MAQ-21806 Meteorology and Climate

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lecture24
Tutorial44
Practical28
Independent study0
Course coordinator(s)dr. GJ Steeneveld
Lecturer(s)dr. WD van den Berg
dr. GJ Steeneveld
prof. dr. AAM Holtslag
dr. ing. BG Heusinkveld
A Tsiringakis
prof. dr. ir. W Hazeleger
LHJ van Galen
JGM Barten
Examiner(s)prof. dr. AAM Holtslag
dr. GJ Steeneveld

Language of instruction:

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 expected to be 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.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BSWSoil, Water, AtmosphereBSc3WD
Restricted Optional for: MESEnvironmental SciencesMSc3WD
MCLClimate StudiesMScA: The Physical Climate System3WD
MCLClimate StudiesMScB: Biogeochemical Cycles3WD
MinorPeriod
Restricted Optional for: WUEABBSc Minor Earth and Biosphere3WD