Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

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

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 climate system; weather prediction; greenhouse climate change; ozone depletion, and other large-scale atmospheric and oceanic phenomena such as the mid-latitude westerlies, frontal systems and ocean gyres.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 60%
Field trip, assignments and tests and support-class activities: 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Richard Wardle

Contact hours

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

Prerequisites

MTH1030 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ATM3022, ATM2022