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Degree Regulations & Programmes of Study 2010/2011
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Meteorology

Undergraduate Course: Atmospheric Physics (METE10002)

Course Outline
School School of Geosciences College College of Science and Engineering
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) Credits 10
Home subject area Meteorology Other subject area None
Course website None
Course description Atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics are initially reviewed, then the spatial and temporal structure of the atmospheric boundary layer is studied, beginning with a dry convective layer and then considering a cloud-topped layer.
The second half of the course considers the physics of atmospheric aerosols, in particular how aerosols are involved in the formation of clouds, how aerosols and clouds interact with radiation, how aerosols affect climate, and how aerosols act as air pollutants.
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Mathematical Methods for Geophysicists (EASC09021)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites None
Prospectus website http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/visiting-exchange/courses
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
King's BuildingsLecture1-11 14:00 - 14:50
King's BuildingsLecture1-11 14:00 - 14:50
First Class Week 1, Tuesday, 14:00 - 14:50, Zone: King's Buildings. Lecture - Room 5326, JCMB
Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Part-year visiting students only (VV1) WebCT enabled:  No Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
King's BuildingsLecture1-11 14:00 - 14:50
King's BuildingsLecture1-11 14:00 - 14:50
First Class Week 1, Tuesday, 14:00 - 14:50, Zone: King's Buildings. Lecture - Room 5326, JCMB
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a detailed, integrated knowledge and understanding of atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics and it is intended that a student will be able to:

- describe in detail the spatial and temporal variation of typical convective and stable boundary layers in terms of temperature, moisture content and winds
- explain the physical processes that give rise to these structures
- critically understand the nature of turbulent fluxes of heat and moisture and derive their variation with height, given temporal changes of structure in simple situations
- determine the static and dynamic stability of atmospheric layers
- discuss the sources and sinks of turbulent kinetic energy
- describe the various sources of atmospheric aerosols
- have a critical understanding of the processes (formation, growth, removal) that lead to observed aerosol size distributions in different environments
- describe the physics of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation
- understand the physics described by Kohler curves, and how aerosols can become cloud condensation nuclei
- describe the physics of how cloud droplets grow by condensation and collision
- understand how aerosols interact with solar and terrestrial radiation
- understand how aerosols can modify clouds
- understand the concept of radiative forcing, in the context of how aerosols affect climate, and be able to compare the anthropogenic climate forcing from aerosols with that from greenhouse gases
- understand how aerosols act as air pollutants, and how air pollution can be modelled.
- make decisions where information is limited or comes from a range of sources.

Students will also be expected to offer professional level insights and critically identify and analyse complex problems as part of the degree exam.
Assessment Information
Examination at the end of First Semester - December
Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information
Special Arrangements
Not entered
Contacts
Course organiser Dr Richard Essery
Tel:
Email: Richard.Essery@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary Mrs Helen Mckeating
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: Helen.McKeating@ed.ac.uk
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh - 1 September 2010 6:20 am