EARTH SC/ENVIR SC 4C03

Advance Physical Climatology

Calendar Description

This course develops energy and mass exchange processes in the near surface layer, the lower atmosphere and at the earth-atmosphere interface. Sensitivities of these processes to environmental change and feedback mechanisms are examined. Seminars and individual presentations are emphasized.

One lecture (two hours), one lab (two hours); one term
Prerequisite(s): One of EARTH SC 2C03, 2W03, ENVIR SC 2C03, 2W03,
 
Cross-List(s): ENVIR SC 4C03, EARTH SC 4C03

 

Time/Term Offered: Term Two Winter 2012-13

Instructor: Dr. M. Altaf Arain
Room: General Science Building Rm. 221
Tel:(905) 525.9149 x27941
Email: arainm@mcmaster.ca
Office hours: TBA

Teaching Assistant: Robin Thorne Email: thornerf@mcmaster.ca

 

Course Outline Avenue to Learn

Introduction:

Objectives: This course covers the basics of energy and mass exchange processes in the near subsurface layer, the lower atmosphere and at the earth surface-atmosphere interface. Topics covered include:

  • Basic concepts in sub-surface climates
  • Energy and water budgets near the surface
  • Precipitation processes
  • Surface evaporation processes
  • Boundary layer turbulence
  • Surface processes at the lakes and oceans

The course will comprise a series of lectures, labs and a review paper on a relevant topic.

Lecture/Labs:

Lectures Friday, 8:30 - 10:20 a.m Room BSB - B138
Labs Thursday, 8:30 - 10:20 a.m. Room BSB - B138

Required Text Books/Course materials:

No assigned text. Lecture notes will be provided.

1. Recommended BookS
• Applied soil physics: soil water and temperature applications. Hank, R. J., [S594 .H28 (1992)]
• Introduction to soil physics. Hillel, D., [S592.3 .H55]
• Physics of climate. Peixoto, J. and Oort, A., [QC981 .P434 (1992)]
• The atmospheric boundary layer. Garratt, J.R., [QC880.4.B65 G37 (1994)]
• Handbook of hydrology. Maidment, David R., [GB662.5 .M35 (1993)]
• The surface climates of Canada. Baily W.G., Oke T.R., Rouse W.R. (Eds.) [QC985 .S87 (1997)]
• Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology, Stull R. B. [ISBN: 9027727694]

2. Additional Relevant Books
• A climate modeling primer. Henderson-Sellers, A., [QC981 .H5 (1987)]
• Applied hydrology. Chow, Ven Te, [GB661.2 .C43 (1988)]
• Principles of environmental physics. Monteith, J.L., Unsworth, M., [QH505 .M58 (1990)]
• An introduction to solar radiation. Iqbal M., [QC911 .I63 (1983)]
• Evaporation into the atmosphere: theory, history, and applications. Brutsaert, Wilfried, [QC915.6 .B78 (1982)]
• Land surface evaporation: measurement and parameterization. Schmugge, T.J., Andre, J.-C., [QC915.6 .L36 (1991)]
• Climate system modeling. Trenberth, K.E., [QC981 .C65 (1992)]
• Precipitation process and analysis. Summer, G., [QC925 S94 (1988)]
• Radar For Meteorologists, 4th Ed., Rinehart R.E., [ISBN 0-9658002-1-0]
• Satellite Meteorology: An Introduction. Kidder S.Q., Vonder Haar T.H., [ISBN: 0124064302]

Evaluation:

Lab assignments 15% (3 @ %5 each) Midterm exam 20%
Written paper 15%
Final exam 50%

Submission of Assignments:
Assignments will be due no later than 4:30 p.m. on the specified due date, and should be submitted in the Earth and EnvirSc 4C03 drop box on the 2nd floor of GSB.
You can submit assignments to the after-hours drop box located at the western end of GSB near elevator. These assignments will be collected on the following day and date stamped with that date, not the date you physically put the assignment in the after-hours drop box.
Write your name, student ID number, course name (Earth/Envirsc Sc 4C03), assignment number, due date on the first page of your assignment.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

  • Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.

  • Improper collaboration in group work.

  • Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/AcademicIntegrity.pdf

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.