ATM2020 - Large-scale weather and climate

Leader: Dr Richard Wardle (School of Mathematical Sciences)

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit provides the opportunity for students to understand the weather and climate of the lower atmosphere. Topics discussed include: the characteristics of the atmosphere, radiation and the global energy balance, the greenhouse effect and climate change, radiative-convective equilibrium, dry convection, the global wind distribution, Hadley circulation, mid-latitude westerlies, global heat and momentum balance, geostrophic wind, thermal wind, extratropical cyclones, anticyclones and fronts.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will understand the physical basis of the weather and climate on scales ranging from 1000 km up to that of the globe. In particular, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the conservation of energy and momentum as applied to the Earth's atmosphere; weather prediction; greenhouse climate change; Antarctic ozone depletion, and other large-scale atmospheric phenomena such as the mid-latitude westerlies and frontal systems.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 50%
Laboratory work: 15%
Field Trip: 10%
Assignments and tests: 25%

Contact hours

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

Prerequisites

MTH1030 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ATM3022, ATM2022