Module Provider: |
School of Human and Environmental Sciences |
Number of credits: |
10 [5 ECTS credits] |
Level: |
H (Honours) |
Terms in which taught: |
Autumn |
Module Convenor: |
Dr
ME
Hodson |
Pre-requisites: |
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Co-requisites: |
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Modules excluded: |
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Module version for: |
2007/8 |
Aims:
This module aims to provide the student with an understanding of the inter-related nature of diverse components of the earth system and how to model and predict environmental cycles and processes, as well as responses of the earth system to environmental change. |
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
Describe how the water and rock cycles impact on biogeochemical cycling of the elements
Construct mass balances for element cycling
Explain the positive and negative feedbacks between element cycling and global climate
Define the commonly used concepts and key equations used in land surface models
Describe the importance of the various key variables (e.g. net radiation, surface resistance, aerodynamic properties) on the fluxes and state variables (such as surface temperature and soil moisture content)
Discuss the various feedbacks and interactions between the processes governing the land surface system.
Discuss the different modelling approaches and parameterisations for a variety of surface types (e.g. bare soil, sparse canopy, closed canopy)
Write/adapt simple modelling program subroutines in Fortran |
Additional outcomes:
Students will enhance their data handling and reporting skills. |
Outline content:
Initial sessions will revise the water and rock cycles and investigate how these impinge on each other and impact on both life and climate. Positive and negative feedbacks, reservoirs and fluxes will then be illustrated through a quantitative explanation of the C, N, S, P and metal cycles, stressing the importance of these cycles to life and current (and changing) planetary conditions. The concept and application of mass balance will then be introduced and applied to the case of elemental cycling and ocean chemistry.
The course carries on with an overview of land surface models (LSMs) and their applications. It will deal with the following key components of LSMs:
The radiation and energy balance of the land surface
Stomatal and canopy resistances
Aerodynamic transfer processes involved in the exchange of energy (e.g. heat) and mass (e.g. CO2) between the land surface and the atmosphere
The impact of soil moisture on land-surface/atmosphere exchanges
In each case, there will be information provided on the physics of the processes, methods of measurement, and how the various sub-models might be parameterised in operational applications. The practical component of the course involves experimentation with simulation models. |
Brief description of teaching
and learning methods:
Lectures and practicals (both computer and paper based) will be integrated together with each session comprising up to 3 x 40 minute taught sessions with 20 minute breaks for informal discussion. |
Contact hours:
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
| Lectures |
30 |
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| Tutorials/seminars |
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| Practicals |
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| Other contact (eg study visits) |
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| Total hours |
30 |
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| Number of essays or assignments |
1 |
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| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
1 |
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Assessment:
Coursework
This will comprise an extended essay based on an aspect of the first half of the course and an in class test in the final week concerned with land surface models.
Relative percentage of coursework: 100 %
Examinations
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September only. |
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