ATMO 441a/541a
Dynamic Meteorology
Fall 2009
To understand the
dynamics and thermodynamics of large-scale atmospheric motions associated with
weather and climate.
Prof. Steven L.
Mullen
PAS Room 552
Tel: 621-6842
Email: mullen@atmo.arizona.edu
TR, 2:00 - 3:15 pm in
PAS Room 488
By appointment, or a
drop by basis.
Generally available
between 10:00 am - 1 pm on class days and immediately after class; hours are
more erratic on other weekdays.
Always
knock on the door. When I am in
the office, I almost always keep the door closed to block noise from the hall.
MATH 223 (Vector
Calculus), preferably MATH 254 (Ordinary Differential Equations), PHYS 141/142
or 151/152 (General Physics w/Calculus Applications)
ATMO 436A or
instructor's permission, plus commitment to learn a little math on the fly if
necessary.
Homework (50%) +
Midterm and Final Exams (30% for higher score, 20% for the lower score)
|
Grade |
Percent P |
|
A |
90%
≤ P |
|
B |
80%
≤ P < 90% |
|
C |
70%
≤ P < 80% |
|
D |
60%
≤ P < 70% |
|
E |
P
< 60% |
I reserved the right
to make reasonable (a.k.a. minor) downward adjustments to the above intervals if
the course grade distribution is shifted so low that a preponderance of failing
or inferior marks occurs. The
option to adjust does not mean that a lowering of interval thresholds will
occur to boost an average score (~70%) to an A or very poor score (<50%) score
to a D, etc.
Homework constitutes
the most critical component of the course, and it is weighted accordingly in
your course grade. You learn dynamics by working problems, verifying book and
lecture derivations, and providing physical interpretations for equations and
solutions. Consequently,
this class is designed to exercise your ability to solve problems. There will be approximately 6-10 homework sets. Hence, each
HW assignment will count a significant fraction of your course grade; the exact
value of a homework assignment will depend on the number and difficulty of
problems. Problems will be primarily selected from the required Holton’s textbook,
and they may include some of the Matlab exercises in the end of the chapters.
You are encouraged to exchange ideas on solution techniques for the homework
sets with fellow students, but each of you must turn in a unique solution set
that reflects your effort alone. I recommend the online resource Solving Problems in Physics by Dan Syter, who offers advice that may improve
your ability to solve problems. We will also work a few practice problems
together in class. A
“mini-project” or “interpretive assignment” is also possible near the end of
the term; more on this later.
Graduate and
undergraduate students will be assigned the same homework sets. The grading for
graduate/undergraduate students will be more/less stringent. Late homework that
is turned in before the distribution of answer sheet will result in an
escalating penalty of Nx10% (subtracted from maximum possible score), where N
is the number of weekdays late. (e.g., one weekday late is a 10% reduction; 2
weekdays late is 20%; 3 weekdays late is 30%...) A homework set that is handed
in after the distribution of the answer sheet will result in zero points for
that assignment. I view zero assignments very unfavorably, and I consider just
one zero grounds for eliminating a student from any possible end-of-term
“adjustment”. I will distribute the answer key to the
class with their graded assignment, typically one week after the homework is
submitted. By taking this class, you
implicitly agree to not give answer keys to another student.
Exams for graduate
students may contain additional problems and problems of greater difficulty. Graduate
exams will also be subject to more stringent scoring. The score for any missing
exam is taken as zero. Exams or portions thereof may be take home.
After Lecture: Re-read the relevant Chapter if necessary; go over
lecture notes; complete the homework on time; be professional
Any Time: I am not
perfect. Some mistakes (all of which are my responsibility) are bound to occur.
Many are as simple or obvious such as my poor script or a dropped sign; others
may be far more sinister. Please bring miscues of any type (minor or major) to
the attention of the instructor. Your corrections are welcome.
Course Guidelines and
Policies:
Office Hours: Students are encouraged to drop by my office for
help or questions related to the course. More seasoned graduate students are
also a valuable resource to help with the material, and they are usually more
than willing to take some time to help within
reason.
Due Dates and Exams: Due dates for problem sets and
exams will be announced in class. Make-ups for the exams are not allowed as a
rule. Please contact me immediately if any extenuating circumstance arises
during the semester that might impact your class performance.
Attendance: Attendance, attentiveness and interest are your
responsibility. Students are responsible for all material missed in class,
which includes homework sets and exams. If you are absent, I expect 1)
assignments due that day to be turned in early and 2) exams scheduled for that
day to be taken early subject to my prior approval.
Special Needs: If you are involved in any special academic program,
are on academic probation, or have other special needs, please meet privately
with me during the first week of the semester to discuss your situation.
Academic Integrity, and Other Important UA Policies and Procedures: Homework
problems and exam questions are designed to reflect the work and progress of
each individual student. They are to be completed by each individual student,
and not as a group. Obtaining answer keys for the homework sets from students
who took the course in prior years is verboten. The University of Arizona's
Code of Academic Integrity can be found under the appropriate link at UA Policies and Procedures. Each student is
responsible for knowing the Code of Academic Integrity and adhering to
it. I have a zero tolerance,
no exceptions policy to
violations of the Code of Academic Integrity. You can submit Code of Conduct accusations
about fellow students online at Anonymous Complaint Form. Submissions are
completely anonymous. I will investigate the allegations further.
Textbooks and References:
With one exception, I
limit discussion to books that I have used as references and are in print, and
I own. Many other excellent reference
books on atmospheric dynamic and thermodynamics are available in print.
J. R. Holton, 2004*
(*Purchased a copy using my own resources.)
An
Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, 4th Ed.
Academic Press, 535
pp.
ISBN 978-0123540157
Industry standard on
atmospheric dynamics for seniors and first-year graduate students. I will
follow the book very closely, but
some material will be skipped or skimmed over (i.e. you are responsible for the
reading and learning it on your own) while some complementary material from
other references may be included.
G. K. Vallis, 2006*
Atmospheric
and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics: Fundamentals and Large-Scale Circulation
Cambridge University
Press, 745 pp
ISBN: 978-0521849692
Recent textbook
targeted for graduate students and advanced
undergraduates. This book is a gem that will likely become a standard of
modern-day, large-scale dynamics. Contains concise derivations and cogent
interpretations. Excellent value. Vallis takes a more balance between
atmosphere and ocean applications than Holton. Subjects range from impact of
turbulent motions on large-scale motions, wave-mean interaction, and theorems
of atmospheric general circulation. Consider getting a copy.
J. E. Martin, 2006*
Mid-Latitude
Atmospheric Dynamics: A First Course
Wiley, 324 pp.
ISBN 978-0470864654
Textbook for seniors
and beginning graduate students that covers the staples of 1st
semester course in synoptic-dynamic meteorology. Thorough treatment of
quasi-geostrophic theory and frontogenesis with excellent concluding chapters
on cyclone development and PV thinking. Good schematics and synoptic
interpretations to illustrate dynamic principles. The material in Martin
closely corresponds to what is covered in Chapters 1-6, 8 and 9 of Holton, and
for that reason it is recommended as an interpretative supplement to the
required text and my lectures. Martin contains no formal material on waves and stability,
however.
H. B. Bluestein,
1992*
Synoptic
Dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes Volume I
Oxford Press, 431 pp.
ISBN: 978-0195062670
H. B. Bluestein,
1993*
Synoptic
Dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes Volume II
Oxford Press, 594 pp.
ISBN: 978-0195062687
Comprehensive and
comprehensible collection of fundamental material on mid-latitude
synoptic-dynamic meteorology that helps bridge the gap between theory and
observations. This is a volume for weather nuts. There is a wealth of weather
maps and clear schematics to illustrate the underlying dynamics and
thermodynamics of “weather”. Bluestein devotes more time to the filling-in
steps of derivations than most authors. The two-volume set goes well beyond
Martin in detail and scope. Fortunately the cost has gone down since its
introduction, as each book can be found new for well under $100.
J. M. Wallace and P.
V. Hobbs, 2006*
Atmospheric
Science: An Introductory Survey, 2nd Ed.
Academic Press, 483
pp.
ISBN:
978-0127329512
An excellent,
all-around reference for students with interests in atmospheric-climate
sciences. Target audience is seniors and first-year graduate students in the
atmospheric sciences and its sister disciplines. It is rightly renown for its
breadth of material and its clarity of interpretative explanations. The
inclusion of chapters on synoptic meteorology and atmospheric chemistry, among
other things, separates W&H from other survey level texts. Recently
updated; the 2nd edition has outstanding
figures. Excellent value. Highly recommended. If you choose to have only one
atmospheric-climate science reference on your bookshelf, this might be the one.
(Open disclosure: Mike Wallace was my dissertation advisor. Moreover, I have
found memories of my entering graduate class at the U. Wash. “proofing” a final
draft of the1st edition and working most of the problems during the
fall quarter.)
J. Marshall and R. A.
Plumb, 2007^
Atmosphere,
Ocean and Climate Dynamics: An Introductory Text
Academic Press, 344
pp.
ISBN: 978-0125586917
Another broad survey
that integrates atmosphere, ocean and climate dynamics. Its inclusion of the ocean
and its circulation, and GFD laboratory experiments (e.g. turntable water
tanks) makes it a wonderful complement to Wallace and Hobbs. Target audience is
upper-division undergraduates and 1st year graduate students. Good
value. (^ I have only read bits and pieces of a preliminary version that used
to be online, but I was sufficiently impressed to place it in the “to get”
queue.)
M. L. Salby, 1996*
Fundamentals
of Atmospheric Physics, Volume 61
Academic Press, 627
pp.
ISBN: 978-012-6151602
Broad survey in the
spirit of Wallace and Hobbs. Its material is presented at a somewhat higher
mathematical level than Wallace and Hobbs, but Salby does not include material
on synoptics, air chemistry, or climate dynamics.
B.Cushman-Roisin and J.-M. Beckers, 2010** (**As of 8/19/2009, a preliminary version could be
downloaded from here or here.)
Introduction to
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, 2nd Edition Volume 98
Physical and
Numerical Aspects
Academic Press,
approximately 750 pp.
ISBN: 978-0120887590
The long awaited
follow-up to the popular (and out-of-print) 1st edition.
Cushman-Roisin and Beckers offers a thorough survey of atmospheric-oceanic GFD.
What separates CR&B is end of each chapter also includes material on computational fluid dynamics and
related MATLAB codes; hence, book provides a unified introduction to GFD
without having to purchase separate books on theory and modeling. Presentation
is about the same level as Holton.
The projected publication date** is Jan 2010. The projected cost is
~$100.
J. C. McWilliams,
2006*
Fundamental
of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Cambridge University Press, 266 pp.
ISBN-:
978-0521856379
A tight, meaty
treatment that contains subjects (e.g. nonlinear dynamics, chaos, solitons) not
extensively covered in other existing GFD books. McWilliams fills some
important voids in what currently exists.
J. Pedlosky, 2003*
Waves in the Ocean and Atmosphere:
Introduction to Wave Dynamics
Springer, 260 pp.
ISBN: 978-3540003403
A concise text on the
“fundamentals” of waves in the atmosphere-ocean that is based on a course that
Pedlosky teaches. Covers a complete spectrum of GFD waves ranging from gravity
waves, Rossby waves, instabilities, and wave-mean flow interactions. Target
audience is first year graduates. To understand waves is to understand fluids.
A. E. Gill, 1982*
Atmospheric-Ocean
Dynamics
Academic Press, 662
pp.
ISBN: 978-0122835223
A classic on
atmosphere-oceanic dynamics, and for good reason. Strong on equatorial dynamics
and gravity waves. More advanced treatment than Holton and this course. Beloved
by dynamists.
J. Pedlosky, 1992* (I
have the 1st Ed.)
Geophysical
Fluid Dynamics, 2nd Ed.
Springer; 728 pp.
ISBN: 978-0387963877
Another beloved
classic. Strong on low Rossby number flows; thus a nice complement to Gill.
More advanced treatment than Holton and this course.
P. K. Kundu, 2007*
Fluid Mechanics 4th Ed.
Academic Press, 638 pp.
ISBN: 978-0123737359
A comprehensive introductory text
on the fundamentals of fluid mechanics with later chapters devoted to fluid
applications from various disciplines (~70 p. on GFD, aerodynamics, biofluids,
etc). Kundu contains a nice review chapter on some background math that is
needed to study fluids. Comparable
level as Holton.
G.
K. Batchelor, 2000*
Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
Cambridge
University Press, 635 pp.
ISBN:
978-0521663960
Classic treatment on fundamentals
of fluid dynamics. Limited material on
GFD (shallow fluids on a rotating sphere).
Evolving
Topics
Important Dates Supplemental
Readings
HW #1
Solutions
HW #2
Solutions
HW #3
Solutions
HW #4
Solutions
HW #5
Solutions
HW #6
Solutions
HW #7
Solutions
HW #8
Solutions
HW #9
Solutions