment. (12th ed.). Cengage Learning. 656p. ou/or
  • BARRY, R.G. & CHORLEY, R.J. (2009). Atmosphere Weather & Climate. (9th ed.). Londres: Methuen & Co Ltd, 421p. ou/or
  • CUADRAT, J. Mª. & PITA, Mª. F.(2014). Climatología. (7th ed.). Madrid: Ediciones Cátedra. 496p. ou/or
  • ESTIENNE, P. & GODARD, A. (1990). Climatologie. (8th ed.). Paris: Col. U. Armand Colin. 367p. ou/or
  • RENNEBOOG, R. (ED.) (2018). Principles of Climatology. NY: Salem Press 614p

Teaching method

- Theoretical Lessons where the main topics of the program are presented and discussed with the pupils.
- Practical Lessons with presentation of climatic data sources (type of data, its meaning and cartographic representation; analysis and interpretation of synoptic weather maps and its relation to the weather types)

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment - Assiduity(5%), Participation and work of the student in the classroom and evaluated in a practice written test(25%), Reading selected texts to be evaluate in written tests - (20%+50%)(70%)

Subject matter

1. Planet Earth: Form, Dimensions and Movements.

2. Different Illumination/Heating of the Globe - Zonal and Seasonal Thermal Variation

3. Atmosphere Structure and Composition.

4. Heat Imbalance and the Man`s influence.

5. Atmospheric Moisture, Evaporation, Condensation, Clouds and Precipitation.

6. Air Masses and Fronts.

7. Highs and Lows Pressure areas and Movements of the Atmosphere.

8. The Climates of the Earth.

9. Climate Change: causes and consequences.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: