Physics 536: Atmospheric Convection

Fall Semester 2015


  Sharon Sessions
  sessions@kestrel.nmt.edu
  (505) 835-5798
  Workman 353
 
  Office Hours: WTh 2-3 pm
  Class Hours: MWF 9-9:50 am
 
 

Homework assignments

Syllabus


 

Course Description

This course is a course in atmospheric convection, offered as a graduate level course in the physics department. As such, mathematics and physics preparation that is typical of an undergraduate physics degree is expected. Some elementary fluid dynamics is introduced as needed.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will
  1. Know and apply common approximations to the equations of motion governing atmospheric fluid motions (e.g., anelastic and Boussinesq approximations.
  2. Gain a fundamental understanding of role of convection in the general atmospheric circulation.
  3. Understand the differences between dry and moist convection.
  4. Understand why convection is parameterized in global models, and understand the basic assumptions used in different convective parameterization schemes.

Program Learning Outcomes

This course is part of the graduate program in physics with atmospheric concentration.

Course Requirements


  Text: Atmospheric Convection by Kerry Emanuel.
 
  Atmospheric Convection is the standard text book for a graduate course in atmospheric convection. The lecture will consist of working through the text, with a lot of time spent on deriving equations throughout (especially in the beginning). Homework will include performing some of the derivations, problems from the book and other sources, reading and summarizing relevant journal articles, analyzing data from models or observations, and writing a paper that is related to atmospheric convection.

Grading

Homework assignments

Homework assignments will be posted (approximately weekly), and you will typically have 1 week to complete them. These will primarily consist of work that supports work related to lecture and the text book (i.e., problems from the text book). You may collaborate to complete the problems, though the work you turn in must be your own.

Paper

You will be required to write a paper on a topic related to atmospheric convection. It should be 15-20 pages long (double spaced is fine), including figures. It doesn't have to be original research, and I encourage you to find a topic that is related to your rearch interests (you may even talk to your research supervisor for ideas for topics). If you are also enrolled in PHYS 501, this assignment would simultaneously satisfy the writing assignment for that course. Effective scientific communication is important! Thus, the grade for this paper will be based on the following components:
  1. Abstract: This should be a conference-style abstract which serves the purpose of proposing the topic of your paper.
  2. Literature notes: This is basically an identification of the references you will use for your paper, and brief notes on the relevance. (I may decide not to do this part).
  3. Mind Map: This is a drawing of the point of your paper which includes the topics and parts of the paper. It is an effective tool for organizing your thoughts. From this, you can construct an outline.
  4. Draft for peer review: You will submit a draft to be read and reviewed by 1-2 classmates. You will also be responsible for reviewing 1-2 papers of your classmates. I will provide review criteria that is typical of a peer-review journal.
  5. Final paper: This should incorporate
    1. the comments from peer reviews
    2. relevant figures that are discussed in text of the paper, and which have captions
    3. a list of references, with references properly cited in the text
  6. Short (10-15 minute) presentation on paper topic.

Research Activities

This portion will involve reading some important journal articles related to atmospheric convection (some I choose, some you will). I will either have you discuss the paper during class, submit a short summary of the paper, or ask specific questions related to the paper. In addition to reading journal articles, this part of the grade will involve analysis of observational or model data that will not only help improve our understanding of convection, but will provide the opportunity to develop skills that are relevant to conducting research.

Counseling and Disability Services

Reasonable Accommodations:

New Mexico Tech is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals who require reasonable accommodations are invited to make their needs known to the Office of Counseling and Disability Services (OCDS) as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment, please call 835-6619.

Counseling Services:

New Mexico Tech offers mental health and substance abuse counseling through the Office of Counseling and Disability Services. The confidential services are provided free of charge by licensed professionals. To schedule an appointment, please call 835-6619.

Academic Honesty:

New Mexico Tech’s Academic Honesty Policy for undergraduate students is found starting on page 64 of the NMT Undergraduate Catalog, http://www.nmt.edu/images/stories/registrar/2015-2016_UNDERGRADUATE_Catalog_FINAL.pdf
 
  You are responsible for knowing, understanding, and following this policy.

Respect Statement:

New Mexico Tech supports freedom of expression within the parameters of a respectful learning environment. As stated in the New Mexico Tech Guide to Conduct and Citizenship: “New Mexico Tech’s primary purpose is education, which includes teaching, research, discussion, learning, and service. An atmosphere of free and open inquiry is essential to the pursuit of education. Tech seeks to protect academic freedom and build on individual responsibility to create and maintain an academic atmosphere that is a purposeful, just, open, disciplined, and caring community.”