Course Identification

Introduction to the Global Climate System
20262011

Lecturers and Teaching Assistants

Dr. Eli Galanti
Or Hess

Course Schedule and Location

2026
First Semester
Monday, 09:15 - 11:00, WSoS, Rm A

Tutorials
Thursday, 13:15 - 14:00, WSoS, Rm A
27/10/2025
22/01/2026

Field of Study, Course Type and Credit Points

Chemical Sciences: Lecture; Core; 3.00 points
Life Sciences: Lecture; 3.00 points

Comments

This course will be held in person only (no Zoom meetings); however, a recording of each session will be available.
Tutorials on Thursdays, 27/11 and 25/12 are cancelled. There will be makeup classes on Wednesdays 26/11 and 24/12 between 1315-1400 at WSoS, Rm A.
The tutorial for Thursday, 4/12 is cancelled. A makeup tutorial will be held on Thursday 11/12 between 1315-1500 at WSoS, Rm A.

Prerequisites

University-level introductory courses in linear algebra and calculus.
 

Restrictions

30

Language of Instruction

English

Registration by

28/10/2025

Attendance and participation

Obligatory

Grade Type

Numerical (out of 100)

Grade Breakdown (in %)

70%
30%

Evaluation Type

Examination

Scheduled date 1

27/01/2026
WSoS, Rm C
0900-1200
N/A

Scheduled date 2

22/02/2026
WSoS, Rm C
0900-1200
N/A

Estimated Weekly Independent Workload (in hours)

3

Syllabus

The course will include a basic overview of the climate system - global energy balance, atmospheric and oceanic circulation, climate sensitivity, and climate change - and the mechanisms governing them.
We will review possible causes for the current global warming - from natural climate variability to human-induced effects,
and will study the history and evolution of Earth's climate and how it relates to the climate we experience today.

The various methods used today to observe, modeling, and predict the climate system will be reviewed, and the forecasts for the next decades will be analyzed.

  1. From Weather to Climate - introduction to the Climate System
  2. A possible solution - the Global Energy Balance and Atmospheric Radiative Transfer
  3. On this land - the Energy Balance of the Surface
  4. A drink of water - the Hydrological Cycle: Storage, Evaporation, Clouds, Precipitation, Runoff
  5. A windy day - the atmospheric General Circulation and Climate
  6. Go with the flow - the Ocean General Circulation and Climate
  7. Once upon a time - Earth's past climate
  8. The Flap of a butterfly wings - Climate Sensitivity and Feedback Mechanisms
  9. The Ghost in the Machine - computer Models of Weather and Climate
  10. More possible solutions - natural Climate Change
  11. Man made - anthropogenic Climate Change

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understating of the Earth's climate system, its various components, and how they interact with each other
  2. Explain the current climate change, its possible influence of mankind on it, and its projection into the future

Reading List

Global Physical Climatology (Dennis L. Hartmann, Academic Press, pp. 411)

Website