GEF4400 – 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, students 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.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
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
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with GEF9400 – 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) and a field excursion to Andøya Rocket Range observatory at Andøya, Norway. A field report must be handed in after the excursion.
The successful completion of the course includes an oral presentation (weight 50%), a successful completion of the Andøya field excursion (mandatory), as well as a final oral examination (50%). Student presentations will be part of the course.
To attend the field trip/excursion it is required that the following course is passed:
You will need to provide documentation that you have passed HMS0504 when you attend the field trip/excursion.
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.
The final grade is based on: Oral presentation(s) (weight 50%), field report (‘pass’ or ‘not pass’), oral examination (weight 50%).
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. 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: GEF9400 – 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.