Weather
| Module title | Weather |
|---|---|
| Module code | GEO3227 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Ewan Woodley (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 90 |
|---|
Module description
From the minor inconvenience of a rain shower, to the catastrophic failure of a harvest, weather systems impact upon the World’s population in myriad ways. This module is designed to introduce you to the key concepts behind the working of the atmosphere and how atmospheric processes interact with each other and the land/ocean surface to produce very different types of meteorological system. With an understanding of the key determinants and components of atmospheric motion, we will focus in depth on different types of weather systems, which have significant environmental impacts, but which are very different in geographical scale, structure and function. In each case, we will critically examine the current academic debates and contestations surrounding these types of weather system and what these mean for our ability to understand, forecast and warn of specific atmospheric hazards and their potential impacts.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module provides an opportunity to learn about the processes and factors that control the formation and evolution of key weather systems across the World, including (for example) extra-tropical cyclones, tornadoes, tropical cyclones and monsoons. We will explore how and why different systems form in certain regions of the globe, why they occur over specific spatial and temporal scales, and how the physical mechanisms controlling these systems, and the state of the atmosphere at a given time, impact upon our ability to accurately forecast such phenomena. Building on this understanding, we will examine the latest academic debates associated with weather systems to critically evaluate the contestations and knowledge controversies in these areas of meteorological research. You will have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of 1) recent advances in theoretical understanding, 2) the latest observation, measurement and modelling of key phenomena, 3) the current limitations of atmospheric science, and 4) the extent of agreement and disagreement on weather system behaviour and projected changes. This module will help you develop skills to enhance your employability potential and career development through:
-
giving you an appreciation of the contested and provisional nature of knowledge
-
encouraging you to think critically about the ways in which knowledge is generated in a range of research contexts
-
providing you with the opportunity to engage in enquiry-led learning through peer reviewed research
-
and providing you with the opportunity to develop communication skills through formative class discussion and summative written examination.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the general working of the atmosphere, including the dominant forces and factors affecting the formation of the weather systems studied on the module
- 2. Discuss and critically evaluate contemporary academic debates in appropriate literature relating to weather systems studied on the module
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Recognise and explain how meteorology incorporates core concepts in physical geography and necessitates an understanding of atmosphere-land and atmosphere-ocean interactions
- 4. Convey in writing the contingent and contested nature of environmental knowledges
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Identify, acquire, analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources
- 6. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively and fluently
Syllabus plan
Content covered in this module will include some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction to the module
- Introduction to the atmosphere and meteorology
- Extratropical cyclones: characteristics, processes and current debates
- Supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes: characteristics, processes and current debates
- North Atlantic hurricanes: characteristics, processes and current debates
- The Indian Monsoon: characteristics, processes and current debates
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Lectures (11 x 2 hours) |
| Guided Independent Study | 53 | Reading for Examination 1 |
| Guided Independent Study | 75 | Reading for Examination 2 |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class group discussion activities | 5 minutes per week (in lecture) | 1-3, 5, 6 | In-class feedback from lecturer |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination 1 | 40 | 1.5 hours | 1-6 | Written |
| Examination 2 | 60 | 1.5 hours | 1-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination 1 | Examination 1 | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Examination 2 | Examination 2 | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination or submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative basic reading list:
Core reading
- Aguado, E. And Burt, J.E. 2015. Understanding Weather and Climate, 7th Edition. Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
- Barry, R.G. and Chorley, R.J. 2009. Atmosphere, Weather and Climate, 9th Edition. Routledge, Oxford.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/07/2012 |
| Last revision date | 27/02/2024 |
