Universität Wien

260054 SE Climate change - The physical science basis (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 26 - Physik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 15 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The first class (kick-off meeting) will take place on 19.03.2025 (there is no class on 05.03.2025).

  • Wednesday 05.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 19.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 26.03. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 02.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 09.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 30.04. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 07.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 14.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 21.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 28.05. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 04.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 11.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 18.06. 14:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum 1, Zi.3158, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1. Stk., 1090 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Aims of the seminar:
- Learn about the physics of climate change (note: we are not advising on how to mitigate or how to adapt to climate change)
- Prepare complex contents independently
- Present scientific contents
- Learn to argument scientifically, and learn to lead a scientific discussion about the physical principles of climate change

Contents: Climate, weather, climate change, natural and anthropogenic greenhouse effect, radiation and energy balance, albedo, carbon cycle, composition of the atmosphere, aerosols, clouds, forcing, feedbacks & climate sensitivity, climate predictions, climate variability, impacts, solar radiation management, carbon dioxide removal

Method: Discussion of agreed topics prepared by students for each course unit.

Students prepare independently on a topic area. Each seminar unit begins with a 15-minute presentation by students on the topic of the unit. Subsequently, questions on the topic are discussed in break-out groups, and the results of this breakout sessions are presented and discussed in the plenum.

Assessment and permitted materials

Course with immanent character

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Minimum requirements
- Compulsory attendance, unexcused absence is allowed twice
- Submission of "note sheets" / "Notizzettel"
- Presentation is mandatory
- Active participation in the discussion during the seminar unit
- Understanding of the topics discussed

Assessment criteria
- Preparation of course units (including submission of "note sheets")
- Presentation
- Participation in the scientific discussions (constructive, technically correct contributions and engagement in the discussions of the presentations)

In order to attain a positive grade at least 60% of the total points must be achieved.

The grading key for assessment is:
Very good: 91% – 100%
Good: 81% – 90,99%
Satisfactory: 71% – 80,99%
Sufficient: 60% – 70.99%
Not sufficient: <60%

Examination topics

All contents covered in the course.

Reading list

Selcted chapters from the following books:

Introduction to modern climate change
Andrew E. Dessler. Cambridge University Press, 3rd Edition, 2022
E‐Book (Full text): https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108879125
Print (u:search): https://ubdata.univie.ac.at/AC16357390

Global physical climatology
Dennis L. Hartmann. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Oxford, UK: Waltham, MA, USA: Elsevier, 2nd edition, 2016
E-Book (Full text): https://ubdata.univie.ac.at/AC15618701

Gerthsen Physik
Dieter Meschede, 25th ed. 2015. Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg : Imprint: Springer Spektrum
Erscheinungsjahr 2015
E-Book (Full text): https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45977-5

Related literature:
IPCC, 2023: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working
Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC,
Geneva, Switzerland, pp. 35 115, doi : 10.59327/IPCC/AR6 9789291691647

Other relevant literature will be announced during the course and on moodle, respectively.

Association in the course directory

M-VAF A 2, M-VAF B, UF MA PHYS 01a, UF MA PHYS 01b

Last modified: Mo 16.06.2025 13:26