Atmospheric Science (ATSC)

1000 Level | 2000 Level | 3000 Level | 4000 Level

USP Codes are listed in brackets by the 1991 USP code followed by the 2003 USP code (i.e. [M2<>QB]).

2000. Introduction to Meteorology. 4. [S3<>SE] First course in meteorology for students with minimal background in math and science. Provides general and practical understanding of weather phenomena. Emphasizes observational aspects of the science, meteorological view of the physical world and the impact the science has on life and society. Includes three hours of lecture and one laboratory per week. Includes atmospheric composition and structure, radiation, winds and horizontal forces, stability and vertical motions, general circulation, synoptic meteorology, clouds and precipitation, severe storms and atmospheric optics.

2100. Atmospheric Change: Composition and Climate. 3. Introduces non-specialists to a broad overview of global, regional and local atmospheric impacts of mankind's activities and natural phenomena, and their consequences. Includes global warming and potential for climate change, atmospheric ozone depletion, acid rain, urban air pollution and problem alleviating mitigating strategies.

4001. Modeling the Earth System. 4. Takes a modeling approach to demonstrate how the Earth is integrated into an interconnected system through exchanges of energy and matter, and how Earth system functioning is susceptible to human alteration.  Unifying concepts focus on quantitative interactions between the Earth and the Sun, and between the Earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. Cross listed with BOT/GEOL 4001. Prerequisites:  MATH 2205 or equivalent and [ESS 2000 or GEOL 2000].

4010. Atmospheric Processes I. 3. Tools for understanding of physical processes occurring in the atmosphere are presented and integrated. Emphasis on ideal gas equation (for mixture), parcel concept, hydrostatics, mass conservation modeling, first law thermodynamics and radiation in the cloud-free atmosphere. Rudiments needed for problem solving are emphasized - integral and differential forms and dimensional analysis.  Prerequisites: PHYS 1320 and either MATH 2210 or MATH 2310.

4031. Atmospheric Dynamics. 3. Atmospheric statics, development and interpretation of Newton’s Second Law of Motion as applied to the atmosphere, scales of motion, atmospheric motion types, thermal wind equation, circulation and vorticity, boundary layer motions, introduction to quasi-geostrophic theory. Prerequisites: MATH 2210, PHYS 1320, ATSC 4010.

4033. Atmospheric Remote Sensing. 3.Satellinte ground-based remote sending from UV to microwave including the principles of atmospheric radiative transfer, descriptions of important satellite orbits and sensors, the retrieval of atmospheric forecast and air quality monitor. Prerequisites: MATH 2210 or 2310, and PHYS 1310 and 1320 or equivalent.

4035. Atmospheric Processes II. 3. Starts with physical-meteorology concepts necessary for a first-time examination of cloud microphysics – aerosol physical properties, Mie and Rayleigh radiative transfer, moisture variables, conserved temperatures, saturation vapor pressure – finishes with water and ice nucleation, diffusional and collection hydrometeor growth, and radiative forcing by clouds. Prerequisites: ATSC 4010 and 4031.

4320. The Ocean Environment. 3. Focuses on the ocean as a system. Objective is the development of interdisciplinary understanding of marine processes, especially those processes occurring along coastal margins. Emphasis is on the development of quantitative models and their use in understanding anthropogenic impact on ocean resources. Dual listed with ATSC 5320. Prerequisites: MATH 2310, PHYS 1310, CHEM 1030, ES 3060 (or ES 3070), LIFE 1010, senior standing or higher.

4400. The Physical Basis of Climate. 3. Global atmospheric and oceanic circulations, radiation balance, water balance and hydrologic cycle, energy balance, energy and moisture transport, evaporation and evapotranspiration, energetic processes, and theories of climate change. Dual listed with ATSC 5400. Prerequisites: MATH 2200, PHYS 1310, and CHEM 1020.

4410 [4330]. Introduction to Micrometeorology. 3. Quantitative and descriptive study of processes effecting exchanges of energy, momentum, gases, and particles between the atmosphere and the bio/geosphere, including the effects of plant cover, land use changes, diurnal and seasonal cycles, turbulence, boundary layer structure, local weather, and climate. Instrumentation and techniques also discussed. Prerequisites: ATSC 4010 and LIFE 2023.

4650. Undergraduate Research in Atmospheric Science. 2-6 (max 9). Course Description and Prerequisites: Independent research in atmospheric science under supervision of an atmospheric science faculty member. Projects are possible in the fields of cloud and aerosol physics, radar meteorology, mesoscale dynamics, and stratospheric chemistry. Participation in field work, involving the UW aviation or stratospheric ballooning facilities, is a possibility. Research results are summarized in a report. Prerequisites: ATSC 4000 and 4100, plus consent from advising faculty.

4900. Problems in Atmospheric Science. 1-3 (Max. 10). Independent study of a particular problem or phrase of atmospheric science, or presentation of reviews and discussion of current advances in atmospheric science investigations. Prerequisites: ATSC 4010, 4031, and 4035.


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Last Change: 01/30/08