PHYC 5505

Atmospheric Physics

Lec 01 selected

Moist thermodynamics is applied to a variety of atmospheric phenomenon. These include aerosols, cloud droplets, precipitation formation, convection, supercells, hurricanes, lightning, and the boundary layer. We also discuss the radar equation and the interpretation of radar images.

Sections

Lecture

From the syllabus

From the Winter 2023 syllabus by Rachel Chang. Winter 2027 is taught by Zhou X., so details may differ. Open the PDF

Grading

15%AssignmentsApproximately weekly; lowest grade discarded
30%Quizzes (3)Jan 30, Mar 3, Mar 27; dates subject to change
10%Project1500-word literature review
40%Final examDuring final exam period
5%Participation

Textbooks

  • Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey, Wallace and Hobbs
  • Practical Meteorology, Roland Stull (free)
  • A Short Course in Cloud Physics, Rogers and Yau
  • An Introduction to Clouds: From the Microscale to Climate, Lohmann, Lüönd, and Mahrt
  • Microphysics of Clouds and Precipitation, Pruppacher and Klett

Course rules

Late work
Assignments lose 10% per day late and are due in class.
Missed quizzes
Missed quizzes are dropped, but at least one quiz is required to pass.
Missed final
A missed final exam will be made up.
Absence
Self-declaration of absence may be used instead of a sick note.
Collaboration
Students may discuss problems, but must write solutions independently.
Project outline
A one-paragraph topic outline with three references is due February 17, 2023.
Exam setting
Quizzes and the final exam are expected to be completed on campus or in another proctored environment.

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