GEOG 4271/5271: The Arctic Climate System
Course Description
The Arctic region plays a key role in regulating global climate and is in the midst of rapid
change, with impacts on physical, biological and human systems both within and beyond
the region. This comprehensive assessment of the Arctic climate system begins with an
overview of the Arctic's basic physical characteristics and climatic features. Attention
then turns to the atmospheric energy budget, the atmospheric circulation, the surface
energy budget, the hydrologic cycle, and the fascinating interactions between the
atmosphere, Arctic Ocean and its sea ice cover. Following an overview of numerical
modeling of the Arctic system, we explore Arctic climate history over the past two
million years. The final segment of the course explores the future of Arctic climate and
potential impacts on society, including issues such as increased access to oil, gas and
mineral wealth at the bottom of the ocean, commercial shipping and conflict between
stakeholders. The course will use the 2nd edition of the instructor's textbook "The Arctic
Climate System" and additional materials as needed. It is assumed that the student
already has a basic background in climate science, meteorology or physics with
commensurate mathematical skills.
All course materials will be posted on D2L.
Syllabus (may change if the situation warrants)
Week 1: Introduction (Chapters 1 and 2)
The history of Arctic exploration
A climatically important region undergoing rapid change
The Arctic’s growing economic and strategic importance
The Arctic Ocean
The Arctic lands
Basic climatic elements
ESSAY #1
Week 2: The Arctic energy budget (Chapter 3)
Role of the Arctic in the global energy budget
The Arctic energy budget: focus on the seasonal cycle
ESSAY #2, HOMEWORK #1
Week 3: The atmospheric circulation (Chapter 4)
Circulation of the troposphere
Circulation at the surface
Circulation of the stratosphere
HOMEWORK # 2
Week 4: The atmospheric circulation (Chapter 4)
Winter – focus on the Icelandic Low region
Modes of circulation variability
Summer – focus on the central Arctic Ocean and Arctic frontal zone
Polar lows
HOMEWORK #3, ESSAY #3
Week 5: Energy exchanges at the surface (Chapter 5)
Basic considerations
Radiative terms
Cloud radiative forcing
The non-radiative terms
The Arctic temperature inversion
Climate feedbacks and the surface energy budget
EXAM #1, ESSAY #4
Week 6: The hydrologic cycle (Chapter 6)
Precipitation
Net precipitation (precipitation minus evaporation)
The Arctic terrestrial drainage system
The freshwater budget of the Arctic Ocean
HOMEWORK #4, ESSAY #5
Week 7: Arctic ocean-sea ice-climate interactions (Chapter 7)
The shrinking sea ice cover
Sea ice formation, growth and morphology
HOMEWORK #5
Week 8: Arctic ocean-sea ice-climate interactions (Chapter 7)
Sea ice motion, thickness and deformation1
Case studies: September ice extent for 2007 and 2008
The Fram Strait outflow, thermohaline circulation and Arctic back door
ESSAY #6
Week 9: Climate regimes of the Arctic (Chapter 8)
The climate of Greenland
Polar desert
The maritime Arctic
The central Arctic Ocean
HOMEWORK #6, ESSAY #7
Week 10: Special topics
Week 11: Modeling the Arctic system (Chapter 9)
Single column models
Numerical weather prediction models
Sea ice and ice-ocean models
Global climate models
Land surface models
Regional models
Ecosystem models
ESSAY #8, HOMEWORK #7
Week 12: Arctic paleoclimates (Chapter 10)
The distant past
Types of paleoclimate records
Chronology of the Quaternary
The last glacial cycle and rapid climate shifts
Deglaciation and the Holocene
EASAY #9
Week 13: The uncertain future (Chapter 11)
Model uncertainties and wild cards
Impacts of Arctic climate change outside of the Arctic
ESSAY #10
Week 14: NO CLASSES, FALL BREAK
Week 15: Presentation of papers by graduate students
HOMEWORK #8
Week 16: Broader Issues: The accessible Arctic
Commercial shipping/tourism
Resource exploration and production (oil, gas, minerals)
Conflicts between stakeholders
Week 17: EXAM (During finals week, time TBD)
Grading, undergraduate students:
There will be two exams (midterm and final, 15% each, 30% of the total grade) with
short answer and essay sections. There will be eight homework assignments (35% of the
total grade; students may drop one of the eight assignments) that focus on quantitative
calculations surrounding various aspects of the Arctic climate system (radiation and
surface energy budgets, hydrology, climate, snow cover, sea ice growth, atmospheric
circulation). There will also be 10 essay assignments of 500 words each on various
topics of Arctic climate (27% of the total grade, students may drop one of these
assignments). The remaining 8%of the total grade will be based on attendance, class
participation and effort. Essays and homework assignment are due Friday of each week
indicated, see D2L for details.
Grading, graduate students:
The homework assignments will be worth 30% and the essays will be worth 17%.
Requirements are otherwise the same as for the undergraduate students except that
graduate students will be required to write a term paper (20 pages, not including figures
or references, 15% of grade) on a topic of their choice, and will; present their papers in
class during week 15. The exams will also have different questions, and a stronger focus
on longer essay answers. The paper is due midnight before the day of the final.
Honor code: Students found to be in violation of the honor code will receive a failing
grade in the class.
Required Readings
Serreze, M.C. and R.G. Barry (2014), "The Arctic Climate System", 2nd Edition,
Cambridge University Press
Articles from "Geophysical Research Letters" and other journals regarding key
topics, recent advances and notable events (exam questions may draw from these
articles)
University of Colorado Policies
Disability Services:
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to your
professor a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner (for exam accommodations
provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be
addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented
disabilities. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or by e-mail
at dsinfo@colorado.edu.If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see
Temporary Medical Conditions: Injuries, Surgeries, and Illnesses guidelines under Quick
Links at Disability Services website and discuss your needs with your professor.
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to
deal reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations,
have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. See full details
at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Classroom Behavior:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning
environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to
discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to
individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed,
politics, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender
expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor
with the student’s legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an
alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the
semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.
Discrimination and Harrassment:
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is committed to maintaining a
positive learning, working, and living environment. The University of Colorado does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment
and employment in, its educational programs and activities. (Regent Law, Article 10,
amended 11/8/2001). CU-Boulder will not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment
based upon Protected Classes or related retaliation against or by any employee or student.
For purposes of this CU-Boulder policy, "Protected Classes" refers to race, color,
national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender
identity, gender expression, or veteran status. Individuals who believe they have been
discriminated against should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH)
at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at 303-492-5550. Information
about the ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to
assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained
at http://hr.colorado.edu/dh/Pages/default.aspx
Academic Integrity / Honor Code:
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and
adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may
include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and
threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the
Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to
be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions
from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to
university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code
can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and
at http://honorcode.colorado.edu.