PHYS 301

I. Course Title: Atmospheric Physics

II. Course Number: PHYS 301

III. Credit Hours: 4 credits

IV. Prerequisites: PHYS 111  or PHYS 221 or ASTR 220

     Cross-Listed: PHSC 301 

V. Course Description: 

Basic principles of meteorology, including earth’s atmosphere, insulation, humidity, adiabatic processes, large-scale circulation of the atmosphere, mid-altitude weather, violent weather phenomena, and climatology.

Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

The major topics covered in this course are those considered in most recently published atmospheric physics/meteorology texts. A text selected will include the following topics. Laboratory exercises will be used to supplement and reinforce learning from the text and lecture.

Topics covered in Physics 301:

1. The Atmosphere

• a. Composition 
• b. Vertical structure (temperature, pressure, density)
• c. Lapse rates 
• d. Stability
• e. Heat capacity 

2. Earth's Heat Budget

• a. Solar radiation and the atmosphere
• b. Solar radiation and Earth's surface
• c. Radiation by Earth
• d. Heating of the atmosphere by conduction and convection
• e. The greenhouse effect

3. Atmospheric Moisture

• a. Humidity and relative humidity
• b. Evaporation and condensation
• c. Cloud formation
• d. Forms of precipitation

4. Large scale circulation of the atmosphere

• a. General circulation and Hadley cells
• b. Pressure gradient acceleration 
• c. Coriolis effect
• d. Air masses
• e. Fronts, highs, lows
• f. Cyclonic and anticyclonic storms 

5. Small scale circulation 

• a. Land and sea breeze
• b. Mountain and valley breeze
• c. Chinook winds
• d. Santa Ana winds 

6. Observations of atmospheric variables

• a. Temperature and relative humidity
• b. Pressure 
• c. Wind and anemometers 
• d. Solar insolation 
• e. Precipitation

7. Atmospheric optics 

• a. Light transmission and attenuation 
• b. Cloud condensation nuclei 
• c. Atmospheric particulates 

8. World climate

• a. Surface winds
• b. Surface pressures
• c. Surface temperatures 
• d. Upper winds 

9. Climate modeling 

• a. Modeling climate data from NOAA or other sources
• b. Numerical modeling of climate characteristics 
• c. Prediction of future climate characteristics

VII. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

Physics 301 will be based on the material in the text, and augmented by supplementary texts and laboratory exercises. A basic knowledge of physics is assumed. Physics and chemistry concepts utilized in the course will be introduced as needed. The course is taught as a lecture/activity course. Students will collect and analyze data. Questions, class discussion, and in-class exercises and activities are encouraged throughout the course.

VIII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

To build a knowledge base about the physical properties of the atmosphere, and how the atmospheric components interact. Learning objectives of individual chapters or topics are formulated to achieve this goal.

IX. Assessment Measures:

Student success is based on their performance on tests, a final exam, homework, laboratory exercises, and other exercises and methods as determined by the instructor.

Review and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY

September 24, 2001 - Reviewed by Walter S. Jaronski, Chair

August 2020

March 01, 2021