CLB333 Dynamic Atmosphere
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CLB333 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | PQB360 or CLB221 |
| Equivalent(s): | ERB311 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $6,840 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CLB333 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | PQB360 or CLB221 |
| Equivalent: | ERB311 |
| Coordinator: | Branka Miljevic | b.miljevic@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Building on the foundation of atmospheric science laid in PQB360, this unit will provide enhanced understanding of chemical and physical processes that are responsible for structure, composition and properties of the atmosphere. Students will gain deeper understanding of aerosol and cloud formation, their interaction with solar radiation and role in global climate, as well as chemical transformations that govern abundance of important atmospheric trace species in both gas and aerosol phase. This knowledge will provide students with the background to understand current issues, such as stratospheric ozone depletion, impact of volcanoes on climate, air pollution and photochemical smog, acid rain and climate change.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain aerosols and cloud formation and their impact on Earth’s radiative forcing through interaction with solar and terrestrial radiation.
- Discuss chemical composition and transformations in the urban, remote and stratospheric environments.
- Solve simple problems and derivations related to physical and chemical processes.
- Present results of observational atmospheric composition as a written technical (scientific) report.
Content
The unit covers the following topics in both theoretical and applied terms:
- Atmospheric chemical composition
- Atmospheric lifetimes and trace constituents
- Overview of chemical kinetics and photochemistry
- Stratospheric ozone (incl. halogen chemistry)
- Oxidising power of the troposphere (incl. tropospheric ozone)
- Aerosol formation and properties.
- Aerosols and health – outdoor and indoor air quality
- Aerosol measurement techniques
- Aerosol composition – urban vs. remote atmosphere
- Acid deposition: acid rain
- Clouds and aerosols: from micro-scales to global climate
- Impact of aerosols on cloud albedo (Twomey effect)
- Interaction of aerosols with solar and terrestrial radiation.
- Radiative forcing; IPCC and anthropogenic climate forcing from aerosols vs GHG
Learning Approaches
As a third year unit, you are expected to be an independent, self-directed learner and to take responsibility for your own learning. As such, this unit frequently makes use of problem-based learning approaches. Supporting these problem-based learning approaches is a variety of different types of classes including formal lectures (face to face and online), practicals, and tutorials to provide both theoretical and important practical experience.
You can expect to spend 10 - 15 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be provided through the following mechanisms:
- Written and/or oral feedback will be provided for all assessment items according to each assessment criteria.
- formative feedback will be provided during practicals and/or tutorials.
- students can arrange a mutually convenient time to meet teaching staff to discuss their progress
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
This assessment item will consist of set of questions focused on analysis and interpretation of data collected during second practical.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Written scientific report
Analyse, interpret and present atmospheric air quality data from one of Brisbane's air quality stations in a form of scientific report.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Theory Exam
Theory based examination to assess cumulative knowledge gained throughout the semester.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
All learning materials to support your learning in this unit will be available in your Canvas unit site. Below is a list of recommended, not required books, which you might like to use as part of this unit.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change by Spyros Pandis and John Seinfeld
Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry by Daniel Jacob
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Written scientific report, Theory Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Theory Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Theory Exam - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Written scientific report
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Written scientific report, Theory Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Theory Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Theory Exam - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Written scientific report