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ACM41070

Academic Year 2026/2027

Physical Meteorology & Climate (ACM41070)

Subject:
Applied & Computational Maths
College:
Science
School:
Mathematics & Statistics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Conor Sweeney
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The purpose of this module is to give students an introduction to physical meteorology. Physical meteorology explains how various atmospheric phenomena develop, how energy is transferred within the atmosphere, and how clouds and precipitation form. It also encompasses the study of the laws of radiation, and interactions between solar radiation and atmospheric components.

The module will also include a brief overview of climate science, which involves understanding the long-term patterns and averages of weather data. The field investigates how global, regional, and local climates are maintained and how they change over time, using observations, theoretical frameworks, and climate models.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Describe and explain the core physical principles behind Earth's weather and climate systems at both local and global scales, including the structure, composition, and thermodynamics of the atmosphere.

Apply fundamental laws and concepts (e.g., energy balance, radiation, thermodynamics) to explain atmospheric phenomena such as cloud formation, precipitation, and atmospheric circulation.

Analyze and interpret meteorological and climate data using appropriate mathematical, statistical, and computational methods, including the use of meteorological instruments and software.

Evaluate the effects of atmospheric processes (e.g., lapse rates, stability, winds, general circulation) on weather.

Explain the mechanisms and impacts of climate change, including natural and anthropogenic drivers, feedbacks, and uncertainties

Synthesize and communicate scientific information effectively through written, graphical, and oral means.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Novice

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Conversation Class

18
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures will involve questions and mini problems posed to the class and worked on collaboratively.

Computer labs will involve developing code to achieve specified purposes together, supported by the lecturer.

Students will work in groups to prepare for the group presentation assignment.

Students will also prepare an individual presentation.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students should already have had exposure to calculus at first-year university level, and physics and chemistry at secondary school level.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Short weekly quiz Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Group Work Assignment: Weekly group presentations, each individual must present at least once slide. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Exam (In-person): In-person, closed book, written class test Week 8 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): End of term exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 12:00 - 13:00
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 15:00 - 15:50
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