Courses

Covers equations of fluid motion relevant to planetary atmospheres and oceans, and stellar atmospheres; effects of rotation and viscosity; and vorticity dynamics, boundary layers, and wave motions. Introduces instability theory, nonlinear equilibration, and computational methods in fluid dynamics. Prereq., partial differential equations or equivalent. Same as ASTR 5400. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Nonlinear waves and instabilities; wave-mean and wave-wave interactions, resonant triads; secondary instability and transition to turbulence; diagnosis, modeling, and parameterization of turbulent flows in geophysics and astrophysics. Prereq., ASTR 5120, ATOC 5060, or 5400. Same as ASTR 5410.

Applied mathematics course; provides necessary analytical background for courses in plasma physics,fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, and radiative transfer. Covers integration techniques, linear and nonlinear differential equations, WKB and Fourier transform methods, adiabatic invariants, partial differential equations, integral equations, and integrodifferential equations. Same as ASTR 5540. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Application of radiative transfer theory to problems in planetary atmospheres, with primary emphasis on the Earth's atmosphere; principles of atomic and molecular spectroscopy; infrared band representation; absorption and emission of atmospheric gases; radiation flux and flux divergence computations; radiative transfer and fluid motions; additional applications such as the greenhouse effect, inversion methods and climate models. Recommended prereq., ATOC 5235. Same as ASTR 5560.

Clouds and aerosols are ubiquitous in planetary atmospheres, where they impact climate, atmospheric chemistry, remote sensing, and weather. Applies basic microphysical, radiative, and chemical processes affecting particles to issues in current literature. ATOC graduate CORE course. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Same as ATOC 4750.

Covers the fundamentals underlying the design, construction, and use of instrumentation used for astrophysical research ranging from radio-wavelengths to gamma rays. Topics include: Fourier transforms and their applications; optical design concepts; incoherent and coherent signal detection; electronics and applications; signal acquisition and processing. Prereq., graduate standing.

Covers the structure, composition, and dynamics of planetary atmospheres. Also includes origin of planetary atmospheres, chemistry and cloud physics, greenhouse effects, climate, and the evolution of planetary atmospheres past and future. Prereq., graduate standing in a physical science, or instructor consent. Same as ASTR/GEOL 5810. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Reviews protoplanetary disks, condensation in the solar nebula, composition of meteorites, planetary accretion, comets and asteroids, planetary rings, and extrasolar planets. Applies celestial mechanics to the orbital evolution of solar system bodies. Prereq., graduate standing in a physical science, or instructor consent. Same as ASTR 5820 and GEOL 5820. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Covers current topics in planetary science based on recent discoveries, spacecraft observations, or other developments. Focuses on a specific topic such as Mars, Venus, Galilean satellites, exobiology, comets, or extrasolar planets. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours, provided the topics vary. Prereq., graduate standing in physical sciences, or instructor consent. Same as ASTR 5830 and GEOL 5830.

Studies current research on a topic in planetary science. Subjects may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 4 total credit hours to meet candidacy requirements. Prereq., graduate standing or instructor consent. Same as ASTR 5835 and GEOL 5835. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Prereq., instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Studies an area of current research in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Students read selected papers from the literature. Students and faculty give presentations and participate in discussions. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours within the degree. May be repeated for a total of 3 credit hours within a semester. Prereq., graduate standing and instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Discusses background theory and procedures used in weather and climate prediction on a variety of space and time scales. Includes the forecasting of weather on time scales of days; error growth in numerical models; prediction of El Nino and monsoon variability; and prediction of the impact of anthropogenic influences on climate. Consists of lectures and a weekly laboratory. Prereq., ATOC 5060, 5061, or instructor consent.

Acquaints students with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section.