This class provides a series of Python programming exercises intended to explore the use of numerical modeling in the Earth system and climate sciences. The scientific background for these models is presented in a companion class, Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change. This class assumes that you are new to Python programming (and this is indeed a great way to learn Python!), but that you will be able to pick up an elementary knowledge of Python syntax from another class or from on-line tutorials.
Global Warming II: Create Your Own Models in Python
Global Warming II: Create Your Own Models in Python
Instructor: David Archer
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4.1
(55 reviews)
3 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
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Assessments
6 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 5 modules in this course
This class is intended to complement a Coursera class called Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change, which presents much of the background to the material here. In this class you'll be using spreadsheets (maybe) and Python (definitely) to do some simple numerical calculations on topics in Earth System Science. The model you'll be working on this week is based on material from Unit 3 of that class, called First Climate Model.
What's included
2 videos6 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment1 peer review
The ideas behind this model were explained in Unit 7, Feedbacks, in Part I of this class. First we get to generate simple linear "parameterization" functions of planetary albedo and the latitude to which ice forms (colder = lower latitude ice). Second, for any given value of the solar constant, L, we'll use iteration to find consistent values of albedo and T, to show the effect of the ice albedo feedback on Earth's temperature, running away to fall into the dreaded "snowball Earth".
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment1 peer review
Ice flows like extra-thick molasses, downhill. The shape of the ice sheet (altitude versus distance across) is determined by the relationship between ice surface slope and the flow rate of the ice.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment1 peer review
Planetary rotation and fluid flow were explained in Part I of this class, Unit 6, on Weather and Climate.
What's included
1 video1 reading2 assignments3 programming assignments1 peer review
Background for this model was presented in Part I of this class, Unit 9, The Perturbed Carbon Cycle.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment1 peer review
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The University of Chicago
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4.1
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AS
5
Reviewed on Jun 18, 2016
Really good course. Short, content-filled lectures and practical application!
AH
5
Reviewed on Apr 13, 2020
Great course for those who want to learn a little more about modelling, python and the climate!
VI
4
Reviewed on Jan 29, 2021
Great course, really interesting! The difficulty of the course didn't follow a linear growth, as week 4 was much more difficult than the others.
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