DEPT OF EARTH amp ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

Physics of ClimateEES 236436

Image Credit NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Fall 2018Syllabus

Last Updated August 28 2018

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 2 of 12

CONTENTS

1 Overview 311 Description 312 Pre-requisites 313 Main Learning Goals 3

2 Readings 521 Required 522 Supplemental 5

3 Schedule 631 Lectures 632 Recitation 10

4 Grading 1041 Exams 10

411 Midterms 10412 EES 236 Final 10

42 Quizzes 1143 EES 436 Term Paper 1144 Participation 11

5 Homework Policy 11

6 Classroom Policies 1261 Diversity and Disabilities 1262 Electronic Devices 12

7 Academic Honesty 12

8 Initial Meeting 12

9 Feedback 12

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 3 of 12

1 OVERVIEW

Course Location LeChase Hall 163Course Time TuTh 200 PM-315 PM

Recitation Location TBDRecitation Time TBD

Instructor Prof Lee T MurrayE-mail leemurrayrochestereduPhone +1 585-275-2077 (better to e-mail)Office Location Hutchison Hall 479Office Hours after class or by appointment

Teaching Assistant Xin TieE-mail xtieurrochestereduOffice Hours TBDOffice Hours Location Hutchison Hall 117

11 DESCRIPTION

A broad and quantitative overview of the basic features of Earthrsquos climate system and the underlyingphysical processes Topics include the global energy balance atmospheric thermodynamics radia-tive transfer cloud microphysics atmospheric dynamics general circulation weather systems surfaceprocesses ocean circulation and climate variability and forecasting Students will understand whatdrives present-day temperature precipitation and wind patterns as well as major modes of naturalclimate variability including the El Nintildeo-Southern Oscillation phenomenon and Ice Age cycles andextreme weather We will learn how the rise of human civilization has influenced the climate systemand how this legacy and our future actions can influence climate in the coming century

12 PRE-REQUISITES

Required unless granted permission by instructor

bull PHY 121 (Mechanics) or equivalent

Additionally required for EES 436 unless granted permission by instructor

bull MTH 165 (Linear Algebra with Differential Equations) or equivalent

13 MAIN LEARNING GOALS

The overarching goals of this class are

1 Graphical literacy Draw conclusions from atmospheric and other data by creating and inter-preting plots and graphs

2 Investigative thinking Be able to use logic data reasoning critical thinking andor the scientificmethod to formulate andor answer a question that is posed about atmospheric systems andclimate

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 3 of 12

1 OVERVIEW

Course Location LeChase Hall 163Course Time TuTh 200 PM-315 PM

Recitation Location TBDRecitation Time TBD

Instructor Prof Lee T MurrayE-mail leemurrayrochestereduPhone +1 585-275-2077 (better to e-mail)Office Location Hutchison Hall 479Office Hours after class or by appointment

Teaching Assistant Xin TieE-mail xtieurrochestereduOffice Hours TBDOffice Hours Location Hutchison Hall 117

11 DESCRIPTION

A broad and quantitative overview of the basic features of Earthrsquos climate system and the underlyingphysical processes Topics include the global energy balance atmospheric thermodynamics radia-tive transfer cloud microphysics atmospheric dynamics general circulation weather systems surfaceprocesses ocean circulation and climate variability and forecasting Students will understand whatdrives present-day temperature precipitation and wind patterns as well as major modes of naturalclimate variability including the El Nintildeo-Southern Oscillation phenomenon and Ice Age cycles andextreme weather We will learn how the rise of human civilization has influenced the climate systemand how this legacy and our future actions can influence climate in the coming century

12 PRE-REQUISITES

Required unless granted permission by instructor

bull PHY 121 (Mechanics) or equivalent

Additionally required for EES 436 unless granted permission by instructor

bull MTH 165 (Linear Algebra with Differential Equations) or equivalent

13 MAIN LEARNING GOALS

The overarching goals of this class are

1 Graphical literacy Draw conclusions from atmospheric and other data by creating and inter-preting plots and graphs

2 Investigative thinking Be able to use logic data reasoning critical thinking andor the scientificmethod to formulate andor answer a question that is posed about atmospheric systems andclimate

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 4 of 12

3 Societal and personal relevance Apply principles from the course to inform everyday choicesrelating to weather and climate (eg weather safety weather maps climate change adaptationand mitigation)

4 Enthusiasm for atmospheric science Develop an enthusiasm for the skills and perspectives ofatmospheric and climate science

5 Physical processes Identify and explain the basic physical processes that drive Earthrsquos climatesystem (eg energy distribution phase changes stability winds and currents) and be able toapply logic to predict how processes are impacted as conditions change These include abilityto

bull Distinguish between weather and climate processes

ndash Identify examples of weather and climatendash Appreciate regional differences in weather and climate and their respective causesndash Distinguish the temporal and spatial scales associated with weather and climate pro-

cessesndash Appreciate the differences in the predictability of the weather versus the predictability

of the climatendash What is and what is not evidence for anthropogenic climate change

bull Understand the context of our present-day climate in space and time

ndash How and why does Earthrsquos climate differ from those of Venus or Marsndash In what past climate states has Earth existed What may have driven these differencesndash What drives Ice Age advances and retreatsndash What are the major modes of present-day climate variability and their respective causesndash How does anthropogenic climate change compare to natural climate variability

bull Describe the global distribution of incomingoutgoingnet energy and the influence of theatmosphere on the Earthrsquos temperature Appreciate how this impacts global temperaturesand heat transport in the atmosphere and ocean

ndash Radiation distribution including longwave and shortwave radiation and the seasonsndash The greenhouse effectndash How radiation interacts with and is transformed by Earthrsquos atmospheres via absorption

emission and scatteringndash Global net radiation budgets

bull Explain how phase changes of water occur and how they impact weather and climate

ndash What leads to water vapor condensation in the atmospherendash Relative versus absolute measures of humidityndash Latent and sensible heatndash Cloud formation and precipitation

bull Understand how the atmosphere is coupled to the ocean cryosphere biosphere andorsolid Earth

ndash The carbon cyclendash Wind stress and its influence on upwelling sea ice processes thermohaline circulationndash Tropical cyclone and sea surface temperature feedbacksndash El Nintildeo-Southern Oscillationndash Land-sea breezes and monsoon circulationsndash Interaction between physical circulations and the distribution of life (eg phytoplank-

ton)

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 5 of 12

bull Name and describe the dynamics that drive atmospheric circulation across multiple spatialand temporal scales and use physical principles to predict how processes will evolve overtime

ndash Buoyancy and vertical stabilityndash Pressure gradient Coriolis centrifugal and frictional forcesndash Geostrophic and thermal wind balancesndash The planetary boundary layerndash Trade wind patternsndash Oceanic wind-driven and thermohaline circulationsndash Air masses and frontsndash Midlatitude cyclonesndash Tropical cyclones

2 READINGS

21 REQUIRED

BOOKS

Hartmann D L (2016) Global physical climatology 2 ed Elsevier Amsterdam doi101016B978-0-12-328531-700009-8

Stull R (2017) Practical Meteorology An Algebra-based Survey of Atmospheric Science 102b ed Univof British Columbia httpswwweoasubccabooksPractical_Meteorology

ARTICLES AND EXCERPTS

Blunden J D S Arndt and G Hartfield (2018) State of the Climate in 2017 B Am Me-teorol Soc 99(8) SindashS332 httpswwwametsocorgindexcfmamspublicationsbulletin-of-the-american-meteorological-society-bamsstate-of-the-climate

22 SUPPLEMENTAL

BOOKS

Holton J R and G J Hakim (2013) An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology 5 ed Elsevier Amster-dam

IPCC (2013) Climate Change 2013 The Physical Science Basis Contribution of Working Group I to theFifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Cambridge UniversityPress Cambridge United Kingdom and New York NY USA doi101017CBO9781107415324

Marshall J and R A Plumb (2007) Atmosphere Ocean and Climate Dynamics An Introductory Text1 ed Elsevier Burlington MA

Wallace J M and P V Hobbs (2006) Atmospheric Science An Introductory Survey 2 ed ElsevierAmsterdam

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 5 of 12

bull Name and describe the dynamics that drive atmospheric circulation across multiple spatialand temporal scales and use physical principles to predict how processes will evolve overtime

ndash Buoyancy and vertical stabilityndash Pressure gradient Coriolis centrifugal and frictional forcesndash Geostrophic and thermal wind balancesndash The planetary boundary layerndash Trade wind patternsndash Oceanic wind-driven and thermohaline circulationsndash Air masses and frontsndash Midlatitude cyclonesndash Tropical cyclones

2 READINGS

21 REQUIRED

BOOKS

Hartmann D L (2016) Global physical climatology 2 ed Elsevier Amsterdam doi101016B978-0-12-328531-700009-8

Stull R (2017) Practical Meteorology An Algebra-based Survey of Atmospheric Science 102b ed Univof British Columbia httpswwweoasubccabooksPractical_Meteorology

ARTICLES AND EXCERPTS

Blunden J D S Arndt and G Hartfield (2018) State of the Climate in 2017 B Am Me-teorol Soc 99(8) SindashS332 httpswwwametsocorgindexcfmamspublicationsbulletin-of-the-american-meteorological-society-bamsstate-of-the-climate

22 SUPPLEMENTAL

BOOKS

Holton J R and G J Hakim (2013) An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology 5 ed Elsevier Amster-dam

IPCC (2013) Climate Change 2013 The Physical Science Basis Contribution of Working Group I to theFifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Cambridge UniversityPress Cambridge United Kingdom and New York NY USA doi101017CBO9781107415324

Marshall J and R A Plumb (2007) Atmosphere Ocean and Climate Dynamics An Introductory Text1 ed Elsevier Burlington MA

Wallace J M and P V Hobbs (2006) Atmospheric Science An Introductory Survey 2 ed ElsevierAmsterdam

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 6 of 12

3 SCHEDULE

31 LECTURES

Below is the tentative class schedule with topics for each class associated readings and problem setdue dates and exam dates Schedule subject to change pending course progress

TUESDAY THURSDAY

Aug 28th 30th 1

OverviewKey Topics

1 Course Description and Expectations2 Overview of Present-Day Climate

Readingbull Syllabusbull Blunden et al (2018) Exec Summ

Sep 4th 2

History and Evolution of Earthrsquos ClimateKey Topics

1 Early Earth Climate (Hadean to Tertiary)2 Quaternary Climate (Ice Age Cycles)3 The Anthropocene

Readingbull Hartmann (2016) sect9

6th 3

Atmospheric BasicsKey Topics

1 Atmospheric Structure and Composition2 Pressure Temperature Density3 Equation of State (Ideal Gas Law)4 Hydrostatic Balance (Barometric Law)

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect1bull Hartmann (2016) sect11-14

11th 4

Atmospheric Thermodynamics IKey Topics

1 First Law of Thermodynamics2 Adiabatic Lapse Rate3 Potential Temperature

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect31-34bull Hartmann (2016) sect16

13th 5

Atmospheric Thermodynamics IIKey Topics

1 Atmospheric Water Vapor2 Saturation Vapor Pressure3 Moist Pseudoadiabatic Lapse Rate

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect4bull Hartmann (2016) sect15

PS1 Due at Class Start

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 7 of 12

TUESDAY THURSDAY

18th 6

Atmospheric Thermodynamics IIIKey Topics

1 Static Stability2 Conditional Instability3 Convection

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect5bull Hartmann (2016) sect16 (revisit)

20th 7

Global Energy Balance IKey Topics

1 The Radiation Spectrum2 Blackbody Radiation (Planckrsquos Law

Stefan-Boltzmann Law)3 Effective Temperature4 Albedo

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect2bull Hartmann (2016) sect21-24

PS2 Due at Class Start

25th 8

Global Energy Balance IIKey Topics

1 Greenhouse Effect2 Global Radiative Flux Energy Balance3 Top-of-the-Atmosphere Flux Distribution

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect211bull Hartmann (2016) sect25-29

27th 9

Midterm IIn class

Oct 2nd 10

Atmospheric Radiative Transfer IKey Topics

1 Selective Absorption and Emission byAtmospheric Gases

2 Scattering of Atmospheric Radiation(Rayleigh Mie)

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect211 sect224bull Hartmann (2016) sect31-36

4th 11

Atmospheric Radiative Transfer IIKey Topics

1 Vertical Radiative Heating and CoolingRates

2 Radiative Equilibrium3 Convective-Radiative Equilibrium4 Clouds and Radiation

Readingbull Hartmann (2016) sect37-313

PS3 Due at Class Start

9th 12

Surface Energy Balance IKey Topics

1 Radiative Heating of the Surface2 Sensible and Latent Heat Fluxes3 Turbulence4 Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect36 sect18bull Hartmann (2016) sect41-45

11th 13

Surface Energy Balance IIKey Topics

1 Vertical Structure of the Boundary Layer2 Diel Spatial and Seasonal Variability in

the Boundary LayerReading

bull Stull (2017) sect18bull Hartmann (2016) sect46-49

PS4 Due at Class Start

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 8 of 12

TUESDAY THURSDAY

16th

Fall Break

18th 14

Atmospheric General Circulation IKey Topics

1 Vorticity and Divergence2 Apparent Forces (Coriolis Centrifugal)3 Real Forces (Gravity Pressure-Gradient

Friction)Reading

bull Stull (2017) sect10

23rd 15

Atmospheric General Circulation IIKey Topics

1 Horizontal Force Balances2 Geostrophy3 Thermal Wind4 Barotropic vs Baroclinic Atmospheres

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect11

PS5 Due at Class StartEES 436 Term Paper Topics Due

25th 16

Atmospheric General Circulation IIIKey Topics

1 The ldquoPrimitiverdquo Equations2 Hadley Ferrel and Walker Circulations

Readingbull Hartmann (2016) sect6

30th 17

Ocean General CirculationKey Topics

1 Wind-Driven Circulation2 Deep Thermohaline Circulation3 Transport of Energy in the Ocean

Readingbull Hartmann (2016) sect7

PS6 Due at Class Start

Nov 1st 18

Weather Systems IKey Topics

1 Extratropical Cyclones2 Fronts

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect12 sect13

6th 19

Weather Systems IIKey Topics

1 Thunderstorms2 Tropical Cyclones

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect14 sect15 sect16

PS7 Due at Class Start

8th 20

Hydrologic Cycle IKey Topics

1 Global Water Budget2 Precipitation3 Evaporation and Transpiration

Readingbull Hartmann (2016) sect5

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 9 of 12

TUESDAY THURSDAY

13th 21

Midterm IIIn Class

15th 22

Hydrologic Cycle IIKey Topics

1 Cloud Nucleation2 Warm Cloud Microphysics3 Cold Cloud Microphysics

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect6 sect7

20th 23

Natural Intraseasonal and InterannualVariabilityKey Topics

1 Chaos Theory Internal Variability andForecasting

2 Coupled Variability3 Major Modes of Natural Variability

(NAOAO SAM MJO ENSO AMOC)Reading

bull Stull (2017) sect218bull Hartmann (2016) sect8

PS8 Due at Class Start

22nd

Thanksgiving

27th 24

Radiative Forcing Climate Sensitivity andFeedback MechanismsKey Topics

1 Radiative Forcing2 Climate Sensitivity3 Positive and Negative Feedbacks

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect214-219bull Hartmann (2016) sect9

29th 25

Natural Climate ChangeKey Topics

1 Solar Forcing2 Natural Aerosol Forcing3 Volcanic Forcing4 Orbital Forcing (Milankovitch Theory)5 Biogeochemical Forcing (Carbon Cycle)

Readingbull Stull (2017) sect212-213bull Hartmann (2016) sect12

PS9 Due at Class Start

Dec 4th 26

Anthropogenic Climate Change IKey Topics

1 Global Warming Potential2 Greenhouse Gases (CO2 CH4 N2O

Halocarbons Ozone)3 Aerosols4 Land-Use Change

Readingbull Hartmann (2016) sect131-1312

6th 27

Anthropogenic Climate Change IIKey Topics

1 Past Present and Future AnthropogenicForcing

2 Detection and Attribution3 Future Projections

Readingbull Hartmann (2016) sect1313-1317

PS10 Due at Class Start

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 10 of 12

TUESDAY THURSDAY

11th 28

Climate Science UR

13th

Reading PeriodTerm Paper Drafts Due Fri Dec 14 5 PM

18th

Exam PeriodFinal Exam Wed Dec 19 1230-330 PM

20th

Exam PeriodTerm Papers Due Fri Dec 21 5 PM

32 RECITATION

In addition to lectures there will be a 1-hr recitation session held each week in which the TA will goover example problems similar to the homework and exams and answer any questions from the classThe time and location will be determined via student availability

4 GRADING

Your final grade will be calculated with the following breakdown

EES 236Problem Sets 40

Midterm I 10 Midterm II 10 Final Exam 25

Quizzes 10 Participation 5

Total 100

EES 436Problem Sets 40

Midterm I 10 Midterm II 10

Term Paper 25 Quizzes 10

Participation 5 Total 100

41 EXAMS

All exams will be comprised of a multiple-choice section a short-answer section and a longer quanti-tative problem section

411 MIDTERMS

There will be two midterm exams administered in class

bull Midterm I will test qualitative content from Lectures 1-8 and quantitative questions from Lec-tures 1-5 (ie those seen in problem sets)

bull Midterm II will test qualitative content from Lectures 10-20 and quantitative questions from Lec-tures 6-18

412 EES 236 FINAL

There will be one comprehensive final exam for students enrolled in EES 236 The final will containcontent from throughout the course with a greater emphasis on the last third

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 11 of 12

42 QUIZZES

At the end of each class there will be a short quiz on the main concepts covered by the reading andorlecture Please bring calculators to class to use for in-class problems Unexcused absences will resultin a zero on that dayrsquos quiz Quizzes on days of an excused absence (see below) will have zero weight infinal quiz grade

43 EES 436 TERM PAPER

Students enrolled in EES 436 will be required to write a term paper in lieu of a final exam The papermust be 20 pages including figures and references with 10 pt font and 15 line spacing Paper topicswill be chosen by the student in consultation with Prof Murray to reflect their own research and in-terests but must be related to atmospheric physics and climate Students will be required to submit arough draft for feedback a week before the final deadline

The term paper must be written following the Style Guide and Reference Format of the AmericanGeophysical Union including proper in-line citations consistent with the university Academic Hon-esty policies

44 PARTICIPATION

The participation score will reflect the following activities

1 Attendance to class as reflected by quiz participation and attendance to recitation I must beinformed via e-mail of any absences ahead of time Illness or other educationalresearch experi-ences are examples of excusable absences

2 General participation eg by asking or answering questions during class andor by asking ques-tions during office hours

5 HOMEWORK POLICY

The aim of the problem sets is to help you learn the course concepts Working together with your class-mates is thus encouraged although problem sets should always be solved and written up individuallyIf you collaborate write who you worked with on your submission

Show all work explaining in sufficient detail how you arrived at the answer Describe the rational be-hind each step using language like ldquoConvert from kg to moleculesrdquo or ldquoApply the hypsometric equationto determine layer thicknessrdquo Partial credit for ultimately wrong answers will be assigned based onwork shown A correct answer with no work shown earns no credit A numerical answer withoutunits is incorrect

Problem sets are due at the beginning of class on the day indicated After that 10 is deducted off thepossible total score for each day late No credit is given after one week late

Students enrolled in EES 436 will have additional problems per homework assignment

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 11 of 12

42 QUIZZES

At the end of each class there will be a short quiz on the main concepts covered by the reading andorlecture Please bring calculators to class to use for in-class problems Unexcused absences will resultin a zero on that dayrsquos quiz Quizzes on days of an excused absence (see below) will have zero weight infinal quiz grade

43 EES 436 TERM PAPER

Students enrolled in EES 436 will be required to write a term paper in lieu of a final exam The papermust be 20 pages including figures and references with 10 pt font and 15 line spacing Paper topicswill be chosen by the student in consultation with Prof Murray to reflect their own research and in-terests but must be related to atmospheric physics and climate Students will be required to submit arough draft for feedback a week before the final deadline

The term paper must be written following the Style Guide and Reference Format of the AmericanGeophysical Union including proper in-line citations consistent with the university Academic Hon-esty policies

44 PARTICIPATION

The participation score will reflect the following activities

1 Attendance to class as reflected by quiz participation and attendance to recitation I must beinformed via e-mail of any absences ahead of time Illness or other educationalresearch experi-ences are examples of excusable absences

2 General participation eg by asking or answering questions during class andor by asking ques-tions during office hours

5 HOMEWORK POLICY

The aim of the problem sets is to help you learn the course concepts Working together with your class-mates is thus encouraged although problem sets should always be solved and written up individuallyIf you collaborate write who you worked with on your submission

Show all work explaining in sufficient detail how you arrived at the answer Describe the rational be-hind each step using language like ldquoConvert from kg to moleculesrdquo or ldquoApply the hypsometric equationto determine layer thicknessrdquo Partial credit for ultimately wrong answers will be assigned based onwork shown A correct answer with no work shown earns no credit A numerical answer withoutunits is incorrect

Problem sets are due at the beginning of class on the day indicated After that 10 is deducted off thepossible total score for each day late No credit is given after one week late

Students enrolled in EES 436 will have additional problems per homework assignment

EES 236436 Fall 2018 Physics of Climate pg 12 of 12

6 CLASSROOM POLICIES

61 DIVERSITY AND DISABILITIES

This classroom is an inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all students regardless of back-ground or ability consistent with both University policy and state and federal laws Students must re-spect the different experiences identities beliefs and values expressed by their peers and refrain fromderogatory comments about other individuals cultures groups or viewpoints Please let me know ifyou have any preferred nicknames pronouns etc that you would like me to use

I encourage you to meet with me about any concern or situation that affects your ability to completeyour academic work successfully Students requiring accommodations should contact one of the Ac-cess Coordinators at the Center for Excellence in Teaching amp Learning (office 1-154 Dewey Hall e-mailcetlrochesteredu phone x5-9049 internal 585-275-9049 external)

62 ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Cell phones must be silenced You may use a laptop or tablet to take notes Mobile devices and laptopsmay also be used for prepared active learning activities However they should not be used for anythingelse during class If a peer tells me your actions on your laptop are distracting during a lecture you willlose the privilege

7 ACADEMIC HONESTY

All assignments and activities associated with this course must be performed in accordance with theUniversity of Rochesterrsquos Academic Honesty Policy A comprehensive description of the University ofRochesterrsquos Academic Honesty Policy is available at httpwwwrochestereducollegehonestyFor this course all exams and reports need to be completed individually but I encourage collaborationon the problem sets

8 INITIAL MEETING

I would like to learn about your background and goals both for this course and for the future to helptailor the semester to those interests You are encouraged to schedule (via e-mail) a quick 5-minutemeeting early in the semester The meeting is entirely optional and will not impact your participationgrade

9 FEEDBACK

I want you to get the most out of this class Students are encouraged to offer feedback at any time aboutthe course and my instruction to me in person through e-mail to leemurrayrochesteredu or via ananonymous note placed in my departmental mailbox located in Hutchison Hall 227 At the end of thecourse I would greatly appreciate if you were to fill out the course review