Students studying atmospheric science will gain an understanding of many areas of the nature of the earth's atmosphere and many problems faced by the atmosphere. In particular they will gain:
Atmospheric science covers the fields of climatology and meteorology as well as modern environmental issues related to the atmosphere. It is a multi-departmental discipline drawing on the strengths of applied mathematics and physical geography. Concepts in chemistry, physics and a range of scientific disciplines are also important. Subjects available on an individual basis to all students or as a discipline of up to sixteen points at second year and up to twenty-four points at third year. Students who want to major in the discipline at third year are advised to enrol initially in the second year subjects, however this is not essential.
The atmospheric science discipline is supported by the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. Cooperation between these departments in atmospheric science is largely maintained through the Centre for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography. It is also supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Southern Hemisphere Meteorology located on the Clayton campus of Monash. This centre is a collaborative effort between Monash University (Department of Mathematics), the Bureau of Meteorology, the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research and Applied Physics and Silicon Graphics Incorporated. The CRCSHM has three linked strategic research programs on stratospheric ozone, global transport modelling and climate dynamics, together with an education program and a technology transfer and communication program.
Holton J R An introduction to dynamic meteorology 3rd edn, Academic Press, 1992
Sturman A P and Tapper N J The weather and climate of Australia and New Zealand Oxford University Press, 1996
Coordinator: Dr Steve Siems (Department of Mathematics)
There are no formal atmospheric science subjects offered at first year. Prerequisite for second-year core ATM subjects, however, require a minimum of one subject in mathematics; either MAT1010 or MAT1050. It is strongly recommended that students complete a sequence with either MAT1020 or MAT1080. The first-year sequence in geography and environmental science, GES1000 and GES1020, is also highly recommended. Finally, as atmospheric science is a broadly based discipline, a sequence in at least one of physics or chemistry is recommended.
Students taking atmospheric science as a sixteen-point discipline at second year should take the four core subjects ATM2121, ATM2132, ATM2211 and ATM2242. Students need to be aware that additional prerequisites exist for some third-year atmospheric science subjects. Students planning to major in atmospheric science in third year should also take MAT2030 and MAT2040 and an eight-point sequence in geography and environmental science. Students taking MAT2030 and MAT2040 in second year are also eligible to take ATM3172 in the same year; this is encouraged.
Students taking atmospheric science as a twenty-four points discipline at third year should take the five core subjects: ATM3121, ATM3162, ATM3172, ATM3211 and ATM3252; though some substitution may be allowed by subjects not yet taken at second year. If ATM3172 has been taken at second year, students may take either ATM3131 or ATM3141.
Students wanting to progress to honours studies may do so in either the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. Students must have fulfilled the honours requirements of the appropriate department. In either case entry requires an average of a credit grade in at least twenty-four points of appropriate third-year level subjects. In mathematics, students will need to have taken the third-year core in atmospheric science and an additional twelve points in mathematics. Similarly in geography and environmental science, students will need to have taken the third-year core in atmospheric science and an additional twelve points in geography and environmental science.
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