Course Description
An introduction to the physics of the atmosphere with emphasis on the laws of radiation, solar and terrestrial radiation, surface and atmospheric energy balances, cloud physics, precipitation formation, and atmospheric optical and electrical phenomena.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students will be required to submit an additional literature review and/or research project related to atmospheric radiation and precipitation processes. Possible research projects or literature review topics include: the physics of solar and terrestrial radiation, interactions between land-water-air surfaces, general climate models, and atmospheric electricity. Graduate students will be required to review a journal article as part of their exam.
Athena Title
Intro Atmospheric Physics
Prerequisite
MATH 2500 and (PHYS 1212-1212L or PHYS 1312-1312L)
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
MATH 2700 and (CHEM 1211 or CHEM 1311H or CHEM 1411) and (CSCI 1301-1301L or ENGR 1140)
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Textbooks: An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics, Fleagle and Businger A Climate Modelling Primer, McGuffie & Sellers Course Objectives or Expected Learning Outcomes This course is designed to meet the atmospheric physics (physical meteorology) course requirement for civil service employment as an atmospheric scientists. 1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of solar and terrestrial radiation. 2. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of energy transfer processes between the earth=s surface and the atmosphere. 3. Students will be able to demonstrate and understanding of waves in the atmosphere and atmospheric signal phenomena. 4. Students will be able to demonstrate and understanding of the Properties and Behavior of Cloud Particles.
Topical Outline
SOLAR AND TERRESTRIAL RADIATION Week 1: Principles of Radiative Transfer Laboratory: None the first week. Week 2: Solar Radiation Laboratory 1: Fundamental of atmospheric models I Week 3: Effects of Absorption and Emission Laboratory 2: Fundamental of atmospheric models II Week 4: Photochemical Processes Laboratory 3: Zero and One Dimensional Energy Balance Models TRANSFER PROCESSES Week 5: Conduction and Turbulence Laboratory 4: Box Models - Another form of energy balance model Week 6: Processes in the Planetary Boundary Layer Laboratory 5: Simple Ocean-Atmosphere Model Week 7: Applications Laboratory 6: Coupled Atmosphere, Land and Ocean Energy Balance Model Week 8: Review of Radiation and Mid-term Examination Laboratory 7:One Dimensional Radiative - Convective Model I ATMOSPHERIC SIGNAL PHENOMENA Week 9: General Properties of Waves Laboratory 8: One Dimensional Radiative - Convective Model II Week 10: Maxwell=s Laws Laboratory 9: Two Dimensional Statistical Dynamic Models Week 11: Scattering of Radiation Laboratory 10: Atmospheric General Circulation Models I Week 12: Natural Signal Phenomena Laboratory 11: Atmospheric General Circulation Models II Week 13: Remote Sensing Laboratory 12: Ocean Circulation Models PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR OF CLOUD PARTICLES Week 14: Growth of Clouds Laboratory 13: Incorporating the cryosphere and vegetation Week 15: Electrical Charge Generation and Its Effects
Syllabus
Public CV