Modelling class/workshop: Difference between revisions

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==Brainstorming agenda and notes==
#Opening up the session '''notes with bold'''
#When should this class be held? (10 min)
#*The suggestion from students was November-December (say before AGU fall meeting), is that too optimistic?
#*'''It was decided that January would be better'''
#**Anything outside the 13-15th would work. Best would be either 6th-10th or 19-23th of January 2014
#Topics of the class and time plan (20 min)
#*Should something be added or taken away?
#*Does the time plan seem reasonable? Is the order of things reasonable, is there too little time?
#*'''See the learning outcomes'''
#Lectures/lecturers (40 min)
#*We would suggest to have two sessions each day. Each sessions would have approximately 2 lectures and assigned organisers. They could then keep the lectures on their own or invite someone else to speak.
#*Sessions could be also workshop type: 1 lecture after which discussion about the topic based on the lecture and some previously assigned literature.
#*'''See the learning outcomes'''
#**The workshop type lecturing was supported
#*Assigning organisers/speakers
#Sensitivity studies (20 min)
#*Should be relatively easy to set up and run, but at the same time interesting enough
#*Suggestions include: different grids, time stepping (probably not possible), slab ocean vs full ocean, land-use etc.
#*Is this feasible?
#*'''It was decided that although most interesting for some, it should not be part of this class'''
#**There is a ResClim downscaling class planned for next summer (more hands-on)
#Wrapping up (15 min)
#*Does everyone know what to do to make this happen?
#*Suggestions or other ideas we should still consider?
#*'''Named people will contact outside lecturers'''
#*'''Students will have a short meeting together to see if the plan is suitable and to discuss the structure a bit'''
#Next meeting (5 min)
#*Probably one short meeting required with everyone involved before the class starts
==Motivation==
==Motivation==
Many of us are using modelling more or less extensively as a part of our thesis and even if one wouldn’t be using any model, it would be very beneficial to have some knowledge about model set-up just to be able to read the literature and analyse the data. Also it is relatively easy to get access to different model codes in general and even set up an experiment. However, it might be often be that the user doesn't understand all (or maybe any of) the issues related to the set-up and in the worst case one might try to interpret some model artefacts as meaningful results. We hope this course could give some insight in these issues.
Many of us are using modelling more or less extensively as a part of our thesis and even if one wouldn’t be using any model, it would be very beneficial to have some knowledge about model set-up just to be able to read the literature and analyse the data. Also it is relatively easy to get access to different model codes in general and even set up an experiment. However, it might be often be that the user doesn't understand all (or maybe any of) the issues related to the set-up and in the worst case one might try to interpret some model artefacts as meaningful results. We hope this course could give some insight in these issues.
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*Learn how different processes are represented in different types of models
*Learn how different processes are represented in different types of models
**Why and what does it mean in terms of using the model
*Why and what does it mean in terms of using the model
*Additionally for those who are interested
**Run some rather simple sensitivity tests to get an idea how these things work in practise
**Test different parameterizations, grids, solar radiation, land-use, Coriolis parameter, slab vs. full ocean
**This could be done with 'tutor' idea, people who have previous modelling experience would join together with the less experienced ones
<!--*The analysis of the results would be probably interesting, but not in the main role of this course.
**However, students would deliver a short report and a seminar (reports could be at least a in house source for validation)-->


==Learning outcomes==
==Learning outcomes==
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*Note: it's obvious that each of these topics could be made into a semester long class, so some narrowing down has to happen.
*Note: it's obvious that each of these topics could be made into a semester long class, so some narrowing down has to happen.


==On-line resources==
==Time Plan==
* [http://stratus.astr.ucl.ac.be/textbook/contents.html Hugue Goosse's climate dynamics and modelling book]
* [http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/01/is-climate-modelling-science/ RealClimate article]


==Time Plan==
The class would be based on lectures and discussion session about lectures and pre-assigned literature. The idealised order is given below. Some flexibility is of course possible.
*One week intensive lectures and optional setting-up
**~5 days of lectures
**Optionally
***1-2 days of setting up the model experiments (some overlap with the lectures)
***Period of one month for running the experiments and analysing the data
***1 day for the final seminars (arranged as webinar)
<!--****In addition also a short written report with the main findings?-->


===Detailed Time Plan [suggestions for Organisers]===
===Detailed Time Plan [suggestions for Organisers]===
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'''General Intro''': Taxonomy of models, What models are out there and what are they used for. Predictability, philosophy of models
=== Part I: General Intro (Mo) ===


'''Monday topics''' (1 lecture for each)
The idea is to give a give a general overview of what models exists and what they are used for. It should lead towards the specific modelling problems that we picked for the following days. More philosophical thoughts on the limits of modelling both for making predictions and for gaining understanding are welcome, especially for the discussion slots on Monday.
*Basic Equations, approximation
 
'''Specific topics for Monday:''' (1 lecture for each)
*Basic Equations, approximation, predictability
*Discretization, resolution, parameterization, conservation of properties
*Discretization, resolution, parameterization, conservation of properties
*Initializations, Boundary conditions, coupling, super-parameterization
*Initializations, Boundary conditions
 
=== Part II: Topic days (Tu &mdash; Fr) ===
 
For a few selected topics, the following questions should be answered
#On which scales to I have to consider which effects (and what happens if I don't)?
#How is it treated in models of varying complexity?
 
In order to better tie the related topics together, the first (maybe shorter) lecture of the day could introduce the theme and suggest some links between the topics.
 
'''Specific topics for Tuesday''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)


'''Tuesday topics''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)
*Coupling, nesting, super-parameterization
*Topography
*Bathymetry/Topography, Internal waves
*Internal waves


'''Wednesday Topics''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)
'''Specific topics for Wednesday''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)
*Mixing/Turbulence
*Mixing/Turbulence
*Convection
*Convection


'''Thursday Topics''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)
'''Specific topics for Thursday''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)
*Cloud Microphysics
*Cloud Microphysics
*Radiation
*Radiation


'''Friday Topics''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)
'''Specific topics for Friday''' (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)
*Surface: vegetation, land surface, ice & snow
*Surface I: Air-sea interaction, from AGCM+slab-ocean / OGCM+prescribed wind stresses to coupled AOGCMs
*Surface II: EITHER Vegetation & land surface OR ice & snow depending on lecturer


NOTE! While these topics might be wide we are looking for lectures about their representation in models, dis/advantages, differences, and what do the choices matter. We are not looking for broad lecture on the physical process as such.
=== Timing ===
 
20th-24th January
'''Timing'''
Preferably 25th-29th November, or if not then 27th-31th January




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**The University of Helsinki/Finnish met institute is offering a class, where they choose a different model each time and do some specific tests and write a short report. This class is also offered as a web-course for anyone interested.
**The University of Helsinki/Finnish met institute is offering a class, where they choose a different model each time and do some specific tests and write a short report. This class is also offered as a web-course for anyone interested.
**There is also a the European Earth System and Climate Modelling School lead by the NCAS & MPI-M, the length is similar.
**There is also a the European Earth System and Climate Modelling School lead by the NCAS & MPI-M, the length is similar.
==Online resources==
* [http://stratus.astr.ucl.ac.be/textbook/contents.html Hugue Goosse's climate dynamics and modelling book]
* [http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/01/is-climate-modelling-science/ RealClimate article]

Latest revision as of 06:08, 2 October 2013

Motivation

Many of us are using modelling more or less extensively as a part of our thesis and even if one wouldn’t be using any model, it would be very beneficial to have some knowledge about model set-up just to be able to read the literature and analyse the data. Also it is relatively easy to get access to different model codes in general and even set up an experiment. However, it might be often be that the user doesn't understand all (or maybe any of) the issues related to the set-up and in the worst case one might try to interpret some model artefacts as meaningful results. We hope this course could give some insight in these issues.

The idea in short

  • Learn how different processes are represented in different types of models
  • Why and what does it mean in terms of using the model

Learning outcomes

  • Learn some fundamentals of different type of models
    • What type of questions can be answered with full climate models, ocean/atmosphere stand-alone, regional scale etc.
  • Process approach: go trough some of the most challenging aspects in modelling and how are they solved in different type of models and what consequences does this have
  • Topics:
    • Model set-up/design, 1st day, how to build a model
      • Basic equations
      • Discretizations (Mats: unstructured grids, volume vs spectral, dis/advantages)
      • approximations (non-hydrostatic vs hydrostatic)
      • resolution
      • coupling
      • predictability (Francois Counillon)
      • super-parameterizations
      • Boundary conditions
      • Initialization
      • Conservation of properties
    • Parameterizations for missing [physical] processes (rest of the week)
      • Convection (Mats, Thomas T knows Steve)
      • Mixing (Mehmet, Robert Hallberg, Alistair Adcroft, Markus Jochum)
      • Topography (Pål Erik Isachsen)
      • Internal waves (Jonas Nycander, Jarle Berntsen)
      • Surface (Thomas knows a guy)
      • Radiation (Thomas T)
      • Cloud microphysics (Trond Iversen, Jon-Egill Kristjansson, from Oslo)
    • Special topics for 1-1/2 day depending on time/lecturers
      • sea-ice/land ice/carbon (Petra, Kerim, Pierre Rampal, Cristoph Heinze)
  • Note: it's obvious that each of these topics could be made into a semester long class, so some narrowing down has to happen.

Time Plan

The class would be based on lectures and discussion session about lectures and pre-assigned literature. The idealised order is given below. Some flexibility is of course possible.

Detailed Time Plan [suggestions for Organisers]

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9-10 General Intro Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture
10-11 Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture
11-12 Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion
12-13 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
13-14 Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture
14-15 Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion
15-16 Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture
16-17 Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion


Part I: General Intro (Mo)

The idea is to give a give a general overview of what models exists and what they are used for. It should lead towards the specific modelling problems that we picked for the following days. More philosophical thoughts on the limits of modelling both for making predictions and for gaining understanding are welcome, especially for the discussion slots on Monday.

Specific topics for Monday: (1 lecture for each)

  • Basic Equations, approximation, predictability
  • Discretization, resolution, parameterization, conservation of properties
  • Initializations, Boundary conditions

Part II: Topic days (Tu — Fr)

For a few selected topics, the following questions should be answered

  1. On which scales to I have to consider which effects (and what happens if I don't)?
  2. How is it treated in models of varying complexity?

In order to better tie the related topics together, the first (maybe shorter) lecture of the day could introduce the theme and suggest some links between the topics.

Specific topics for Tuesday (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)

  • Coupling, nesting, super-parameterization
  • Bathymetry/Topography, Internal waves

Specific topics for Wednesday (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)

  • Mixing/Turbulence
  • Convection

Specific topics for Thursday (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)

  • Cloud Microphysics
  • Radiation

Specific topics for Friday (2 lectures for both or as the lecturer(s) want to separate)

  • Surface I: Air-sea interaction, from AGCM+slab-ocean / OGCM+prescribed wind stresses to coupled AOGCMs
  • Surface II: EITHER Vegetation & land surface OR ice & snow depending on lecturer

Timing

20th-24th January


Funding

Tore Furevik: typically around 50 Knok + travel and accommodation for all participants. This covers travel and accommodation for one or two lecturers plus some lecture fees at standard UiB rates.

Questions to find out and solve

  • Examples of the somewhat similar ones out there already?
    • Stockholm University is offering a class titled "introduction to climate modelling"
    • The University of Helsinki/Finnish met institute is offering a class, where they choose a different model each time and do some specific tests and write a short report. This class is also offered as a web-course for anyone interested.
    • There is also a the European Earth System and Climate Modelling School lead by the NCAS & MPI-M, the length is similar.

Online resources

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