Geog 696C Physical
Geography, Spring 2002
Time: Wednesdays,
12:00-2:30 p.m., Harvill 435D
Credit: 3 units
Instructor: Andrew
Comrie (comrie@geog.arizona.edu)
Web: http://geog.arizona.edu/~comrie
Overview || Grades & Policies || Class Schedule & Readings || Links
Overview
How do patterns of weather and climate
at Earth’s surface relate to atmospheric processes? For much of the globe,
atmospheric circulation observed at the synoptic scale is the dominant
feature of regional and local climates. The field of synoptic climatology
seeks to analyze and explain relationships between surface climate conditions
and atmospheric circulation processes.
A large set of multivariate and related analysis techniques have been developed within synoptic climatology in recent decades. This research seminar systematically examines the theoretical and applied aspects of these methodological techniques comprising the synoptic climatological “toolbox,” including their historical development as well as new techniques.
The seminar format will be based around weekly meetings and will include readings, discussions, example analyses, and individual or group research papers. A tentative outline of topics is listed in the class schedule below. Note that we will likely spend two weeks on some of the topics.
Grades
& Policies
25% In-class activities (presentations,
discussions, reading summaries, participation, etc.)
75% Written assignments (weekly and/or
term paper, with content, format, etc. TBD with instructor)
Absence/attendance, withdrawal, honesty and other policies as per the UA General Catalog.
Work submitted late may be subject to penalties.
Class
Schedule
Tentative for now,
and almost certain to change. Weekly links to readings, assignments, and
possible visiting speakers will be added as the semester progresses. There
will be visiting speakers on some days, and additional assignments for
days when I am out of town.
| Jan 9 | Introductory Meeting |
| Jan 16 | What is Synoptic Climatology? |
|
Jan 23
|
Compositing |
|
Jan 30
|
Indexing |
|
Feb 6
|
Manual Methods |
|
Feb 13
|
Correlation Methods |
|
Feb 20
|
Eigenvector Methods |
|
Feb 27
|
Regionalization |
|
Mar 6
|
No Class - PACLIM |
|
Mar 13
|
No Class - Spring Break |
|
Mar 20
|
No Class - AAG |
|
Mar 27
|
Neural Techniques (Self Organizing Maps) |
|
Apr 3
|
Developments (incl. Downscaling) and GrADS |
|
Apr 10
|
Miscellaneous Techniques |
|
Apr 17
|
Assessing Error/Accuracy |
|
Apr 24
|
Projects & Presentations |
|
May 1
|
Projects & Presentations |