Atmospheric Environments

Description

The main goal of this course is to provide an appreciation of research approaches in atmospheric science. The main focus is on atmospheric processes near the ground, including surface radiational and turbulent heat, moisture and material exchanges, and the development and characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer. Building on this background knowledge, students are introduced to atmospheric processes over varying surface types as well as complex terrain, which often produce local wind systems and other local climate variations that have significance for human activity. Having covered the key atmospheric boundary layer processes, applications to such problems as air pollution dispersion, wind energy and agriculture will be covered. In addition, atmospheric modelling techniques will also be introduced through idealised simulations and analysis of results.