ESS 416/516: Outline

Instructor:
Gerard Roe

Contact details:
Office JHN 361
Phone: 543-4980
Email: gerard@ess.washington.edu

Meeting times: Tues-Thurs 11 to 12.20
Room JHN 027 to begin with.

Office hours:
Drop by anytime, but I'll aim to be in my office Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Class materials:
Should be available as pdf files from http://www.ess.washington.edu/roe/

Summary

The course is designed to be a broad introductory overview of the atmosphere, suitable for graduate students who are not necessarily going on the specialize in the atmospheric sciences, or motivated seniors with similar interests. The goal is to give a flavor of a wide range of atmospheric processes. We will cover an introduction to the dynamics of midlatitude weather systems, moisture and clouds in the atmosphere, radiation, atmospheric waves, and large-scale climate dynamics.

Since many of the phenomena discussed can only be properly understood through analysis of the equations, some calculus will be used and students should feel comfortable in understanding simple differential equations. A solid undergraduate physics course will also be useful.

Grading
60% homework, 30% term paper/presentation, 10% participation