Introduction to the Arctic: Climate

University of Alberta

Об этом курсе

The University of Alberta, the University of Tromso and the University of the Arctic invite you to explore this four week course that examines the environment and climate of the circumpolar North. This course is the result of an international collaboration and provides you with an insight into our planet's North. Following an overview of regional geography, we will focus on the cryosphere (ice), as well as the atmosphere and ocean of the region. We will learn why the Arctic is cold and ice covered, and how that impacts its climate and ecosystems. We will also consider how the Arctic is connected to the rest of the world. Finally, we will examine present day climate change, the processes driving it, and evidence for it in the Arctic, before looking at the implications in the rapidly evolving North. Watch a preview of the course here: https://uofa.ualberta.ca/courses/arctic-climate

Только онлайн-курс

Начните сейчас и учитесь по собственному графику.

Прибл. 8 ч. на завершение

Предполагаемая нагрузка: 4 hours/week

English

Субтитры: English

Только онлайн-курс

Начните сейчас и учитесь по собственному графику.

Прибл. 8 ч. на завершение

Предполагаемая нагрузка: 4 hours/week

English

Субтитры: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

2 hours to complete

Arctic Environments

This course is about the remarkable northern regions of the earth, the Arctic! Although sometimes considered remote and dangerous, the Arctic is home to many peoples, along with the ecosystems that they coexist with. Researchers from many fields, both scientists and non-scientists, study this vast circumpolar region to understand the environment, peoples, animals, economies, and resources. You’ll soon learn about the environments (the characteristics of the natural world) and climate (the prevailing atmospheric, oceanic and ice conditions) of the world’s North....

4 videos (Total 58 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

Course Preview Video1m

1.1 Introduction to Arctic Environments and Climate18m

1.2A What is Climate?20m

1.2B What is Climate?18m

6 readings

Instructional Staff10m

Meet Your Presenter: Roy Coulthard10m

Course Glossary10m

Additional Resources10m

Acknowledgements10m

Lesson 1 Course Notes10m

1 practice exercises

Module 1 (Graded)10m

2

Section

2 hours to complete

Climate Systems

In this lesson we’ll learn about the climate of the Arctic, and the way the climate interacts with the rest of the Earth system. In Lesson 1, we saw how the Earth receives energy from the sun and how heat is trapped on our planet through the natural greenhouse effect. We will now discuss how this energy is distributed throughout the globe and how it is transferred from the tropics to the poles via the large-scale circulation systems of the atmosphere and the ocean. We’ll learn the difference between the natural and the human-induced greenhouse effect - driven by the input of greenhouse gases created by burning fossil fuels, such as carbon dioxide and methane - and discuss what the future holds for the Arctic’s climate. As you will see, the global climate system is tightly linked and climate change in the Arctic also strongly affects temperate latitudes....

6 videos (Total 103 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

2.1A Climate and Atmosphere18m

2.1B Climate and Atmosphere19m

2.2A Ocean Circulation and the Arctic Ocean13m

2.2B Ocean Circulation and the Arctic Ocean18m

2.3 Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gasses28m

2.4 Back to the Arctic5m

2 readings

Lesson 2 Course Notes10m

Hadley, Ferrell and Polar Cells10m

1 practice exercises

Module 2 (Graded)10m

3

Section

1 hour to complete

The Cryosphere

In this lesson, we’ll be learning about the Arctic cryosphere, which is the portion of the Earth’s surface where water occurs in solid forms. Such as snow and ice! In Lesson 2, we talked about atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Now we will learn about when and how ice forms on the surface of the Earth, including such topics as: sea ice, river ice, glaciers , and permafrost. How all this ice formed on the ocean and on (and in) the land? How it relates to the atmosphere and ocean?...

4 videos (Total 64 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

4 videos

3.1 Forms of Ice in the Polar Regions19m

3.2 River and Lake Ice7m

3.3A Ice Sheets and Permafrost17m

3.3B Ice Sheets and Permafrost19m

1 readings

Lesson 3 Course Notes10m

1 practice exercises

Module 3 (Graded)10m

4

Section

1 hour to complete

Implications of Climate Change

In this lesson, we’ll be learning about the implications of climate change. Through the first 3 lessons, we’ve learned a great deal about the Arctic environment. This environment is rapidly changing, largely due to industrial human activity throughout the world. You’ll remember the natural greenhouse effect that we discussed in Lesson 1. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are among the naturally occurring greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They trap outgoing longwave radiation, raising the average temperature of the Earth. We will learn and discuss how sea ice and glaciers react to changes in our atmosphere and oceans. We will then discuss the implications of the changing environment on ecosystems, wildlife and humans. ...

4 videos (Total 68 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

4 videos

4.1 Climate Change10m

4.2A The Impacts of Climate Change16m

4.2B The Impacts of Climate Change17m

4.2C The Impacts of Climate Change22m

1 readings

Lesson 4 Course Notes10m

1 practice exercises

Module 4 (Graded)10m

Instructor

Paul Myers, Ph.D

Professor

About University of Alberta

UAlberta is considered among the world’s leading public research- and teaching-intensive universities. As one of Canada’s top universities, we’re known for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences....

Frequently Asked Questions

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Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I pay for this course?
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
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Introduction to the Arctic: Climate