GEF9400 – The Earth System
Course description
Course content
The lectures will deal with the basics of the earth system with an emphasis on interactions between its components (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere). Observed changes in the state of the earth system will be presented. Current Earth System Models will be introduced and their capabilities and limitations will be discussed. Projected future climate change based on multi-model simulations will be highlighted.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, candidates will:
- Have insight into ongoing and projected changes in the Earth’s climate, and associated uncertainties
- Be familiar with the methods used in climate science
- Be familiar with the concept of the Earth System and key processes governing interactions between its main components.
- Have experience in presenting topics in Earth System Science orally and in written form
Admission
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
The course admits a maximum of 15 students. If the number of applicants exceeds the course capacity, applicants will be ranked in the following order:
1. PhD candidates at the Geosciences Department and Master students in Geosciences, in the Meteorology and Oceanography programme option
2. Other PhD students and visiting PhD students, and Master students in Geosciences, other programme options
3. Master’s level exchange students and other master’s level students at the MN Faculty
4. New single course students on master’s level
Admission will be decided by drawing lots for applicants who are ranked equally.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with GEF4400 – The Earth System (continued)
- 10 credits overlap with GEO4990 – The Earth System
- 10 credits overlap with GEO9990 – The Earth System
The field excursion has 100% overlap with the corresponding one in GEF4320 – Radiation and remote sensing (discontinued)/GEF9320 – Radiation and Remote Sensing (discontinued). Therefore, those that have taken GEF4320/GEF9320 are exempted from the requirement to take the Andøya field excursion.
Teaching
The course is taught twice weekly, 2 hours at a time.
The teaching consists of interactive lectures with active participation by the students (e.g. oral presentations, discussions, written report) and a field excursion to Andøya Rocket Range observatory at Andøya, Norway. A field report must be handed in after the excursion.
Two oral presentations, a written report and a successful completion of the Andøya field excursion, including a field report, counts for 50% of final grade. A final oral examination counts for 50% of the final grade. Presentations by the candidates will be part of the course.
General information about excursions at the Department of Geosciences.
As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Examination
All mandatory activity must be completed in order for the student to take the final exam.
Two oral presentations, a written report and a successful completion of the Andøya field excursion, including a field report, counts for 50% of final grade. A final oral examination counts for 50% of the final grade. Presentations by the candidates will be part of the course.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: GEF4400 – The Earth System (continued), GEO4990 – The Earth System, GEO9990 – The Earth System.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.