Enrolment options
SPL1165 Principles of Climatology
Semester I
Brief Description of the Module
Climatology
involves the study of local and regional climates and their relation to the
large-scale atmospheric circulation. It requires an understanding of the basic
controls of atmospheric circulation and the resulting general circulation. In
details the module will cover the following items: Solar radiation and its importance;
atmospheric
composition and structure; air temperature; atmospheric pressure,
winds
and global atmospheric circulation; atmospheric humidity and precipitation; air
masses, fronts and atmospheric disturbances; types of climate
and climate of Rwanda & climate change issues (definitions, causes,
effects & mitigation and adaptation strategies).
Learning Outcomes
- Describe solar radiation and its
importance;
- Explain atmospheric composition and
structure;
- Describe and explain air
temperature;
- Analyze atmospheric pressure, winds
and global atmospheric circulation;
- Analyze atmospheric humidity and
precipitation;
- Explain
types of climate and climate of Rwanda;
- Explain
the phenomenon of climate change and its major effects.
Teaching and Learning Methods
- The
main teaching and learning methods are based on lecturer-led introductory lectures, followed by student contributions,
through a face-to-face teaching
mode.
- There
will be also discussions on particular case
studies, and oral presentations in plenary sessions.
- Course
materials (ppt presentation & selected readings) will be shared and/or
uploaded on e-learning platform.
Assessment
Methods
and
Weighting
- Individual Assignment (Written Report) (10%)
- Group Assignment (Written Report & Oral Presentation) (20%)
- Partial Exam (CAT) (20%)
- Final Assessment (Written Exam) (50%)
Indicative Course Materials
- Briggs, D., and Atkinson, K.
(1997). Fundamentals
of Physical Environment.
London/New York: Routledge (Second Edition) (Main Library).
- Holden, J. (2005). An
Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. Harlow/Etc.: Pearson/Prentice
Hall (Main
Library).
- IPCC.
(2023). Sixth Assessment Report: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_FullReport.pdf
- MaxIntyre, M.-P. (1966). Physical
Geography. New York: The Ronald Press
Company (Main
Library).
- REMA (2021). Rwanda
State of Environment and Outlook Report 2021.
Kigali, Rwanda Environment Management Authority. https://www.rema.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/Rwanda_SOER_Final-05February2022-LR.pdf
- Strahler, A. and A. Strahler, 2006.
Introducing
Physical Geography.
Boston: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (Main Library).
- UNEP. (2011). Rwanda:
From Post-Conflict Environmentally to Sustainable Development. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/rwanda-post-conflict-environmentally-sustainable-development
Lecturer:
Assoc. Prof. Gaspard Rwanyiziri
Phone: +2507 88 68 14 38
Email: g.rwanyiziri@ur.ac.rw