Climatic Change – Extreme Weather Events

Course Information
TitleΚλιματικές Αλλαγές – Ακραία Καιρικά Φαινόμενα / Climatic Change – Extreme Weather Events
CodeNGMCM104
FacultySciences
SchoolGeology
Cycle / Level2nd / Postgraduate
Teaching PeriodWinter/Spring
CoordinatorKonstantia Tolika
CommonNo
StatusActive
Course ID600026415

Programme of Study: PMS Efarmosménī kai Perivallontikī Geōlogía kai Geōkíndynoi

Registered students: 0
OrientationAttendance TypeSemesterYearECTS
Geōmorfologikés Diergasíes kai Geōperivállonta se Synthīkes Klimatikīs MetavlītótītasCompulsory Course114
Class Information
Academic Year2026 – 2027
Class PeriodWinter
Faculty Instructors
Weekly Hours3
Total Hours39
Class ID
600304312
Course Type 2021
General Foundation
Mode of Delivery
  • Face to face
Digital Course Content
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
  • Greek (Instruction, Examination)
  • English (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 1.Understanding Climate Processes • Analyze the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms governing Earth's climate. • Explain fundamental concepts and processes related to climate change and its impacts. • Analyze the physical processes and factors contributing to an evolving climate during the geological centuries. 2.Data Management and Trend Identification • Interpret climate change data, such as temperature anomalies, CO₂ levels, and sea-level changes. • Identify long-term trends and impacts of climate change using modern analysis tools. 3.Examination of Extreme Weather Events • Describe and analyze the physiology and causes of extreme weather events such as storms, cyclones, floods, and heatwaves. • Connect extreme weather phenomena to climate change and explore their environmental, economic, and societal impacts. 4.Impact and Risk Assessment • Evaluate the social, environmental, and economic consequences of climate change and extreme weather events. • Identify vulnerable populations and propose measures for risk reduction and adaptation. 5.Policy Design and Solution Implementation • Analyze and propose policies and technical solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and address extreme weather events. • Apply resilience and adaptation practices at different scales (local, regional, global). • Interdisciplinary Approach and Collaboration • Utilize knowledge from various scientific fields (meteorology, ecology, geography, social sciences) to achieve a holistic understanding of the issues. • Collaborate in teams to develop proposals and solutions, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches. 6.Communication and Awareness • Present scientific data and information about climate change and extreme phenomena clearly and effectively. • Contribute to raising public awareness and promoting sustainable practices. • These learning outcomes ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to address challenges related to climate change and extreme weather phenomena at scientific, professional, and societal levels.
General Competences
  • Apply knowledge in practice
  • Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
  • Work autonomously
  • Work in an interdisciplinary team
Course Content (Syllabus)
Geological time scale. Geological eras and climate evolution. Proxy Data and Dating Methods. Natural Cause Climate Changes. Movements of the continents on the surface of the earth. Wegener's theory. Volcanoes - Volcanic Eruptions. Changes in Earth's Position and Motion – Milankovitch's Astronomical Theory. Solar Activity – Sunspots. Climate Change in the Future. Anthropogenic Effects. Future Scenarios. The greenhouse effect. The role of climate models for the future projections. Statistical and dynamical downscaling. Future climate estimations on a global scale. Future climate temperature and precipitation changes over Europe and the Mediterranean region. Climate change and water. Definition of Extreme Weather Events (frequency, intensity, severity). Impacts to humans, the environment and the ecosystems. Future estimations of the extreme weather events. Study of their potential changes. Future estimations. Prevention and adaptation measures.
Keywords
Climate Change, present simulations, future projections, palaeoclimatology, extreme temperature, extreme precipitation, impacts
Educational Material Types
  • Notes
  • Slide presentations
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
  • Use of ICT in Course Teaching
  • Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
  • Use of ICT in Communication with Students
  • Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Description
1) All class material is available in electronic form to all students through the course web page, as well within the E-Learning platforms of the Aristotle Univ. Thessaloniki 2) The teacher communicates with students through email and Facebook 3) The teacher/class evaluation is performed by the students through the Quality Assurance Unit (MO.DI.P.)
Course Organization
ActivitiesWorkloadECTSIndividualTeamworkErasmus
Lectures15✓✓
Laboratory Work15✓✓✓
Reading Assigment50✓✓
Project10✓✓
Written assigments7✓✓
Exams3✓✓
Total100
Student Assessment
Description
Written final examination with short questions in combination to a given project and a written report. Oral examination for students with learning disabilities.
Student Assessment methods
  • Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Assignment (Formative, Summative)
  • Oral Exams (Formative, Summative)
  • Report (Formative, Summative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
• Η μετεωρολογία σήμερα. Ahrens and Henson, ΚΩΔΙΚΟΣ ΕΥΔΟΞΟΥ: 102072114
Additional bibliography for study
• AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023 • AR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability • AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis
Last Update
01-03-2025