| CODE | GSC3450 | ||||||
| TITLE | Atmospheric Energy Balance Modelling | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Geosciences | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Understanding of climate science requires thorough knowledge of global warming and the associated processes (including the relevant atmospheric physics and chemistry). The study-unit will provide grounding in relevant aspects of atmospheric science, notably multi-layer atmospheric energy balance modelling. In particular, following a revisiting of the basic definitions, laws, ideas and concepts associated with radiation, a clear mathematical exposition of atmospheric energy balance models will be presented. The main topics to be covered in the study-unit are the following: (1) Introduction A brief overview of definitions (radiative energy flux, solid angle, radiation intensity), ideas and concepts (blackbodies, equilibrium, isotropy, etc.) and laws relevant to radiation physics (Kirchhoff, Planck, Stefan-Boltzmann, Wein Displacement) will be presented (2) Energy Balance Models Only one-dimensional models will be considered; nevertheless, the atmosphere will be treated as a multi-layer medium; radiative, convective and conductive processes will all be taken into account; emphasis will be made on radiative-convective processes at equilibrium; the non-equilibrium case will not be discussed Study-Unit Aims: The main objective of the study-unit is to introduce and give grounding in energy balance modelling relevant to the Earth's atmosphere. Consequently, the aims of the study-unit are the following: - re-familiarize the students with the basics of radiation physics (definitions, laws, ideas and concepts); - introduce the students to a mathematical exposition of energy balance modelling (for a multi-layer atmosphere at equilibrium); - provide the students with the opportunity to tackle problems related to thermal physics of the Earth's atmosphere, especially as they relate to energy balance modelling (indeed, the study-unit will take a problem-solution approach); - introduce and familiarize the students with the relevant mathematical tools needed in energy balance modelling Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - recall and apply radiation theory, especially as it relates to the atmosphere; - explain the Earth's energy balance and its implication to global warming and climate change; - solve problems on atmospheric energy balance modelling 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - explain radiation theory, especially as it relates to the atmosphere; - recognise how one area of physics can contribute to the understanding of another - solve problems of relevance in the geosciences, especially in energy balance modelling; - recognise the importance of specific mathematical tools e.g. calculus (differentiation and integration), in solving problems Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Ambaum M. H. P. (2020) Thermal Physics of the Atmosphere - Advancing Weather and Climate Science. Second Edition. Elsevier Science. ISBN-13: 978-0128244982. Supplementary Readings: - Andrews D. G. (2010) An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press. - Taylor F. W. (2005) Elementary Climate Physics. Oxford University Press. - North G. R. and Kim K. Y. (2017) Energy Balance Climate Models. Wiley Series in Atmospheric Physics and Remote Sensing. Wiley-VCH. Note: The lecturer will provide the students with a comprehensive set of lecture notes. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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