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General Circulation of the Atmosphere (ATOC90014)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Off Campus

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Off Campus
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This subject provides an introduction to the large-scale circulation features of the atmosphere and the processes that maintain them. Students will be introduced to a set of mathematical tools that will be used to analyse the transport of energy, momentum and moisture through the atmosphere and to build a conceptual picture for how these transports are achieved by the atmospheric circulation. Topics covered will include:

  • Review of the governing equations
  • Reynolds decomposition and atmospheric transports
  • Atmospheric reanalysis
  • The Hadley circulation
  • Monsoons
  • Midlatitude eddies and jet formation
  • The Ferrel Cell
  • Isentropic and transformed Eulerian mean circulations

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Identify the main features of the atmospheric circulation and the processes that contribute to their maintenance;
  • Apply mathematical tools to analyse the transports of energy/momentum through the atmosphere;
  • Critically engage with the scientific literature regarding the large-scale atmospheric circulation and its possible changes under climate change.

Generic skills

  • Exercise critical judgement;
  • undertake rigorous and independent thinking;
  • adopt a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks;
  • develop high-level written report and/or oral presentation skills.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Students should have taken an introductory course in dynamical meteorology equivalent to ATOC30004 Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography and be familiar with partial differential equations.

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: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment

  • 500 words
Week 515%

Assignment

  • 500 words
Week 1015%

Presentation

  • 10 minutes
Week 125%

Report

  • 1500 words
Week 1215%

Exam

  • 2 hours
During the examination period50%

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 1 - Off Campus
    CoordinatorJosephine Brown
    Mode of deliveryOff Campus
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date 3 April 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024
    Assessment period ends21 June 2024

    Semester 1 contact information

    josephine.brown@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

This subject is taught through the Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences :https://vieps.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    None.

  • 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: 31 January 2024