MAQ-30306 Atmospheric Practical

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch or English

Assumed knowledge on:

Introduction Atmosphere, Meteorology and Climate.

Continuation courses:

Boundary-layer Processes, Atmospheric Dynamics.

Contents:

This course gives an introduction to the assimilation, processing, analysis and presentation of large amounts of meteorological data, both synoptic and aerological observations as well as model output. Students perform an analysis of the structure of weather systems on the synoptic scale and mesoscale and apply theory to estimate the magnitude of atmospheric quantities. The course deals with the analysis and interpretation of model output leading to weather forecasting. Also a number of simple calculations of climatic quantities and transports on the global scale will be performed. Finally, a number of meteorological and/or climatological research centres in the UK, or elsewhere, will be visited in order to gain insight into weather forecasting practices, current research and job opportunities in this field. For planning and logistics, students should register for this course not later than December 15.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- identify and recognize the different types of meteorological data and how often these are available;
- modify, analyse and interpret different types of meteorological data;
- explain and discuss the relation between several atmospheric quantities varying in space and time;
- monitor, observe and analyse the weather situation, and prepare basic forecasts of weather parameters using real-time or historical data;
- discriminate and evaluate the research performed at the various research facilities offering meteorological services, education and data abroad (the UK or Germany);
- appraise the research activities, meteorological disseminated data and services provided by ECMWF, Reading, UK, or similar institutes in Germany.

Activities:

- perform all exercises in a methodical and efficient manner;
- oral and written presentation of the results of some of the exercises;
- taking part in the excursion and writing a short report.

Examination:

All units comprising the practical part of the course (weeks 1 - 3) are assessed as follows: - if a student performs all exercises in the unit satisfactorily, the 'bonus' = 0 - if not all exercises have been completed, or if the produced results are not satisfactorily, the 'bonus' = -1 - if all exercises have been completed, and if some extra effort has been done (e.g. extra cases ), the 'bonus'= +1 - the net sum of all bonuses will be calculated upon completion of the practical and determines the grade for the practical part which counts for 80% of the final grade. The excursion (week 4) will be assessed by means of the written report (per group of 3 students) in the usual manner. This part counts for 20% of the final grade.

Literature:

See website.