Atmospheric Aerosols, Chemistry, and Clouds

MEA 312: Atmospheric Thermodynamics (spring)

Atmospheric thermodynamics: equation of state for mixture of gases; first and second laws of thermodynamics; diabatic and adiabatic processes for dry and moist air; measurement and phase changes of water vapor. Atmospheric statics: static stabilityof moist air; vertical acceleration.

MEA 593: Atmospheric Measurements and Data Analysis (fall, even years)

The lectures cover a broad range of topics pertinent to data acquisition, analysis, visualization and presentation of results in scientific reports. Specific topics include philosophy of observational science, experimental design, sensors, sensor output, calibration, signal acquisition and processing (sampling, sampling frequency, instrument averaging, signal to noise ratio), uncertainty analysis (accuracy, precision, error propagation), statistical data analysis (mean, variance, quartiles, histograms, probability distributions, statistical significance), regression analysis, non-linear least squares fitting of data to arbitrary functions, autocorrelation, power spectral analysis. During laboratory sections students will setup and execute experiments on a broad range of phenomena encountered in the atmospheric sciences including: the behavior of rotating fluids, atmospheric radiation, atmospheric trace gas emissions, and atmospheric turbulence. The class includes a field trip to the State Climate Office (Dr. Ryan Boyles) where students will learn about operational sensors and field deployment of meteorology instruments.

MEA 703: Atmospheric Aerosols (fall, odd years)

This course provides an introduction to the field of Aerosols in the Atmospheric Sciences for graduate students. Topics include the microphysical characterization of aerosol; the motion in electrical and gravitational fields; principles of aerosol measurement; sources, evolution, sinks, and climatology of major aerosol types; aerosol thermodynamics; aerosol interaction with water; nucleation theory; aerosol-cloud-climate interactions.