This course is delivered by Prof Chris Holloway. It runs from January to April 2026.
This course explores weather systems and circulations in the tropical atmosphere, such as:
- convection
- the intertropical convergence zone
- the Hadley and Walker Circulations
- the El Nino-Southern Oscillation
- the Madden-Julian Oscillation
- tropical cyclones.
To pass the course, you will need to achieve an overall passing mark, based on an average of the best four out of five problem sets.
Timetabled sessions in 2026
There will be six timetabled online live classes, one on each of these weeks
- 19-23 January
- 2-6 February
- 16-20 February
- 2-6 March
- 16-20 March
- 20-24 April
Times to be arranged in consultation with those enrolled.
Prerequisites
- A working knowledge of A-level Mathematics or equivalent, including good knowledge of:
- Integration and differentiation
- Trigonometry
- Vectors
- Exponentials and logarithms
- Quantities and units in mechanics
- Kinematics
- Forces and Newton’s laws
- A pass equivalent to a 2.1 in an undergraduate module in meteorology or atmospheric science or the online course Fundamentals of Meteorology, or equivalent, including:
- Ideal gas law
- Hydrostatic balance
- Geostrophic balance in terms of pressure and geopotential height
Read the Terms and Conditions for Meteorology Online Courses.
Application
Apply by 5 January 2026.
Further Learning
Find out about The Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading's premium online courses and open online courses.