Objectives:
The course aims to introduce students to advanced topics in atmospheric dynamics taking the students to the frontiers of the scientific field in certain topics. The students will acquire new and deeper knowledge about the dynamics of the atmosphere and learn new solution techniques to solve advanced physical problems. The course thereby aims to aid the students in understanding the complex workings of the atmosphere and its circulation.
Content:
The course treats advanced Atmospheric Dynamics utilitzing the governing equations scaled for various problems ranging from the large- to the meso-scale. The quasi-geostrophic vorticity equation will be used for extended treatment of baroclinic instability, discussing the differences of the Eady, Charney and Phillips models and their relevance to real atmospheric flow. The course will expand the concept of potential vorticity and discuss synoptic to meso-scale atmospheric phenomena in the light of potential vorticity thinking. The concept of eddy-mean-flow interactions and wave breaking will be introduced together with the Eliassen-Palm flux. In this context, vertical and horizontal propagation of Rossby waves will be discussed as well.
On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student
Skills
The student
General competence
The student
The teaching is given as lectures with discussions and as group exercises.