MNF-1100 Climathematics - 10 stp

The title of the course is a play with words that can be read in two ways: Clima-thematics suggests that the course sweeps over a collection of themes related to climate science and climate change policy. Cli-mathematics indicates that the course emphasizes quantitative rigor. In order to understand climate change we need to get the numbers right, and we need to understand what they mean. The course will give the student the necessary background to follow and engage in the on-going debates on questions such as:

Is the climate really changing? How is climate change determined by the radiation and energy balance? Can we understand climate change through simple, conceptual models? How does the carbon cycle work? What is the meaning of concepts as forcing, feedback, and climate sensitivity? Why is the climate changing? How can we predict future climate change? What are the impacts of climate change? What are the consequences of exponential economic growth? What are the fundamental elements of climate change policy? How should we balance mitigation and adaptation policies? What can be learned from the history of climate science and policies? How can we develop a long-term policy to address climate change?

Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

A certain academic maturity is desirable; hence, the course is most suitable for second-year students and beyond.

Application code: 9199

Knowledge - The student acquires sufficient knowledge to:

• read and fully understand the summaries for policymakers of the IPCC and similar reports,
• grasp the most important aspects of the scientific chapters of these reports,
• read and understand the essential content of central scientific papers on climate change,
• and form a critical and knowledge-based opinion on assertions made in reports, books and blogs on climate and energy policy. 

Skills - The student will be able to convey in a non-technical manner:

• existing knowledge, and lack of knowledge, pertaining to technical, socio-economic and ethical questions surrounding the deployment of climate science.

General expertise - The student will be able to discuss:

• how to build and test a climate model,
• who or what is most at risk from climate change,
• how to decarbonize economies,
• how to adapt to climate change,
• whether we should geoengineer the climate system,
• how to communicate climate science to policy makers and the general public.

Teaching: 60 hours

There will be 2 x 2-hour sessions per week over a total of 15 weeks. Each week will cover one chapter in Andrew Dessler's textbook. In the first session the instructor will present the theme and in the second session the students will work on and discuss the numbered problems given at the end of each chapter. Some of these problems and other issues will be made the subject of some mandatory assignments.

A written exam, 4 hours counting 100%.

Assessment scale: Letter grades A-F.

Coursework requirements: For permission to take the exam a specified number of mandatory assignments must have received a passing grade.

Date of exam: End of May.

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.