Basics Of Atmospheric Chemistry

AY2016/2017 Semester 2

This course will provide students with an overview of the most important concepts of atmospheric chemistry. The course will examine how atmospheric chemical species interact with other parts of the earth, and how chemical reactions in the atmosphere control their concentrations. Students will be taught how these chemical species and reactions influence both the global climate and environments. This course introduces students to atmospheric chemistry of the upper and lower atmosphere, including related environmental and climatic issues. Lectures in weeks 1-2 introduce the evolution of the atmosphere as well as units for atmospheric chemistry. Lecture s in week 3 introduce the basic atmospheric dynamics, which are important to understand atmospheric chemistry. After introducing basic box models, it will be utilized to discuss geochemical cycles. During lectures in weeks 6-7, students will learn about the chemistry in the stratosphere. Subsequently, students will learn about the chemistry in the troposphere during weeks 8-9. Lectures in weeks 10-11introduce atmospheric aerosol particles. The relationship between atmospheric chemistry and the global climate will be discussed in week 12.Students will learn about local air quality issues in week 13.