MN-GM-METPHAT

Study course:	M.Sc. Physics of Earth and Atmosphere
Module:	MN-GM-METPHAT
Title	Physics of the Atmosphere_{(Physik der Atmosphäre)}

Module Number	Workload	CP	Duration	Semester
MN-GM-METPHAT	180 h	6	1 Semester	WT

Person in Charge	S. Crewell
Offering Department	Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology, Cologne University

Applicability	Course of Study			Category	Semester
	M.Sc. Physics of Earth and Atmosphere			Compulsory for main focus geophysics	1

Aims	• Derivation and interpretation of equations governing atmospheric motion and state, i.e. primitive equations • Atmospheric radiation and application to the energy balance (e. g. greenhouse effect) and optical appearences • Knowledge of the earth's climate zones and basic principles of the general circulation
Skills	Computer practice, presentation techniques, general comprehension of systems
Content	• Meteorological variables and primitive equations • Composition and spatio-temporal structure of the atmosphere • Radiative transfer • Cloud physics and formation of precipitation • Atmospheric boundary layer and turbulence • Atmospheric dynamics • Weather systems • Atmospheric circulation • Climate dynamic
Prerequisites	Basics of mathematics, physics and applied geophysics

Lectures

Form, Theme

Max. of Participants

h/week

workload

Lecture

Exercise

Examinations	Form of testing and examination	Graded or not
Examinations	Written examination	Graded

Miscellaneous

Recommended literature:

Wallace, J. und Hobbs, P., 2006: Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey. Academic Press, 2nd edition, New York.

H. Kraus, 2005: Die Atmosphäre der Erde. Eine Einführung in die Meteorologie. Springer Verlag Heidelberg, Paperback Vieweg Verlag.

D. Etling, 2002: Theoretische Meteorologie, Eine Einführung. Springer Verlag Heidelberg.

UNIVERSITÄT ZU KÖLN