SOUTH DAKOTA

SCHOOL OF MINES
& TECHNOLOGY

Search
Directories
Current Students
Faculty & Staff
Local Weather

Syllabus, ATM 670 [Spring 2010] Boundary Layer Processes
 

ATM 520: Satellite Remote Sensing

 

IAS Logo
ATM 670
Boundary Layer Processes
"A Graduate Level Course in Boundary Layer Meteorology, Atmospheric Turbulence and Land Surface Processes"

Institute of Atmospheric Sciences
South Dakota School of Mines
Rapid City, South Dakota

Who Where When

Prof: Bill Capehart, Mineral Industries 213, Open Door Office and Appointments,
Ph: 394-1994, Email: <William.Capehart@sdsmt.edu>
Classroom: MI 220, MWF 1000-1050
WWW: http://capehart.sdsmt.edu/atm-670.html

Reference Text

Stull, An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology 

Additional Texts on Reserve

Oke, Boundary Layer Climates
Blackadar, Lectures in Atmospheric Turbulence
Arya, Introduction to Micrometeorology
As a professional courtesy, please keep all other turbulence-related texts in the stacks

Overview


Catalog Description:  (3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisites: ATM 501 (Atmospheric Physics), ATM 560 (Atmospheric Dynamics 2), or permission of instructor. Atmospheric structure and processes near the ground. Turbulence and the closure problem, buoyancy and stress-driven mixed layers, mixed layer growth, heat, moisture, and momentum transfer, surface balance of radiation, heat and moisture, parameterization, and modeling of the boundary layer. Satisfies the Meteorology distribution requirement for the ATM MS program

Prerequisites

This course presumes a basic understanding of fluid dynamics of atmospheric motion.   Normally this entails the traditional two-semester  Atmospheric Dynamics sequence (typically using Holton's An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology text).  

Students from an engineering background should find a typical upper level or graduate level Fluid Dynamics course (e.g., taught with Kundu's Fluid Mechanics text) reasonable preparation for this course.

Students needing clarification as to whether or not they qualify for this course should feel free to contact the instructor.

Program Certifications

This course satisfies the IAS MS program Meteorology coursework requirement.

Course Topics

UNIT ONE: FUNDEMENTALS OF ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE

Introductory Boundary Layer Characteristics (Stull Ch 1)
Statistical Representation of Turbulence (Stull Ch 2)
Governing Equations of Turbulent Flow (Stull Ch 3)
Dimensional Analysis and Similarity Theory (Stull 9)

UNIT TWO: TURBULENCE IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Equations of Turbulent Flow and Fluxes (Stull Ch 4)
Turbulent Kinetic Energy (Stull Ch 5)
Closure of the Turbulent Equations (Stull 6)
Spectral Similarity Theory (Stull 8 & 9)

UNIT THREE: LAND SURFACE PROCESSES

The Surface Energy Budget (Stull 7 + Oke)
Representations of the Land Surface (Oke + Readings)
The Integration of the  Surface and the Turbulent Equations (Oke + Readings)
Scale, Heterogeneity and Surface Atmospheric Exchange (Oke + Readings)

UNIT FOUR: BOUNDARY LAYER PHENOMENA

The Convective Mixed Layer (Stull 11)
The Stable Boundary Layer (Stull 12)
Boundary Layer Clouds (Stull 13)

TENTATIVE UNIT: BOUNDARY LAYER APPLICATIONS: WIND POWER

TBD

Grading

Exams

There will be three exam periods scheduled for the middle of February and March, and also Finals Week.  These exams will have 4-5 questions and will stress concepts and the ability to grasp material presented in the lectures and assignments towards application as well as bridging the gap between concrete (physical) and abstract (math).  Advice: Don't even think of starting to study the night before the exam.  

Quizzes

There will be short bi-weekly quizzes at the close of class addressing recent material.

Project/Paper

Students will be required to turn in a research paper on a subject relevant to atmospheric boundary layer systems. This will likely take the form of a literature review of a topic pertinent to boundary-layer meteorology. Parameters for the project will be delivered in Mid March.

Machine/Human Compatibility And Related Items

B/W and Color Computer-based Visualization is a critical part of this course.  Any specific physical issues (e.g., vision problems including red-green colorblindness) to the individual, machine related or otherwise, should be brought to my immediate attention in person and that of the campus ADA coordinator. 

SD BOR Freedom of Learning Statement

"Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation." 

SD Board of Regents

SDSM&T Electronic Devices Policy

"Please turn off your cell phone before class starts. No text messaging in class. No headphones. If you wish to use a laptop in this class for purposes of note taking, that’s great; however, you will be required to download DyKnow software and then join ATM 450 to activate. Any attempt to circumvent the DyKnow monitoring system will be considered a form of cheating and a breach of academic integrity. Note that according to “Policy Governing Academic Integrity” in the SDSM&T Undergraduate Catalog, the instructor of record for this course has discretion of how acts of academic dishonesty are penalized, subject to the appeal process, and that “Penalties may range from requiring the student to repeat the work in question to failure in the course” (72-73). No other use of any other electronic/computer media is allowed during class time."

SD School of Mines

Specifically for ATM 670: As graduate students and upperclassmen you are "on duty" professionals in this course. I will treat you as such. Therefore, cell phones on vibrate only under reasonable (e.g., emergency) use. Instant Messaging and other non-relevant, inappropriate and otherwise non-directed internet usage is absolutely forbidden. You may be given a secure UNIX/LINUX account, observe all proper security and acceptable use policies.  Respect all professional and ethical boundaries.  Do not "borrow", "acquire" software, code from colleagues or other sources.  This is a "closed source" laboratory and course.

Supplemental Materials



Contact: William Capehart

This page has been visited 1,663 times since 04/05/2000
http://www.hpcnet.org/sdsmt/ias/courses/atm670 Last Modified: 01/13/2010

 
     

© - 1994-2010 - SDSM&T - All rights Reserved.