EV 431:AIR Syllabus  
Block 5, 2006   Val Veirs & Nate Bower

 

Updated: Jan 29, 2006

Day      Topic and Reading Assignment                                            Homework Due Start of Class   

Week 1

1AM

Class Introduction (VV/NB)

Atmospheric Concentration (NB)

Structure of Atmosphere (VV)

("How to Read with a Pencil")

1PM

2AM

"How to DO Homework Problems" Ch. 1 & Ch. 2
In Class Homework: Ch. 1.1, 1.2, Ch. 2.1
Intro to Ch. 4 - Horizontal Transport (VV)

Quiz on "Reading with a Pencil" of Jacobs Ch. 1-2. Hand in your "Reading with a Pencil" notes on Chapter 1

2PM

Introduction to Possible Project Topics:

1) Distribution and Characterization of Urban Air Particulates

2) Diurnal Variation and Calibration of Indoor CO2

3) Source of VOCs in “Green” vs Standard Building Construction

4) Lo vs Hi Traffic Area NOx in Colorado Springs

5) Other Multidimensional Characterization of an  Air Pollutant (usually across space and/or time).   

3AM

Discussion: Atmospheric Transport -
Intro to Ch 4 - Horizontal Transport (VV)

H.W. Ch. 1.3, 1.4 & Ch. 2.2
Quiz on Ch. 4 pp.42-53

3PM

Lab: Intro to Equipment & Calibration Procedures: FTIR; GC-MS; GC-TC; XRF Mini-lab Exercises

4AM

Weather Maps: Air Masses and Fronts (VV)

Weather on the Web - Pt I
Quiz on Ch. 4 pp 54-71

4PM

Lab: Atmospheric Measurement -1

5AM

Atmospheric Transport - Vertical Motions
Buoyancy and Stability (VV)

H.W. Ch. 4.1, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

5PM

Lab: Analyzing Time Series Data

 

Week 2

1AM

Simple Models: Ch. 3 (VV)

H.W. Weather on the Web - Pt II: Observing vertical atmospheric structure over the past weekend
Quiz on "Reading with a Pencil" of Jacobs Ch. 3

1PM

Lab: Atmospheric Measurement -2

2AM

Diffusion Modeling: (VV)

Re-read section 4.4 on Turbulence

In-class exercise on Gaussian Diffusion

H.W. Ch. 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 via Stella or Excel - hand in eqns as well as graphs/results

2PM

Lab: Atmospheric Measurement -3

3AM

Aerosols: Ch. 8 (VV)

H.W. Ch 8.1 (parts 1 and 2)

Hand in micro report on your Gaussian Diffusion project.

3PM

Physics Review Session - Optional Attendance

4AM

9:00 - 11:00:   In-Class Closed Book Exam -Atmospheric Physics (You may use your "Read with a Pencil" notes and a calculator.)

4PM

Class Visit: "Air Quality Planning and Air Pollution Modeling" Vicki Card (Colorado Springs Utilities)
Rich Muzzy (Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments)

5AM

Introduction to Chemical Kinetics: Ch 9 (NB)

Handout Homework Problems

5PM

Dan Burgard from DU-Noon lecture/afternoon lab – demo on monitoring car emissions “on the fly”

Week 3

1AM

Stratospheric O3: I : Ch 10 (NB)

HW: due

1PM

2AM

Stratospheric O3 II : Ch 10 (NB)

HW: due

2PM

Lab: NOx Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Smog

3AM

Tropospheric Chemistry I: Ch 11 (NB)

3PM

Lab: Atmospheric Measurement -4

4AM

Tropospheric Chemistry I: Ch 11 (NB)

HW: due

4PM

Ozone Pollution: Ch 12 (NB)

HW: due

5AM

Closed Book Exam II

5PM

Closed Book Exam II

 

Week 4

1AM

Statistical Workup of Data

1PM

Cleanup and Checkout of Lab

2AM

Work on Project Report

2PM

Work on Project Report

3AM

Group Presentations: 9 – 11:30 AM

Final Project Report Due at 9

 

Grade Breakdown: Homework and short quizzes (20%); Exams 1 and 2 (40%); Mini-labs and NOx (10%); Final Projects (including lab work and both the oral and written presentations) (30%)
Office Hours: Generally, right before class is not a good time to come and ask questions about homework.  Anticipate whether you think you’ll need help interpreting it by reading it over the day before, and see one of us before the end of the day, usually between 4 and 5 PM.
Honor Code: We feel the honor code applies to all aspects of the course, including the reporting of lab breakage, etc.  When taking the tests, only the aids authorized and your calculators will be allowed unless we make an announcement.  Do not bring other materials.  Tests will be taken ONLY in the classroom or as announced.  ALL discussion of the tests should be only with one of us unless we say otherwise.  If we are not available when you have a question, move on to the next problem and save the question for when we are available.
American Disabilities Act (ADA) and Medical Absences: If you have a documented disability on file at the Dean’s office such as a reading dyslexia that allows you to have extra time or a test room of your own, or if you have other documented reason for needing special consideration (such as a scheduled game off campus, medical school interview, language difficulties, etc.), please notify us immediately so that alternative arrangements can be made.  If you become ill and miss a quiz, test, or lab, you will need to a note from Boettcher or similar documentation in order to qualify for alternative considerations.