MAQ-21806 Meteorology and Climate

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

Introduction Atmosphere, Mathematics T, Basic Physics

Contents:

This course provides basic understanding of the meteorological processes for students in soil science, hydrology, environmental sciences, earth system science and for students specializing in meteorology and air quality. It focuses on understanding physical processes in the atmosphere that determine weather, climate and air quality and treats advanced theory of part of the material treated in the first-year course MAQ-10306. It serves as an introduction for advanced courses of Meteorology and Air Quality chair group.
By performing the exercises, students are able to become acquainted with the order of magnitude of the various meteorological quantities. The theory is still only given as a broad outline. Detailed theoretical knowledge and strict mathematical derivations are reserved for more advanced courses.

Learning outcomes:

After this course the student is expected to be able to:
- explain the basics of atmospheric radiation;
- calculate, convert and discriminate between various atmospheric humidity quantities;
- apply stability analysis and other applications of thermodynamic diagrams;
- describe the dynamics of the atmosphere by using simple formulas (mostly descriptive);
- discuss atmospheric predictability and uncertainty;
- understand the formation of clouds and precipitation: showers, thunderstorms and tornadoes;
- comprehend the meteorology of the atmospheric boundary layer (descriptive);
- describe and explain the basics of climate and climate change.

Activities:

- active participation in lecturers;
- performing all exercises;
- exercises laboratory (compulsory).

Examination:

Written exam and submitted exercises.

Literature:

Reader and book (to be announced).