The International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is hosting the summer school, "The Modeling of Arctic Climate," on 26 May - 7 June 2008.Arctic climate is the result of complex interplay between the atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, and a terrestrial component in which freezing and thawing are critical to variations over a range of
timescales. In view of the delicate balances between these components and their poorly documented sensitivities, it is not surprising that global climate models show the largest disagreement among themselves, and also the strongest greenhouse-induced changes, in the polar regions. Since changes in the Arctic may well have global implications, it is essential that arctic climate simulations be enhanced in order to reduce the uncertainties in projections of climate change.
The two-week summer school will bring together graduate students, young scientists, and specialists in arctic climate and climate modeling in order to convey to a new generation of scientists the opportunities and challenges of arctic climate modeling. Specifically, young scientists will gain:
- perspectives on the key issues in arctic climate from observational, diagnostic, and modeling perspectives;
- exposure to the types of models used in addressing arctic climate and climate change; and
- hands-on experience in the analysis of climate model output or climate model experimentation at a level consistent with the students' expertise.
The summer school will consist of background pedagogical lectures in the mornings and mini-projects and informal discussions in the afternoons. The mini-projects will be performed in collaboration with faculty members or lecturers, and will utilize existing databases and available models. Students will have access to personal computers and workstations for their mini-projects, on which they will give short presentations at the end of the two-week period. The first week will be spent in Fairbanks, Alaska, and the second week in Barrow, Alaska, in coordination with the Barrow Arctic Sciences Consortium (BASC).
Key topics to be covered in the lectures include, but are not limited to:
- Arctic climate: key characteristics and processes;
- Feedbacks in the arctic system (e.g., surface albedo, clouds, water vapor, circulation);
- Arctic climate variations: past, ongoing, and projected;
- Energy balance and single-column models applied to the Arctic;
- Global climate models: an overview;
- Modeling of the sea ice and the Arctic Ocean;
- Modeling of frozen soil regimes, especially permafrost;
- Arctic ecosystems and climate change; and
- Trace gases, aerosols, and chemistry: importance for climate changes.
IARC will provide support for travel, on-campus lodging, and meals through funding from the National Science Foundation and BASC. IARC will also provide the facilities for the lectures, discussions, and computer-based activities that comprise the program.
Graduate students and young scientists in relevant fields are encouraged to apply for participation and financial support in the summer school. Advanced undergraduate students with strong qualifications will also be considered. Applications should be sent as early as possible, but no later than Friday, 1 February 2008, to:
Chris Lace
International Arctic Research Center
University of Alaska
930 Koyukuk Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Phone: 907-474-7413
Decisions about admission and financial support will be made by 21 February 2008, for applications received by the deadline. Late applications will be considered at a later time depending on availability. Applicants should submit a one-page statement of interest, short resume that includes academic background, and letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor.
For further information, please visit their website.
timescales. In view of the delicate balances between these components and their poorly documented sensitivities, it is not surprising that global climate models show the largest disagreement among themselves, and also the strongest greenhouse-induced changes, in the polar regions. Since changes in the Arctic may well have global implications, it is essential that arctic climate simulations be enhanced in order to reduce the uncertainties in projections of climate change.
The two-week summer school will bring together graduate students, young scientists, and specialists in arctic climate and climate modeling in order to convey to a new generation of scientists the opportunities and challenges of arctic climate modeling. Specifically, young scientists will gain:
- perspectives on the key issues in arctic climate from observational, diagnostic, and modeling perspectives;
- exposure to the types of models used in addressing arctic climate and climate change; and
- hands-on experience in the analysis of climate model output or climate model experimentation at a level consistent with the students' expertise.
The summer school will consist of background pedagogical lectures in the mornings and mini-projects and informal discussions in the afternoons. The mini-projects will be performed in collaboration with faculty members or lecturers, and will utilize existing databases and available models. Students will have access to personal computers and workstations for their mini-projects, on which they will give short presentations at the end of the two-week period. The first week will be spent in Fairbanks, Alaska, and the second week in Barrow, Alaska, in coordination with the Barrow Arctic Sciences Consortium (BASC).
Key topics to be covered in the lectures include, but are not limited to:
- Arctic climate: key characteristics and processes;
- Feedbacks in the arctic system (e.g., surface albedo, clouds, water vapor, circulation);
- Arctic climate variations: past, ongoing, and projected;
- Energy balance and single-column models applied to the Arctic;
- Global climate models: an overview;
- Modeling of the sea ice and the Arctic Ocean;
- Modeling of frozen soil regimes, especially permafrost;
- Arctic ecosystems and climate change; and
- Trace gases, aerosols, and chemistry: importance for climate changes.
IARC will provide support for travel, on-campus lodging, and meals through funding from the National Science Foundation and BASC. IARC will also provide the facilities for the lectures, discussions, and computer-based activities that comprise the program.
Graduate students and young scientists in relevant fields are encouraged to apply for participation and financial support in the summer school. Advanced undergraduate students with strong qualifications will also be considered. Applications should be sent as early as possible, but no later than Friday, 1 February 2008, to:
Chris Lace
International Arctic Research Center
University of Alaska
930 Koyukuk Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Phone: 907-474-7413
Decisions about admission and financial support will be made by 21 February 2008, for applications received by the deadline. Late applications will be considered at a later time depending on availability. Applicants should submit a one-page statement of interest, short resume that includes academic background, and letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor.
For further information, please visit their website.