| CODE | GSC1300 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Science of the Atmosphere | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Geosciences | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Understanding of geophysical processes requires knowledge of the relevant mathematics and science, notably atmospheric science. The study-unit will provide grounding in relevant aspects of atmospheric physics and chemistry. The main ideas to be covered in the study-unit are as follows: Subsequent to a brief and general introduction, a discussion of global warming will follow. The discussion will be by and large qualitative, but rough numerical estimates/ approximations will also be included. The discussion on global warming will set the tone for the remaining part of the study unit. Subsequently, the following topics will be tackled: - atmospheric constituents, with emphasis on aerosols; - an introduction to atmospheric dynamics in connection with urban air quality and its modelling Study-unit Aims: The main objective of the study-unit is to introduce and give grounding in atmospheric science. Consequently, the aims of the study-unit are the following: - familiarize the students with an atmospheric perspective of the global energy budget (and global warming); - introduce the students to atmospheric aerosols (characteristics, sources, sinks and their effects); - provide the students with general knowledge concerning atmospheric dynamics; - introduce and familiarize the students with urban air quality and its modelling (notably, box modelling) Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - demonstrate basic knowledge of the Earth's energy budget and recognize its implications e.g. global warming; - demonstrate basic knowledge of the sources, sinks, effects and general characteristics of atmospheric aerosols; - recall and apply ideas from atmospheric dynamics, especially in the context of urban air quality; - solve basic problems in urban air quality, utilising the box modelling technique. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - demonstrate knowledge of basic atmospheric science; - appreciate how one area of science can contribute to the understanding of another - have sufficient theoretical understanding to solve problems of relevance in the geosciences Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: T E Graedel and P J Crutzen. Atmospheric Change: An Earth System Perspective. W H Freeman and Company (latest edition) - copies are available at the University of Malta libraries Course Notes: The course convenor (Alfred Micallef) will provide the students with a comprehensive set of course notes. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Alfred Micallef |
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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 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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