Undergraduate Course: Earth's Atmospheric Composition (EASC10098)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Earth Science |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://sites.google.com/site/palmerteachinglab/atmoscomp |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The chemical composition of the atmosphere is important for understanding Earth's climate. We will explore the chemical composition of the atmosphere, with an emphasis on the troposphere that includes the air in which we live and breathe, and the surface processes and atmospheric chemistry and transport that determine its variability. We will cover the fundamentals of atmospheric chemistry (kinetics, photolysis, spectroscopy) so there is no chemistry pre-requisite to this course. The course, as described below, is focused on delivering content using online material, in-class interaction, problem sets and additional reading. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Earth Modelling and Prediction 2 (EASC08018)
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | The Course Organiser will consider suitable courses equivalent to Earth Modelling and Prediction 2 (EASC08018). |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
|
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Online Activities 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
68 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
67 %,
Coursework
33 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand the role of atmospheric transport, land-surface processes, and atmospheric chemistry on observed atmospheric composition.
2. Be able to perform and interpret quantitative calculations associated with measurements of atmospheric composition.
3. Appreciate how atmospheric chemistry transport models are formulated, and understand simplified inverse models. |
Assessment Information
Written Exam: 67%, Course Work: 33 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
Course Work
A 500-word essay, with the subject chosen by the student after discussion with the lecturer. The essay should include the topics discussed in the course (see Assessment Topics link below).
Assessment Details
http://sites.google.com/site/palmerteachinglab/atmoscomp/researchessay
Assessment Topics
https://sites.google.com/site/palmerteachinglab/atmoscomp/article-topics
Lecture Material on Assessment
http://sites.google.com/site/palmerteachinglab/atmoscomp/online_material/Writing500words.pptx |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Week 1
Introduction; atmospheric properties; chemical kinetics.
Week 2
Stratospheric chemistry.
Week 3
Tropospheric chemistry 1: Electromagnetic spectrum; hydroxyl radical; oxidation of methane and carbon monoxide; and cycling of hydrogen oxides.
Week 4
Tropospheric chemistry 2: Nitrogen oxides; tropospheric ozone; ozone formation and control strategies.
Week 5
Tropospheric chemistry 3: Surface emissions and deposition processes.
Week 6
Tropospheric chemistry 4: Aerosols.
Week 7
Atmospheric chemistry and transport; inverse models.
Week 8
Global carbon cycle; CH4 and N2O bio-geochemical cycles; isotopes.
Week 9
Chemistry-climate interactions; air quality.
Week 10
Reserved for completing research essay.
The content ordering of this course may change, although the content will remain the same. |
| Transferable skills |
Quantitative analysis; written skills |
| Reading list |
Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry, Jacob (Recommended)
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Seinfeld and Pandis |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Lecture based, group work. |
| Keywords | Atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric transport, aerosols, inverse methods |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Paul Palmer
Tel: (0131 6)50 7724
Email: Paul.Palmer@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Ken O'Neill
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: koneill3@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
|
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