Lecture schedule: MWF 10:45-11:35am
Classroom: 820 WBB
Instructor: Prof. Zhaoxia Pu,
Office: (801)585-3864, Zhaoxia.Pu@utah.edu, http://home.chpc.utah.edu/~pu/
Office hour: Mon & Fri: 11:40am-12:10pm
Course Objectives:
This course provides an intermediate-level introduction to the atmospheric sciences for both atmospheric science majors and other scientists and engineers. Topics include the structure of atmosphere, atmospheric thermodynamics, cloud physics, radiative transfer, and atmospheric dynamics. This course is the first of a series of theoretical and practical courses that you will take to qualify yourself as a meteorologist or atmospheric scientist. Students in other related majors will also gain a conmprehensive background in atmospheric sciences from this class.
Main Topics:
Basic math review
Atmospheric composition and mean state
Atmospheric thermodynamics
Atmospheric aerosol and cloud microphysical processes
Radiative transfer
Atmospheric dynamics
Prerequisite: ATMOS 1010; MATH 1210 and 1220; PHYS 2210; or instructor's permission
Required Textbook:
Wallace, J. M., and P. V. Hobbs, Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey (Second Edition), Academic Press, 2006. ( Errata : click linked pdf here)
Grading Policy:
Grades will be based on your performance on the homework exercises, exams, and the class participation. The weighted contribution of each of these items to your final grade is given below:
35% Homework
15% Exam 1: Atmospheric composition and mean state & math review
15% Exam 2: Atmospheric thermodynamics
15% Exam 3: Cloud microphysics
15% Exam 4: Radiative transfer and atmospheric dynamics
5% Attendance
[Note: There will be no final exam].
Final grades are based on the following scale:
>90 % guarantees an A or A-
>80 % guarantees a B+, B, or B-
>70 % guarantees a C+, C, or C-
>60 % guarantees a D+, D, or D-
<60% results in an E
