Summer School Announcement
The Modeling of Arctic Climate
26 May - 7 June 2008
International Arctic Research Center
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Application Deadline: Friday, 1 February 2008
For further information, please go to:
http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/education_outreach/summer/2008/
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
E-mail: clace [at] iarc.uaf.edu
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 go to:
http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/education_outreach/summer/2008/