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701-1231-00L 3 Credits DS , MSC D-USYS , D-ERDW

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Large-scale climate variability

Lecturers & Examiners: Stefan Brönnimann

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:06:23

Abstract

This course deals with processes related to large-scale climate variability (El Niño, hemispheric to global climate interactions, solar variability, volcanic eruptions) as well as their importance in climate history of the past 500-1000 years.

Objective

The goal of this course is to understand variations and disturbances of the global climate system as well as their importance for climate history.

Content

This course deals with processes related to large-scale climate variability as well as the climate history of the past 500-1000 years. The main topics are, on the one hand, external causes of large-scale climate variations such as changes in solar activity or volcanic eruptions. On the other hand, variations in the coupled ocean-atmosphere system such as El Niño, interactions between tropics and extratropics and between troposphere and stratosphere, as well as regional to hemispheric climate patterns (Pacific North American Pattern, North Atlantic Oscillation) are discussed. The second main topic is the role of these processes in recent climate history. Scientific methods such as data analysis, model simulations, and climate reconstructions are introduced. In the exercises, the main topics of the course will be further deepened by means of presentations.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes are provided.

Literature

A bibliography will be provided.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: DS , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: ungraded semester performance

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Large-scale climate variability	Mon 08:15-10:00 (CHN D 42)	2 h weekly
exercise	Large-scale climate variability	Mon 10:15-11:00 (CHN D 42)	1 h weekly

Offered In

Environmental Sciences
- Advanced Studies
  - 3. Environmental System Majors
    - Atmosphere (Weitere Lehrveranstaltungen nach freier Wahl in Absprache mit dem Fachberater)
      - Atmosphere
Environmental Sciences Master
- Major in Atmosphere and Climate
  - Climate Processes and Feedback
  - Climate History and Paleoclimatology
Atmospheric and Climate Science Master
- Modules
  - Climate Processes and Feedbacks
  - Climate History and Paleoclimatology