Class Climatology and Global Change

Presentation, discussion and understanding of the main concepts that underlie climatology.

Not applicable

1. Climatology. Fundamental concepts and analysis scales. Meteorological and climatic information. 2. Earth. Shape, dimensions and movements. 3. Solar radiation and global energy balance. 4. Structure and composition of the atmosphere. Atmospheric humidity, evaporation, condensation, clouds and precipitation. Air temperature. Atmospheric pressure. Wind. 5. Types of climate. Characteristics and distribution on the Earth's surface. Köppen-Geiger classification. 6. Characteristics of Portuguese climate. Solar radiation and insolation, contrasts and thermal extremes, distribution and rate of precipitation, extreme values, aridity and droughts, climatic regions. 7. Extreme weather phenomena and conditions. 8. Climate change. Climates of the past, the present and prospects for evolution.

The methodologies to support the teaching-learning process are centred on the students as well as on the development of their autonomy, whether in terms of acquisition or application of knowledge. Students are often encouraged to complete a set of practical exercises. Whenever appropriate, PBL activities are incorporated.    

- Ahrens, C. D. (2009) - ''Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment'', 9th Edition Brooks Cole, Cengage Learning, USA. - Ahrens, C. D. & Samson, P. (2011) - ''Extreme Weather and Climate'', Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. - Barry, R. G., Chorley, R. J. (1995) - ''Atmosphere, Weather and Climate'', 6th Edition, Routledge. - Cuadrat, J. M. & Pita, M. F. (2004) - ''Climatologia'' 3ª Ed., Ed. Cátedra. - Daveau, S. (1995) - ''Portugal Geográfico'', Ed. João Sá da Costa. - Garcia, F. F. (1996) - ''Manual de climatologia aplicada. Clima, Medio Ambiente y Planificacíon.'' Ed. Sintesis. - Instituto de Meteorologia (2011) - ''Atlas Climático Ibérico, 1971-2000''. ISBN: 978-84-7837-079-5. - Miranda, P. M. A. (2009) - ''Meteorologia e Ambiente: Fundamentos de meteorologia, clima e ambiente atmosférico'', 2ª Edição, Ed. Universidade Aberta.