310 Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I. 3 cr. Introduction to theory of fluid motions for atmosphere and ocean. Elementary kinematics, fundamental forces, effects of earth's gravity and rotation, concepts and applications of hydrostatic and geostrophic balance. P: Physics 208 or con reg & Math 234 or con reg.
311 Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean II. 3 cr. Intermediate theory of fluid motions for atmosphere and ocean. Emphasis on large scale applications and basic theory for geophysical wave types. Thermal wind shear, frictional flow, vorticity concepts, Rossby waves, Sverdrup ocean flow. P: Atm Ocn 310, 330.
330 Physics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I. 3 cr. Physical variables, laws, characteristics and direct measurements for atmosphere and ocean. Thermodynamics and moist atmospheric processes. Basic physics of clouds, precipitation, and chemical constituents. P: Physics 208 or con reg & Math 234 or con reg.
331 Climatic Environments of the Past. (Crosslisted with Geog, Envir St) 3 cr. Climatic change at timescales from the last 1,000,000 years to the last 1000 years. Examines how climate variability arises from interplay between external forcings, feedbacks within the earth system, and (more recently) human activity. P: Atm Ocn/Geog/Envir St 121, or Geog 120, 123, 124 or 127 or Atm Ocn 100.
340 Physics of the Atmosphere and Ocean II. 2 cr. Radiation, energy budget and remote sensing of atmosphere and upper ocean. Scattering, absorption, emission and diabatic heating by shortwave and longwave processes. Remote sensing techniques and applications, including passive satellite soundings and active radar probes. P: Atm Ocn 330.
401 Topics in Meteorology. 2-3 cr. Special topics to be given as the need and opportunity arise. May be repeated for credit. P: Cons inst.
405 Aos Senior Capstone Seminar. 1 cr. Required senior seminar for AOS majors provides a synthesis and overview. Research on a topic of the student's choosing is presented at the end. P: Atm Ocn 310, 311, 330, 340.
425 Global Climate Processes. 3 cr. Overview of physical processes of the atmosphere and its coupling to the ocean and land. Understanding its seasonal climatology and variability. Synthesis through application of junior AOS core dynamics and physics to quantitatively understand diabatic, transport, and dissipative processes. Examples include global warming, air-ocean coupling, Enso, ozone hole, tropospheric water and chemistry issues, diurnal to interannual time scales. P: Atm Ocn 311, 340, or cons inst.
441 Radar and Satellite Meteorology. 3 cr. Provides undergraduate students with the necessary knowledge about radar and satellite meteorology. P: Atm Ocn 340 or cons inst.
452 Synoptic Laboratory I: The Frontal Cyclone. 4 cr. Cyclone and frontal theory; case studies illustrating the structure and evolution of the frontal cyclone; diagnostic techniques: interpretation of satellite photographs, preparation of vertical cross sections and isentropic analysis. P: Atm Ocn 311 & 340, or cons inst.
453 Synoptic Laboratory II: Mesoscale Meteorology. 4 cr. Local wind systems, thunderstorms, mesoscale convection systems, interactions with synoptic scale weather. Analysis, prediction, nowcasting and observation of mesoscale weather, including interpretation of satellite and radar information. P: Atm Ocn 311 & 340, or cons inst.
455 Severe Storm Forcasting and Observation. 1 cr. Application of severe storm forecasting and nowcasting techniques under operational conditions. Severe storm observation and photography (storm chasing), application in the field. P: Atm Ocn 453 or cons inst.
471 Numerical Techniques in Weather Prediction. 3 cr. Introduction to mathematical aspects of numerical weather prediction models. Formulation and solution properties for finite-difference equations. Hands-on experimentation with simple models for energy balance, advection, and motion. Numerical performance of current operational numerical weather prediction models. P: Atm Ocn 310, 311, 330 & 340 or cons inst.
472 Scientific Background to Global Environmental Problems. (Crosslisted with Envir St, Physics) 3 cr. A one-semester course designed to provide those elements of physics, atmospheric sciences, chemistry, biology and geology which are essential to a scientific understanding of global environmental problems. Specific examples of such problems include global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, acid rain and environmental toxins. Three lectures per week. P: HS algebra & 1 sem college level chem or physics, or cons inst.
508 Teacher Workshop in Satellite Meteorology. 1-2 cr. This workshop is designed to address the professional development needs for K-12 science teachers.
509 Teacher Workshop in Earth System Science - Web. 1-3 cr. These courses are designed to address the professional development needs for K-12 science teachers in the earth and space sciences. Topics will be designed to meet the Wisconsin State Science standards and be presented by science and education experts. P: Cons inst.
520 Bioclimatology. (Crosslisted with Envir St) 3 cr. Meteorology and climatology as they relate to problems in biology and agricultural production. P: Jr st and 1 crse in either basic biology or basic meteorology.
522 Tropical Meteorology. 3 cr. Characteristics of the tropical atmosphere; local and diurnal phenomena; tropical synoptic systems; circulation and energetics; mechanisms of tropical climate variations. P: Atm Ocn 311, 340.
528 Past Climates and Climatic Change. (Crosslisted with Envir St, Geog) 3 cr. Climatic change throughout geologic time, especially in the last 10 millennia; mechanisms of change, evidence, and criteria, paleogeography and paleoclimatology, climate models. P: Jr st or one year calculus-based college physics or introduction to weather and climate; or cons inst.
531 Global Climates. (Crosslisted with Geog) 3 cr. Special topics in climatology; a descriptive and explanatory analysis of the climatic characteristics of each continent, with emphasis on deviations from the world pattern. P: Geog 321 or equiv or cons inst.
532 Environmental Biophysics. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci) 3 cr. Plant-environment interactions with particular reference to energy exchanges and water relations. Models are used to provide a quantitative synthesis of information from plant physiology, soil physics, and micrometeorology with some consideration of plant-pest interactions. P: Intro calc, Physics 103, Botany 130 & comp programng; or cons inst.
535 Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Pollution. (Crosslisted with Envir St) 3 cr. Physical principles of atmospheric transport processes. Variation of transport in time and place. Local and regional concentrations of pollutants. Environmental implications of air pollution and control strategies. P: Math 212, Physics 202, or cons inst.
559 Weekly Weather Watch. 1 cr. Weekly discussion and diagnoses of the recent and current weather as well as forecast of the future weather. Topics in large and synoptic-scale dynamics, thermodynamics, and air-sea interaction are discussed depending on the phenomena of interest. P: Either Atm Ocn 310, 330, 311, & 340 (as a sequence), or Atm Ocn 610 & 630 as a sequence.
575 Climatological Analysis. 3 cr. Mathematical and statistical tools applicable to the investigation of climatological problems; nature and treatment of climatological data. P: Atm Ocn 311 & 340, or cons inst.
601 Challenging Problems of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. 2-3 cr. Individual staff members weave detailed subjects into the general fabric of the physical environment. P: Cons inst.
610 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I. 3 cr. Basic dynamic concepts: equations of motion, basic approximations, Coriolis force, wave motions, normal modes, gravity waves, frictional turbulence and convective processes, geostrophic adjustment, scaling argument, effects of rotation on wave motions. Vorticity and potential vorticity. P: Physics 208, Math 234 & cons inst.
611 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics II. 3 cr. Quasi-geostrophic motion, potential vorticity equations, E-P fluxes, Rossby waves, boundary layer processes, wind-driven ocean circulation and western boundary currents, barotropic and baroclinic instability, tropical flows. P: Atm Ocn 610 or cons inst.
623 Electronic Aids to Measurement. (Crosslisted with Physics) 4 cr. Fundamentals of electronics, electronic elements, basic circuits; combinations of these into measuring instruments. Three lectures and one three-hour lab per week. P: Physics 321 or cons inst.
630 Introduction to Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics. 3 cr. Graduate level core course, covering thermodynamics theory of multiphase systems, thermodynamic analysis of atmosphere, microphysical processes in the atmosphere, atmospheric and oceanic chemical processes, conduction of heat and moisture into the atmosphere from ocean and land surface. P: Physics 208, Math 234 & cons inst.
637 Cloud Physics. 3-4 cr. Processes of cloud formation, growth, and dissipation from the standpoint of both the cloud particles and the whole cloud as a dynamic entity. P: Atm Ocn 311 & 340, or cons inst.
638 Atmospheric Chemistry. 3 cr. Evolution of the atomsphere, chemical structure, instrumental analysis, trace gases, aerosol mechanics, chemical processes. P: One year calculus-based college physics, chemistry, and calculus for science majors, or cons inst.
640 Radiation in the Atmosphere and Ocean. 3 cr. Graduate level core course in radiation. Introduction to basic laws, radiative transfer under clear sky conditions, scattering by individual particles, multiple scattering, radiative properties of clouds and aerosols, energy budget, miscellaneous applications. P: Physics 208, Math 234 & cons inst.
650 Analysis of Atmospheric Systems. 3 cr. Graduate level core lab and lecture course designed to quantitatively analyze, descriptively define and physically interpret atmospheric structures, climate and flow systems depicted by observations on scales ranging from the global circulation to those of turbulence in the planetary boundary layer. Observation and analysis strategies. P: Atm Ocn 610, 630 or cons inst.
651 Synoptic-Dynamic Laboratory. 3 cr. Quantitative lab applications of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics to synoptic systems. Jet stream systems, cyclone development, global air motions, performance of numerical prediction models, local surface forecasting. P: Atm Ocn 610 & 630 & cons inst, or Atm Ocn 650.
660 Introduction to Physical Oceanography. 3 cr. Physical properties of sea water: ocean climatology, water, salt and heat budget, measurements, ocean circulation and water mass of the world ocean, thermocline, thermohaline, equatorial ocean and southern ocean. P: Physics 208, Math 234 & cons inst.
699 Directed Study. 1-5 cr. P: Jr or Sr st. Graded on a lettered basis; requires cons inst.
705 The Middle Atmosphere. 3 cr. Dynamics, chemistry and radiation of the stratosphere and mesosphere. Structure and composition. Observing techniques. Gravity, Rossby, and Kelvin waves. Wave-mean flow interaction. Instabilities. Tracer transport. Modeling the middle atmosphere. Ozone layer. Greenhouse effect. P: Atm Ocn 610, 630 or equiv.
712 General Circulation of the Atmosphere. 3 cr. The theory of the general circulation with emphasis on the sources, sinks, and transport of mass, angular momentum, and energy that serve to maintain the circumpolar vortex. P: Atm Ocn 610, 630 or equiv.
718 Dynamics of Moist Convective Systems. 3 cr. Governing equations for non-hydrostatic dynamics, mixed phase thermodynamics and microphysics. Cumulus parameterization and scale interactions. Application to theoretical and numerical models of thunderstorms (and attendant weather phenomena) and Mesoscale Convective Systems in the extra tropics and tropics. P: Atm Ocn 610, 630.
740 Advanced Atmospheric Radiation. 3 cr. The course deals with advanced topics in atmospheric radiative transfer. These include numerical methods to solve the radiative transfer equation, theory of scattering by spherical and non-spherical particles and advanced topics in gas absorption. P: Atm Ocn 640.
745 Meteorological Satellite Applications. (Crosslisted with Envir St) 2-3 cr. Use of satellite imagery and measurements in meteorological research and operations; orbital characteristics; navigation; instrumentation. P: Atm Ocn 640 or 1 yr calc-based college physics & Math 234.
750 Problems in Oceanography. (Crosslisted with Geology, Envir St, Zoology) 3 cr. Introduction to techniques used in the study of the biology, chemistry, geology, and physics of the marine environment. P: Cons inst.
760 Large-Scale Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling. 3 cr. Various aspects of global ocean-atmosphere coupling and climate variability; global surface flux distribution; mixed layer dynamics; tropical dynamics and El Nino and Southern Oscillation; extratropical ocean-atmosphere coupling; interannual to interdecadal climate variability. P: Atm Ocn 611 & 660, or cons inst.
761 Dynamics of Ocean Circulation. 3-4 cr. Theories of general oceanic circulation: Sverdrup flow, western boundary layer; thermocline circulation, recirculation theory, ventilated thermocline theory; thermohaline circulation, abyssal flow, thermohaline instability and multiple equilibria. P: Atm Ocn 610, 660.
771 Numerical Modeling in Meteorology. 3 cr. Advanced techniques for development of meteorological numerical models. Survey of existing models for general circulation, operational weather prediction, mesoscale convection, and turbulence with emphasis on numerical methods and solution accuracy. P: Atm Ocn 610, 630 or cons inst.
773 Boundary Layer Meteorology. 3 cr. Observations of and theories for boundary layers, turbulence, spectra, plumes, dust devils, convection, terrain effects, and other phenomena in the lowest 2 km of the atmosphere. P: Atm Ocn 311, 340; or 610, 630.
801 Topics in Theoretical Meteorology. 2-3 cr. Advanced level subjects in dynamics, synoptics, climate-dynamics and atmospheric physics including recent advances. P: Grad level gen meteor & cons inst.
900 Seminar-Meteorology. 1-2 cr. P: Grad st.
907 Seminar: Research Presentations. 1 cr. Required weekly seminar for all M.S. and Ph.D. students pursuing a degree with thesis, given each semester. Students, faculty and research staff present aspects of their work in progress, with topics advertized in the weekly AOS calendar. In-depth discussion will be included, to foster independent, original work. Grading will be based on regular participation. P: All graduate students except those pursuing the non-thesis MS degree option.
911 Limnology and Marine Science Seminar. (Crosslisted with Botany, Civ Engr, Envir St, Geology, Zoology) 1 cr. Sections in various fields of zoological research. P: Grad st in limnology & marine sci grad prgm or cons inst.
915 Seminar-Dynamics. 1-2 cr. P: Grad st.
925 Seminar-Climatology. (Crosslisted with Envir St) 1-2 cr. Historical climatology with emphasis on the last few centuries. P: Grad st.
935 Seminar-Physical Meteorology. 1-2 cr. Topics in physical meteorology are explored at an advanced graduate level, including severe storms, cloud physics and atmospheric chemistry, depending on istructor. P: Grad st.
945 Radiation and Remote Sensing Seminar. 1-2 cr. Topics in radiation and remote sensing of the atmosphere and ocean. Emphasis will be on current and classical problems in radiative transfer and remote sensing. P: Grad st.
955 Seminar - Weather Systems. 1-2 cr. Topics in weather systems are explored at an advanced graduate level, including problems in synoptics, mesoscale, and micrometeorological weather phenomena, depending on instructor. P: Grad st.
965 Seminar-Oceanography. 1-2 cr. P: Grad st.
975 Seminar - Numerical Modeling/Data Assimilation. 1-2 cr. Topics in numerical modeling and data assimilation are explored at an advanced graduate level. P: Grad st.
980 Earth System Science Seminar. (Crosslisted with Botany, Envir St, Forest, Geog, Geology, Zoology) 1 cr. Topics in earth system science. Emphasis on the coupling between atmospheric, oceanic and land surface systems, involving physical geochemical and biological processes, and including interactions with human systems. P: Grad st.
990 Research. 1-12 cr. P: Grad st.
999 Advanced Independent Study. 1-6 cr. P: Grad st.