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Atmospheric Processes and Composition (ATOC30008)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
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 and composition interact with the climate system - discussing major weather systems, land use, air quality and greenhouse gas fluxes. This subject will involve a face-to-face or virtual field trip to the Creswick campus in week 5 of semester to observe the atmospheric boundary layer state and chemical composition using state of the art monitoring equipment.
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
- Implement appropriate numerical methods and write computer code to analyse and understand real-world atmospheric data.
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 analytical, quantitative and technical skills to problem solving;
- critically analyse information as life-long learners;
- demonstrate excellent organisational, planning and time management skills; and
- apply scientific knowledge to understand technological and social changes.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Undergraduate Students
VCE Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods (which can be established by entry to the BBiomed, BCom or BSc), or equivalent
From 2023 onwards, students will be required to have completed the following pre-requisites only:
ONE OF:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ATOC20003 | Atmospheric Modelling | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EVSC20007 | Modelling the Real World | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
BOTH OF:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10005 | Calculus 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AND
a minimum of 12.5 credit points of Level 2 Physics, Mathematics or Chemistry subjects
Postgraduate students
Admission into Master of Climate Science
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
ATOC20002
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that students have taken ATOC20001, or have some background knowledge of weather and climate systems.
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: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Three short practical assignments/problem sets
| Evenly spaced throughout the semester | 25% |
Field-data report
| Week 9 | 25% |
Examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Claire Vincent Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 60 hours: 1 x 2-hour lecture per wee1, 1 x 3 hour tutorial per week. Field trip will replace lecture and tutorial times in week 5, either as virtual or face-to-face field trip. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Last updated: 22 March 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 Major Climate and Weather Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - 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 (Production)
- 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: 22 March 2024