ERB311 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: | ERB311 |
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Prerequisite(s): | PQB360 |
Credit points: | 12 |
Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
Availabilities |
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CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
International unit fee | $5,760 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
Unit code: | ERB311 |
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Credit points: | 12 |
Pre-requisite: | PQB360 |
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 technic (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
The unit combines blended online and conventional lectures, practicals and collaborative tutorials to provide both theoretical and important practical experience.
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.
Assessment
Overview
You will be expected to undertake a number of assessments related to the learning outcomes of this unit (see below).
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
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 is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Theory Exam
Theory based examination to assess cumulative knowledge gained throughout the semester.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
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.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Recommended, not required:
Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry by Daniel Jacob
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change by Spyros Pandis and John Seinfeld
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the unit.