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Atmospheric Processes and Composition (ATOC30008)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject presents a comprehensive view of the processes that are responsible for the structure, composition and properties of the atmosphere. It will focus on local and regional scales, covering aerosol and cloud processes such as formation, precipitation and lightning. It will address how these atmospheric processes interact with the climate system - discussing major weather systems, land use, air quality and greenhouse gas fluxes. This subject will involve a field trip to the Creswick campus to observe the atmospheric boundary layer state and chemical composition using state of the art monitoring equipment.
The field trip will take place on the Thursday of Teaching week 6, 9 April.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- describe the thermal structure of the atmosphere using the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, surface energy fluxes and cloud microphysics
- use these principles to explain regional scale meteorological processes such as clouds, precipitation, stability and boundary layer behaviour including air pollution
- assess the dependence and influence of these processes on external factors such as larger scale weather systems, local land use, coastlines and topography
- describe and implement observational techniques for measuring the atmospheric state and composition
- present implications of observed atmospheric conditions and composition as written technical reports
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following skills:
- demonstrate a high level of achievement in writing and problem-solving
- apply outstanding analytical, quantitative and technical skills to problem solving
- reflect and critique information as life-long learners
- demonstrate excellent organisational, planning and time management skills
- apply knowledge, skills and attitude to adapt to scientific, technological and social changes
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
VCE Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods (which can be established by entry to the BBiomed, BCom or BSc), or equivalent
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
ATOC20002
Recommended background knowledge
At least one of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ATOC20001 | Weather and Climate Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10006 | Calculus 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM20011 | Environmental Chemistry | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC10001 | Physics 1: Advanced | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC10002 | Physics 2: Advanced | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC10003 | Physics 1 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
PHYC10004 | Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC10005 | Physics 1: Fundamentals | No longer available | |
PHYC10006 | Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC10007 | Physics for Biomedicine | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Additional details
- Three short practical assignments/problem sets at approximately equal intervals throughout the semester not exceeding 1000 words in total (30%)
- Field-trip report, 1000 words due week 9 (20%)
- 2-hour examination (50%)
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Claire Vincent Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 65 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated Total Time Commitment - 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey by J.M.Wallace and P.V.Hobbs (students are not required to purchase this text)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Environmental Science Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Climate and Weather - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024