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AIR: Atmospheric Physics & Chemistry

EV 431 - Air: Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry: Introduction to atmospheric circulation, radiation transfer, Coriolis force and thermodynamics as they determine the horizontal movement and vertical structure of the atmosphere.   Kinetics, modeling, and reaction systems as they relate to air pollution and ozone chemistry in the stratosphere and troposphere.   Course includes a student-designed laboratory/field project related to local air pollution issues.   Prerequisite: EV 212 (or CH 108) and EV 222; EV 311 recommended. 1 unit -

2006: Veirs & Bower

2007: Drossman & Van Roekel

2008: Drossman & Benedict

2009: Drossman & ?

The overall goal of this class is to develop a better grasp of systems thinking by seeing how multiple parameters link in cause and effect. We also hope that as the EV major capstone science experience, this class will help you enhance your abilities in quantitiave skills, critical thinking skills, ability to read the scientific literature and present scientific data through teh context of learning the science underlying air pollution, learn the difference between global atmospheric issues and local air quality issues as they appear here in Colorado Springs and connect this to public health and/or public policy. By developing such a "sense of place", of how systems work and how smaller ones are embedded in larger ones, we want you to learn insights and skills that you will be able to apply in other places and in other environmental situations.

Specific Learning Objectives:

• Learn how the physics organizes our thinking about the transport of air pollutants both at the global and local scale.
• Learn how chemistry organizes our thinking about sequences of chemical reactions as air pollutants are emitted, transported, and transformed.
• Learn how simple computer models can help to visualize and predict these effects and hence allow the examination of alternate future scenarios.
• Learn methods of calibration and accurate data collection for air pollution measurements
• Learn to compare air pollution datasets to deepen our understanding of physical and chemical interactions and transformations in the air.
• Learn how to design and carry out experiments to deepen our understanding of air pollution.
• Learn how to integrate public policy and/or public health with atmospheric science to evaluate a real-world air pollution system

ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING

There will be two exams: the first exam will focus on atmospheric physics and the second will focus on the atmospheric chemistry, possibly through literature-based problems.

A substantial all-class/small group project on a local air quality issue is required. It will be ongoing throughout the class and due on the end of the cours. Details on format, timetable and rubrics for assessment are included in the Projects section of the web site.

About 10-12 homework and several lab assignments will be made during the block.

Grades will be weighted as follows:

Projects (group and individual): 35%

• Calibration Project & 2007 Report Critique (group & individual; 10%)
• Health Brief (individual; 15%); Initial Bibliography (some papers to get you started)
• Aerosol Analysis & Report (group; 10%)

Problems (group & individual): 25%

• Worksheets (group): 10%
• Homework (individual): 15%

Exams (individual): 40%

• Exam 1 (Physics; individual): 20%
• Exam II (Chemistry; individual): 20%