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Tropical Weather and Climate Extremes (ATOC30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject gives an overview of the weather and climate extreme phenomena in the tropical region, as driven by the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere on a wide range of time and space scales. Topics include tropical cyclones, ENSO theory, Monsoon depression and Monsoon lows, cloud clusters and squall lines, tropical-extratropical interactions, the governing equations at low latitudes, momentum and heat exchanges in the ocean and atmospheric boundary layers, fundamental causes of ocean circulation, ocean wave theory including wind-waves and tides, Kelvin and Rossby waves, and intraseasonal oscillations.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- describe the fundamental causes of the general circulation of the ocean and its relationship to the general circulation of the atmosphere
- reproduce the governing equations and approximations relevant to the tropical atmosphere and describe the key structural features of the tropical weather and climate
- describe and solve the fundamental equations that explain waves in the ocean and the atmosphere, including equatorial waves and their relationship to tropical weather and climate
- explain and quantify the fundamental processes causing upper-ocean mixing, variations in upper-ocean properties due to air-sea interaction effects, both locally and globally
- communicate clearly the key concepts discussed in this subject
- utilise appropriate numerical methods and computer programming to analyse, visualise and understand real-world weather and climate datasets
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following skills:
- ability to demonstrate a high level of achievement in writing and problem-solving;
- ability to apply analytical, quantitative and technical skills to problem solving;
- ability to critically analyse information as life-long learners;
- ability to demonstrate excellent organisational, planning and time management skills; and
- ability to apply scientific knowledge to understand current technological and social changes.
Last updated: 11 April 2024