Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modeling
EES 234/434
Global atmospheric models are critical research and policy tools used to understand and predict the weather, climate change, and air pollution. This course provides an applied introduction to the physics, chemistry, and numerical methods underlying simulations of the spatial and temporal evolution of mass, energy, and momentum in planetary atmospheres. Topics include: finite-differencing the equations of atmospheric dynamics, radiative transfer models, numerical methods for solving systems of chemical ordinary differential equations, parameterization of small-scale processes, surface exchanges, inverse modeling, and model evaluation techniques. Assignments focus on the implementation and application of simple models by students; no prior experience with scientific programming will be assumed. Students will also gain experience using state-of-the-science models of atmospheric chemistry and/or climate in a final project of their choosing.
Prerequisites: EES 105 or EES 218 or equivalent, MTH 165 or equivalent, CHM 131-132 or equivalent, PHY 121 or equivalent, or permission of instructor, PHY 255 or equivalent recommended but not required
Last Offered: Spring 2018 Syllabus
Atmospheric Geochemistry
EES 218/418
The atmosphere helps to maintain habitable temperatures on our planet's surface, shields life from destructive cosmic and ultraviolet radiation and contains gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are essential for life. In this course we will work toward an understanding of several important questions. What is in the Earth's atmosphere? What are the sources and sinks of the most important gases in the atmosphere? How does the atmosphere affect the Earth's surface climate? What is the role of photochemistry in atmospheric composition? How does the atmosphere interact with the land and oceans? How has human activity affected the atmosphere?
Prerequisites: EES 101 or 103 or 105, CHM 131 or equivalent, MTH 141-142 or equivalent, CHM 132 or equivalent recommended but not required, Permission of instructor is required for majors other than GEO, EVS and ESP
Last Offered: Spring 2019 Syllabus
Physics of Climate
EES 236/436
A broad and quantitative overview of the basic features of Earth's climate system and the underlying physical processes. Topics include the global energy balance, atmospheric thermodynamics, radiative transfer, cloud microphysics, atmospheric dynamics, general circulation, weather systems, surface processes, ocean circulation, and climate variability and forecasting. Students will understand what drives present-day temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns, as well as major modes of natural climate variability including the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon and Ice Age cycles, and extreme weather. We will learn how the rise of human civilization has influenced the climate system, and how this legacy and our future actions can influence climate in the coming century.
Prerequisites: PHY 121 or equivalent
Last Offered: Fall 2018 Syllabus