Module 1: Basics of Climate variables: Fundamental principles- climatic time scales Earth’s radiation balance latitudinal and seasonal variation of insolation Concept of atmospheric temperature, pressure, wind belts Atmospheric Moisture, stability and instability cloud formation and precipitation, water balance. (Duration: 9 hours)

Module 2: Air masses and characteristics Air masses: Properties of air masses, Air mass identification and analysis, Air mass source regions and classification Climates dominated by air masses Fronts and frontogenesis Extra tropical cyclones, Jet streams (Duration: 9 hours)

Module 3: Climate Classification Classification of climates: Koppen’s and Thornthwaite’s scheme of classification, Genetic (Bergeron) Climate Classification, Climatic regions of the world, Hydrological Cycle, climate of India and its classification. (Duration: 9 hours)

Module 4: Climate Change and impact Climate change: Proxy evidence and Geochronology Climate during recorded history Monitoring Earth’s climate system Natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change and the future Responding to climate change Public policy for climate change. (Duration: 9 hours)

The main objective of the course is to provide the fundamentals of climate science, with special focus on characteristics of climate parameters, stability of the atmosphere, cloud formation and precipitation.

The course also covers the general circulation of the atmosphere, various wind regimes, and how the climate responds to the air masses.

This course also introduces different climate types and their classifications based on climate parameters across the globe, with a special focus to Indian climate.

The course deals the climate change issues and how the climate is changing over the years, causes of climate change, and public policy for climate change.

After the completion of the course, the students will be able
Course Outcomes CO Attainment
CO1 To understand the characteristics of different climate parameters [from module 1]
CO2 To understand the general circulation of the atmosphere and clouds [Mainly from module 1 and supplemented by module 2]
CO3 Provides clear understanding on tropical and mid-latitude climates and dominance of air mass and fronts [from module 2]
CO4 Understanding various climates, classification methods, and concepts at largescale and regional scales [Mainly from module 3 and supplemented by module 2]
CO5 Attain knowledge on climate change and impacts on society, adaptation and mitigation methods. [From module 4]

Critchfield H. J, General Climatology, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd , Fourth Edition

Moran J. M, Climate studies-Introduction to climate science, American Meteorological Society

Sellers W. D, Physical climatology, University of Chicago , First Edition

Hartmann D. L, Global Physical Climatology, Academic Press Inc , Second Edition