Cluster University of Jammu Semester 4 Climatology Syllabus Notes

Institution: Cluster University of Jammu
Syllabus Type: Semester - 4 (Major - Theory)
Examination Period: To be held in 2023, 2024, 2025
Course Title: Climatology
Course Code: 1GEOMJT0402
Total Credits: $04$
Total Marks: $100$ * Minor Marks: $20$ * Major Marks: $80$
Examination Durations: * Minor Time: $01:00$ Hour * Major Time: $02:30$ Hours
Course Objectives: * To provide students with a comprehensive description of Earth’s climates. * To facilitate an understanding of climate’s fundamental principles. * To enable the prediction of future climatic changes resulting from both natural and human causes.

Instructional Time: $12$ Hours
1.1 Definition, Nature, and Scope of Climatology: * Examines the conceptual boundaries and scientific nature of the study of climate. * Discusses the breadth and applicability of climatological research.
1.2 Aims, Objectives, and Sub-divisions of Climatology: * Identifies the specific goals and functional branches within the discipline.
1.3 Radiation and Global Heat Budget: * Detailed study of incoming solar radiation. * Analysis of the global heat budget, ensuring an understanding of the balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing terrestrial radiation.
1.4 Variability of Insolation: * Factors affecting the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

Instructional Time: $12$ Hours
2.1 Horizontal Distribution of Temperature: * Spatial patterns of temperature across the Earth's surface.
2.2 Vertical Distribution of Temperature: * Thermal layering of the atmosphere and change in temperature with altitude.
2.3 Atmospheric Pressure: * Measurement: Technical methods for determining atmospheric pressure. * Pressure Gradient: The physical force resulting from pressure differences. * Pressure Variations: Detailed study of diurnal (daily) and seasonal variations in pressure.
2.4 Global Pressure Belts and Wind Patterns: * Identification of permanent high and low-pressure belts. * Analysis of global atmospheric circulation and wind surface patterns.

Instructional Time: $12$ Hours
3.1 Planetary Wind System: * Comprehensive study of major global wind belts (e.g., Tradewinds, Westerlies, Polar Easterlies).
3.2 Condensation: * Forms of Condensation: Comprehensive study of Dew, Fog, Frost, Mist, and Smog.
3.3 Precipitation: * Forms of Precipitation: Identification of various states of falling moisture. * Types of Rainfall: Classification of rainfall mechanisms (e.g., Convectional, Orographic, Cyclonic).
3.4 Humidity: * Concept and Types: Understanding water vapor in the atmosphere and its various measures (Absolute, Specific, and Relative humidity).

Instructional Time: $12$ Hours
4.1 Tropical Cyclones: * Origin: The thermal and geographical conditions required for formation. * Characteristics: Pressure structure, wind speeds, and lifespan.
4.2 Extratropical Cyclones: * Origin and Characteristics: Study of mid-latitude low-pressure systems. * Polar Front Theory: The theoretical framework explaining the formation of extratropical cyclones through the interaction of contrasting air masses.
4.3 Fronts: * Characteristics: Physical properties of boundaries between air masses. * Classification: Different types of fronts (Warm, Cold, Stationary, Occluded).
4.4 Airmass: * Definition: Large bodies of air with uniform temperature and moisture properties. * Characteristics: Physical attributes. * Classification: Sorting air masses based on their source regions and temperature.

Instructional Time: $12$ Hours
5.1 Koppen’s Climatic Classification: * Study of the quantitative system for classifying climate based on temperature and precipitation data.
5.2 Climatic Changes through Geological Times: * Examination of historical climatic shifts over Earth's long-term history.
5.3 El Nino, La Nina, and Indian Ocean Dipole: * Ocean-atmosphere phenomena affecting global weather patterns. * Analysis of the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) cycle and the IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole).
5.4 Applied Climatology: * The application of climatological data and principles to solve practical problems in agriculture, industry, and human health.

Total marks: $80$
Duration: $2.5$ hours
Part A: * Composition: Short answer / objective type questions. * Weightage: $16$ marks. * Structure: Five questions of $2$ marks each and Six questions of $1$ mark each. * Coverage: Must cover all five units of the syllabus.
Part B: * Composition: Eight total questions available, from which students attempt four. * Weightage: Total of $64$ marks (four questions of $16$ marks each). * Selection Rule: Two questions are provided from each of Units II, III, IV, and V. Students must select one question from each unit. * Individual Question Structure ( $16$ marks): * i. Long answer question: $12$ marks. * ii. Short answer question/numerical problem: $4$ marks.

Weightage: $20$ marks.
Coverage: Based strictly on Unit I of the syllabus.
Part A: * Three long answer questions of $5$ marks each. * Requirement: Students must attempt any two (Total $10$ marks).
Part B: * Seven short answer questions of $2$ marks each. * Requirement: Students must attempt any five (Total $10$ marks).