Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry (MEA 425/525)
This is a 3 credit course open to both undergraduate and graduate students, scheduled at M/W 1:30-2:45 PM. Slightly different homework, exam, and course project will be assigned to undergraduate and graduate students.
This course aims to help students understand air pollution, greenhouse gases, and how they interact with climate change and extreme weather. By the end of the semester, students will have a basic knowledge of:
- The chemical composition of the atmosphere
- The sources and sinks of trace gases and aerosols in the atmosphere
- The importance of chemicals in the atmosphere for climate, human health and ecosystem health
- Air pollution, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, and major greenhouse gases
Core topics include:
– Atmospheric structure, transport, and radiation.
– Kinetics and atmospheric chemistry.
– Stratospheric chemistry.
– Tropospheric chemistry.
– Air pollution: Ozone.
– Air pollution: Acid rain and inorganic aerosols.
– Air pollution: organic aerosols.
– Greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and methane.
– Mercury.
Lectures: M/W 1:30 – 2:45 PM, Jordan Hall 1112
Instructor: Dr. Zhen Qu
Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences