ATM2020

Large-scale weather and climate ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Steven Siems (School of Mathematical Sciences)

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: The phenomena discussed include: greenhouse climate change, the Antarctic ozone hole, El Nino, radiative-convective equilibrium, global wind distribution, Hadley circulation, jet streams, global heat and momentum balance, Monsoon circulations, geostrophic wind, gradient wind, cyclostrophic wind, thermal wind, and extratropical cyclones and anticyclones.

Objectives: On completion of this unit students will understand the physical basis of the weather and climate on scales ranging from 1000km up to that of the globe. In particular, students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the conservation of energy and the coservation of momentum applied to the Earth's atmosphere; weather prediction; greenhouse climate change; antartic ozone depletion, and other large-scale atmospheric phenomena such as the jet streams and monsoons.

Assessment: Examination (3 hours): 50% + Laboratory work: 25% + Assignments: 25%

Contact Hours: Three 1-hour lectures and 2 hours of support classes per week (average).

Prerequisites: MTH1030 or equivalent

Prohibitions: ATM3022, ATM2022