MAQ-21806 Meteorology and Climate

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

Introduction Atmosphere, Mathematics, 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 successful completion of this course, students are able to:
- explain the basics of atmospheric radiation;
- calculate, relate and evaluate 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;
- clarify the formation of clouds and precipitation: showers, thunderstorms and tornadoes;
- review 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:

Final mark consists of:
- practical (10%);
- final exam (90%).
If the average grade of the tests is higher than the final mark, then this average will be used to increase the final mark.

Literature:

Reader available.
John Wallace; Peter Hobbs.(2006). Atmospheric Science: an Introductory Survey. 2nd ed. ISBN: 978-0-12-732951-2.