Physical Geography - Climatology
Code
711041025
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Geografia e Planeamento Regional
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
José Eduardo Ventura
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
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.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
1. Goals and analysis scales in climatology.
2. Planet Earth: Form, Dimensions and Movements.
3. Different Illumination/Heating of the Globe: Variation depending on Latitude and Season of the Year.
4. Latitudinal and Seasonal Variation of temperature.
5. Atmosphere Structure and Composition.
6. Heat Imbalance and the Mans influence.
7. Atmospheric Moisture, Evaporation, Condensation, Clouds and Precipitation.
8. Atmospheric Stability and Instability.
9. Air masses and Fronts.
10. Highs and Lows Pressure areas and Movements of the Atmosphere.
11. Different Scales of the Atmospheric Circulation.
12. Hydrologic Cycle.
13. Climate Types: Characteristics and Distribution on the Earth Surface.
14. Climate Changes: Climates of the Past, Current Situation and Perspectives of Evolution.
Bibliography
DAVEAU, S., O Ambiente Geográfico Natural, 4ª ed., Lisboa, Col. Humanismo e Ciência, Edições João Sá da Costa, 1999, 148p. ou
BARRY, R.G; CHORLEY, R.J. , Atmosphere Weather & Climate, 8ª ed., Londres, Methuen & Co Ltd, 2003, 421p. ou
CUADRAT, J. Mª.; PITA, Mª. F., - Climatología, 3ª ed., Madrid, Ediciones Cátedra, 2004 , 496p. ou
ESTIENNE, P.; GODARD, A. Climatologie, Paris, Armand Colin, Col. U, 1970, 367p. ou
MAYES, J. ; HUGHES, K., Understanding weather. A visual approach, Arnold, Londres, 2004, 188p.
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
Reading of selected texts to evaluate in written tests and through the participation and work developed for the pupil in the classroom and in practical evaluation to carry out.