Students
ENVS216 – The Atmospheric Environment
2016 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Kevin Cheung
AHH L2
Lecturer
Stuart Browning
AHH L2
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ENVE117(P) or ENVS117(P) or GEOS117(P) or GEOS112(P) or 3cp in PHYS units at 100 level
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to the major atmospheric, oceanic and other environmental processes that are responsible for our weather and climate. The unit builds on themes introduced in ENVS117 and GEOS112 with a focus on Australian region weather and climate. Severe weather events such as tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes are discussed, and each year an operational meteorologist will contribute to our teaching program. Besides the regular lectures, online training modules are available to enhance the understanding of lecture topics.
This unit is offered under the flipped classroom model, in which online training modules built within iLearn are available to let students obtain the background knowledge on the topics at their own pace. On-campus students participate in practicals and group discussions with instructors, while external students are able to complete the same practicals in online mode. Assessment tasks in the unit include regular assignments, project-based reports and formal examination. One of the tasks is to participate in an open weather forecast game created by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. While mathematical skills at HSC level are beneficial to completing some of the assessment tasks in the unit and will be introduced in the unit, conceptual understanding of weather and climate phenomena is emphasized.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Game | 10% | Week 13 |
| Horizontal Motion of Air | 15% | Week 5 |
| Atmospheric Stability | 15% | Week 7 |
| Weather Tipping Competition | 25% | Week 12 |
| Examination | 35% | TBA |
Reading Game
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%
The 'Reading Game' is a utility previously developed by our Learning and Teaching Centre that allows you to generate your own questions and answer those created by your peers. You will get more marks in the Game when your questions are popular and attract a lot of feedbacks. The aim of this Game is to let you think about the weather phenomena occurring around you and try to understand them through discussion with your peers.
Since there will be no participation of class discussion for externals, you are expected to spend more time on this Game and thus the weighting of this assessment has been increased to 10% (from 5%).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
Horizontal Motion of Air
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 15%
This assignment consists of numerical questions on the various types of horizontal motion of air or winds, and their responsible driving forces. Understanding of the governing equations and application of them in algebric calculations are expected.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
Atmospheric Stability
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 15%
This assignment consists of questions on the representation of moisture in the atmosphere and the concept of stability, which are the basis of cloud and precipitation development. Answers are in the form of numerical and graphical analysis, written explanation and supports from drawn diagrams.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
Weather Tipping Competition
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 25%
The Weather Tipping Competition (http://tipping.amos.org.au/dist/pages/index.php#static/home) is a game open to the public organised by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS). The game will start from early April and last for about 10 weeks (or rounds). Students are asked to participate in this game, but instead of just submitting your forecast (of temperatures and rainfall) you are requested to document your reasonings behind the forecasts based on the concepts learnt from this unit. A case study on a weather system using meteorological analysis techniques is also required in this report. A more detailed description of this assessment will be released.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Examination
Due: TBA
Weighting: 35%
Exam date, structure, etc., will be available later in the semester. The exam is run through the formal university examination process. The exam structure may take the form of numerical, short answer and/or essay questions. You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in draft form approximately 8 weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in final form approximately 4 weeks before the commencement of the examinations. (http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam) The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester; that is the final day of the official examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Delivery and Resources
This unit will be conducted using the 'Flipped Classroom' model, which will provide external students almost the same learning experience as for the internals. That is, instead of running the regular lectures, students will learn the background knowledge and fundamental principles at your own times based on the assigned textbook and the accompanied electronic supplementary materials. Online modules developed by the convenor will also be provided, especially in the context of discussing weather systems specific to the Australian region. These online modules are in the form of sequences in the Learning Activities Management System (LAMS), which have been builted into iLearn. External online resources developed by other educational institutes and publishers will also be utilised, and if login information are necessary other than iLearn they will be delivered to you by the convenor.
Besides the times you spend on learning from the textbook and online materials, you are to finish the assessment tasks set for the unit, which consist of participation in the Reading Game (see Learning and Teaching Activities), two short regular assignments and a research report based on your experience of participating in the Weather Tipping Competition organised by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS). Under this 'Flipped Classroom' model, the convenor and other instructors of this unit will be your consultants to help you learn from the online resources and work out the assessment tasks. You are able to receive feedbacks from the instructors in a number of ways: through feedbacks of your questions in the Reading Game, discussion forum and private dialogue within iLearn, emailing the instructors or book a consultation time with them.
Because there will be no recorded lectures for this year, we do not have to access the Echo360 system. A computer with internet access, web browser, Microsoft Office or equivalent word processing tool and software to read 'pdf' documents is necessary to access the online teaching modules and completing the assessment tasks.
Seven practical sessions have been scheduled for you to work on exercises that enhance your understanding of the theories developed in the textbook (see Unit Schedule in the following). External students are able to access the same practical documents as for the internals through iLearn, and complete the tasks using your own computer. It is essential for you to work on these practicals in the same weeks as for the internals in order to catch up with the overall progress. The several written assignments are closely related to these practicals, thus after these practical sessions completing the assignments should be straight forward.
The textbook we use is Aguado, E., and J. E. Burt, 2015: Understanding Weather and Climate (7th global edition, ISBN 978-0-321-98730-3), Pearson, 596 pp. It is essential for you to obtain a copy of this textbook together with an access card to the Pearson MyLab and Mastering online system (http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/au/). They will be sold as a package in the Co-op Bookstore. We will make use of materials from the MasteringMeteorology website to enhance your understanding the textbook, and there are also quiz questions for you to self test your progress. If you find difficulties in purchasing the textbook or have questions about the version you need, please consult the convenor. When we discuss weather systems and climate specific to the Australian region, the useful reference book is Sturman, A., and N. J. Tapper, 2006: The Weather and Climate of Australia and New Zealand (2nd edition), Oxford University Press, 541 pp, which is accessible from the University Library.
Unit Schedule
Based on our 'Flipped Classroom' teaching model, there will be no regular lectures. The textbook, online modules and asessment tasks will cover the following topics, which are based on the chapters in Aguado and Burt (2015):
Introduction and Course Overview (29 February, this will be recorded in Echo360)
Energy and Mass
Chapter 1: Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere
Chapter 2: Solar Radiation and the Seasons
Chapter 3: Energy Balance and Temperature
Chapter 4 Atmospheric Pressure and Wind
Water in the Atmosphere
Chapter 5: Atmospheric Moisture
Chapter 6: Cloud Development and Forms
Chapter 7: Precipitation Processes
Distribution and Movement of Air
Chapter 8: Atmospheric Circulation and Pressure Distributions (including climate variability such as the El Nino Southern Oscillation)
Chapter 9: Air Masses and Fronts
Disturbances
Chapter 10: Midlatitude Cyclones
Chapter 11: Lightning, Thunder and Tornadoes
Chapter 12 Tropical Storms
Weather Forecasting
Chapter 13: Weather Forecasting
Of course, we do not need to fulfill every learning outcome from each of these chapters. Specific learning outcomes for each chapter will be listed on iLearn such that you can follow when reading the textbook. Moreover, whenever there are relevant online tutorials and animations in the MasterMeteorology website to enhance your understanding on these topics, they will be listed on iLearn.
Seven practical sessions have been scheduled on the following topics:
Week 2: Energy Balance The internal students will visit the Macquarie University Automated Weather Station (aws.mq.edu.au), which is located next to the univeristy sports field to examine the standard measuring equipments in a weather station. We will provide the measurement data to the externals for calculating the surface energy balance. Otherwise, data can be downloaded from the AWS website for completing this practical.
Week 4: Atmospheric Motion. We will learn about the forces governing the wind direction and speed, starting from the large-scale situation, based on simple equations.
Week 5: Atmospheric Moisture. We will learn about various measures of moisture content in air and how to do conversion between them through calculations and graphical methods.
Week 6: Saturation and Atmospheric Stability. We will learn how saturation of water affects the atmospheric stability, which is the concept behind cloud development and precipitation. A chart used by meteorologists will be used to determine such stability.
Week 7 (after semester break): Weather Map Analysis. We will learn how weather conditions are recorded on various types of weather maps, and their implications to the development of interesting weather systems.
Week 8: Weather Forecasting. To facilitate your participation to the AMOS Weather Tipping Competitation, we will perform an exercise forecast session and discuss the techniques weather forecasters applied to predict the weather.
Week 10: Severe Weather Systems. We will learn about the data based on which the behaviour of severe weather systems, such as east coast low, fronts and midlatitude cyclones, tropical cyclones, thunderstorms and hails, can be analysed. We will also learn about the rules behind the strong winds of some of these systems.
Learning and Teaching Activities
Student Workload
Participation in the Reading Game
Participation in the Weather Tipping Competition
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment tasks
- Reading Game
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment tasks
- Reading Game
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment tasks
- Reading Game
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment tasks
- Reading Game
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the fundemantal principles on which meteorology and climatology are based
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment tasks
- Reading Game
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Recognise and appropriately utilise basic equations which govern weather and climate
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Analyse and evaluate categorical and numerical data (e.g., interpreting environmental data)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment tasks
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Acquire field skills to collect data by measurement or observation (e.g., familiarity with the use of basic meteorological instruments)
- Conceptualise and apply simple models related to weather and climate processes
Assessment tasks
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Apply basic concepts and equations to practical (real world) problems
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
Assessment tasks
- Reading Game
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the important meteorological and oceanic processes which shape weather and climate
- Recall and appropriately utilise meteorological and climatological terminology
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the fields of meteorology, oceanography and climatology
Assessment tasks
- Reading Game
- Horizontal Motion of Air
- Atmospheric Stability
- Weather Tipping Competition
- Examination