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85.501 Boundary Layer MeteorologyCredits: 3
This course draws upon the equations of motion in the atmosphere to develop a theoretical understanding of the atmospheric boundary layer. This understanding is compared with real observations taken with the Department's rawinsonde equipment, as well as published data. The emphasis is on blending theory and practice to enhance the student's understanding of the behavior of the atmosphere.
85.502 Advanced Synoptic MeteorologyCredits: 3
This course is designed for graduate students who have a strong background in mathematics and physics, but whose meteorology preparation is weak. The basic concepts of weather forecasting and analysis on synoptic scales are covered theoretically as well as in application to case studies and current weather. The coursework encourages the development of three - dimensional visualization techniques and an appreciation of the physics which controls weather systems.
85.503 Remote SensingCredits: 3
This course is a survey of ground based, balloon, rocket probe, radar and satellite remote sensing techniques. Optical and radio frequency remote sensing techniques are surveyed. The focus is on the determination of physical, chemical and dynamical quantities by remote sensing measurements. The theory is presented used to interpret data obtained by remote sensing techniques. Various inversion methods are discussed used to obtain spatial discrete quantities from line - of - sight observations. Modeling and simulation techniques are described and practiced.
85.508 The Climate SystemCredits: 3
The main elements of the Climate Sstem are the atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, land surface, and the cryosphere; the primay input of energy is from the Sun. This course examines these elements, the ways in which they interact and how they can be modeled. The Global Energy Budget is examined and both natural and human-caused climae change are considered.
85.511 Solar-Terrestrial RelationsCredits: 3
As part of the solar system the earth and its atmosphere is coupled through the earth's plasmasphere and magnetosphere to the sun's electromagnetic and corpuscular radiation. Starting with a discussion of the upper atmosphere (mesosphere and thermosphere) the course will develop the photo-ionization processes in the ionosphere, and the ground-based and space techniques for the exploration of the upper atmosphere. An introduction will be given to the collisionless plasma processes in the magnetosphere leading to the concept of space weather. Solar activity, coronal mass ejection and solar wind effects on the magnetosphere will be introduced, and the phenomena of magnetic storms and their effects on electrical power systems will be explained.
85.512 Space PhysicsCredits: 3
This course provides knowledge of space phenomena and physical understanding of the plasma environment from the sun to the earths ionosphere and in the heliosphere. Regions in space include solar surface, solar wind, bow shock, magnetosheath, magnetosphere, magnetotail, radiation belts, ring currents, and upper ionosphere. Among space plasma physics theories, single particle theory and magnetohydrodynamics are discussed in depth. Prerequisites: Calculus III and Electromagnetics, or Course 85 511 (Solar-Terrestrial Relations).
85.513 Physical MeteorologyCredits: 3
This course explores the essentials of cloud physics, beginning with the basic laws of thermodynamics of both dry and moist atmospheres. Condensation, nucleation, and drop growth are studied in detail at an advanced level.
The goals of this course are to introduce standard numerical techniques in atmospheric science and to provide a "hands-on" approach to understanding atmoshperic dynamics. The models considered include the barotropic model (mid-lattitude channel and global), the two-layer baroclinic instability model, and the generalized Gill-Matsuno tropical model.
85.515 Atmospheric Structure and DynamicsCredits: 3
The temperature, pressure and density structure of the atmosphere are reviewed, as well as the chemical composition. Topics include atmospheric and solar radiation, atmospheric heat budget and the hypsometric equation. Dynamics of the atmosphere explores the behavior of fluids on a rotating earth, global circulation, synoptic scale motions, perturbation theory of wave motions. Elements of climatic change and the effects of anthropogenic emissions on climate and weather will also be discussed.
85.518 Forecasting and Synoptic Techniques ICredits: 3
This is the first of a two-course sequence that provides graduate students a combined theoretical and applied understanding of synoptic-scale meteorology, with an emphasis on forecasting applications. The first course introduces the concepts of vorticity advection and the quasi-geostrophic approximation, and applies them synoptic-scale cyclones, including noreasters. The graduate students will learn to use Gempak graphics and will be introduced to the National Weather Service Weather Event Simulator, a combined hardware and software package that simulates the NWS forecast environment.
85.519 Forecasting and Synoptic Techniques IICredits: 3
This is the second of a two-course sequence that provides graduate students a combined theoretical and applied understanding of synoptic-scale meteorology, with an emphasis on forecasting applications. This second course builds on the content of the first, extending quasi-geostrophic approximation to Q-vectors and isentropic potential vorticity. The National Weather Service Weather Event Simulator, a combined hardware and software package that stimulates the NWS forecast environment will be used to study case studies that have been programmed for the Simulator. Together with 85.518, this two-course sequence satisfies the NWS certification requirements for analysis and prediction of weather systems.
85.523 Air Pollution ControlCredits: 3
This course describes air pollutants, their characterization, ambient concentrations, effects on human health and the ecology, and the environmental laws and regulations that set standards on emission rates and ambient concentrations. The basics of air pollutant dispersion and transport are also covered. The main focus of the course is on emission control technologies for particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, organic and inorganic toxic pollutants. The following technologies are discussed: cyclones, scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, baghouses, adsorption, absorption and incineration. The automobile and its emission control are reviewed. Alternative methods are also discussed, such as fuel substitution, conservation and efficiency improvement.
85.524 Simple Atmospheric ModelsCredits: 3
The basic wave types and fundamental dynamics of atmospheric motion are considered through analytical and numerical modeling of the main simplifications (models) of the full equations of motion for the atmosphere. These models are derived by making assumptions that greatly simplify the full equations and which isolate individual wave types and specific physical mechanisms. Together, these models describe the basic aspects of atmospheric motion: the maintenance and structure of the jet stream, the genesis and propagation of synoptic storms, and the forced and internal contributions to seasonal patterns of midlatitude climate variability.
85.529 Advanced ForecastingCredits: 3
This course builds on the students basic understanding of storm systems and extends their theoretical knowledge to particular weather patterns. Topics include nowcasting, long-range forecasting, snow squalls, sea breeze, and especially deep convection. Particular attention is paid to the structure and development of supercells. Students will also be required to write a special report on a topic assigned by the professor, and present this in class as a special lecture.
85.550 Satellite and Rad MeteorologyCredits: 3
85.571 Air Pollution PhenomenologyCredits: 3
The course centers on transport, dispersion and transformation of air pollutants in the atmosphere. Atmospheric structure and dynamics are reviewed. The atmospheric dispersion equation is developed for instantaneous and steady- state releases of pollutants, including the Gaussian Plume Equation for point, line and area sources. The sources and transport of particulate matter are discussed, including haze and visibility impairment. Other topics are photooxidants (ozone), acid deposition, stratospheric ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect.
85.574 Air Quality ModelingCredits: 3
85.575 P. Chem for Environmental StudiesCredits: 3
85.581 Meteorology for TeachersCredits: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide the middle school teacher with: a thorough understanding of several key concepts and processes of meteorology; the ability to effectively present meteorology topics that are appropriate for the middle school science classroom; the tools necessary to develop inquiry based lessons for the classroom.
85.591 Directed StudyCredits: 3
85.701 Graduate Research SeminarCredits: 1
85.731 Master's ResearchCredits: 1
85.732 Graduate ResearchCredits: 2
85.733 Master's Research in Atmospheric SciencesCredits: 1-3
85.743 Master's Thesis in Atmospheric SciencesCredits: 1-3
85.753 Doctoral Dissertation in Atmospheric SciencesCredits: 3-8
85.760 Continuing Graduate Research (PhD)Credits: 1-9
Continuing Graduate Research at the PhD level. May be taken for variable credit.
85.761 Continuing Graduate Research (PhD)Credits: 1
Research on dissertation or other research areas as required by the program and the student's advisor.
85.763 PhD Research in Atmospheric SciencesCredits: 2
85.765 Doctoral DissertationCredits: 1-8
85.766 Doctoral DissertationCredits: 6
85.768 Doctoral DissertationCredits: 8
87.504 Geographic Information SystemsCredits: 3
This course will cover most of the elements of a geographic information system commonly found in basic and mid-level GIS applications. Topics will include file organization, data entry including digitizing and image registration, geocoding, thematic mapping, Structured Query Language (SQL) applications, map algebra, raster operations, interpolative methods, distance mapping, density mapping, cost surfaces, and an introduction to modeling. This course will use the Arcview GIS platform.
87.572 Energy and EnvironmentCredits: 3
This course discusses the world and U.S. primary energy resources and consumption, including fossil, nuclear and renewable energy sources. Principles of thermodynamics are reviewed, especially in regard to energy usage efficiency improvement. A significant part of the course is devoted to electricity production, including site visits to fossil and nuclear power plants. The environmental effects are discussed of energy extraction and consumption, such as SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions, acid deposition, the greenhouse effect, radioactive waste disposal. Also the risks of accidents are discussed in fossil and nuclear fuel usage.
This course covers the physical chemistry principles that are related to environmental systems, processes and measurements. Topics include fundamental aspects of thermodynamics, thermochemistry, collision processes, chemical kinetics in solution and the gas phase, heterogeneous reaction and catalysis, water chemistry (drinking, ground and waste water), oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry, changes of state, adsorption, absorption, dif-fusion, osmosis, atomic and molecular structure, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, and radioactivity.
The universe is a huge subject! Its size is almost unimaginable, and it is populated by objects that are almost beyond belief. By the end of this course, students will have a solid grasp of how we know "where'" and "when" we are in the universe, the ways in which we are able to explore remote objects, and how to convey these ideas to students through projects and activities. We will explore how peoples throughout history, from different historical and cultural settings, have made sense of the sky and how people today, from diverse backgrounds, think about and interact with celestial phenomenon. We will examine the many ways in which astronomy relates to the world of work in order to enable elementary and middle school teachers to help their students think about their knowledge of the universew in relation to careers.