Students studying atmospheric science will gain an understanding of the nature of the earth's atmosphere, atmospheric processes and many problems faced by the atmosphere. In particular they will gain:
Atmospheric science includes the study of our earth's climate and weather as well as modern environmental issues related to our atmosphere. It is a multi-departmental discipline drawing on the strengths of environmental science, applied mathematics, physical geography and earth sciences. Subjects are available on an individual basis or as a sixteen-point minor or major sequence at second year and a twenty-four point major sequence at third year.
The atmospheric science program is supported by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Department of Geography and Environmental Science and the Cooperative Research Centre for Southern Hemisphere Meteorology (Meteorology CRC). The Meteorology CRC, located on the Clayton campus, is a collaborative effort between Monash University (Department of Mathematics and Statistics), the Bureau of Meteorology, the CSIRO Divisions of Atmospheric Research and Telecommunications and Industrial Physics and Silicon Graphics Incorporated. The Meteorology CRC 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
Website http://www.meteorology.monash.edu.au/
Dr Steve Siems (Department of Mathematics and Statistics), Associate Professor Nigel Tapper (Department of Geography and Environmental Science)
There are no formal atmospheric science subjects offered at first year. Prerequisites for second-year core atmospheric science subjects, however, require a minimum of one subject in mathematics; either MAT1010 or MAT1050. It is recommended that students complete a first-year sequence in mathematics 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 either physics or chemistry is recommended.
Students taking atmospheric science as a sixteen-point sequence at second year should take ATM2121 and ATM2211 as well as two subjects from ATM2132, ATM2242 and ATM2312. Students need to be aware that additional prerequisites exist for some of the third-year ATM subjects. Students planning to major in atmospheric science in third year should also take MAT2030 and MAT2040. Students taking MAT2030 and MAT2040 are eligible to take ATM3172 at second year. An eight-point sequence in geography and environmental science is recommended.
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 choosing to advance to honours studies in atmospheric science should enrol in ATM4000. Students may enter ATM4000 through satisfactory third-year work in either atmospheric science, mathematics or geography and environmental science. ATM4000 is a full-year (forty-eight point) subject that satisfies the requirements for a BSc (Honours) degree. Students will further develop their research skills through individual research projects supervised by staff members. ATM4000 also offers lectures on advanced topics and a team environment for field work.
Students also have the option of studying atmospheric science at the honours level through either the Department of Mathematics and Statistics or the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. Students choosing this option should see the corresponding entries in this handbook.