Catalog: Courses for Graduate Students

Other Courses Taught by AOS Faculty

AOS 508: Teacher Workshop (1-2 credits) This workshop is designed to address the professional development needs for K-12 science teachers. See Fall 2007 Syllabus

AOS 509: Distance Learning courses in Earth System Science - Web (1-3 credits) These courses are designed to address the professional development needs for K-12 science teachers in the earth and space sciences. Topics will be designed to meet the Wisconsin State Science standards and be presented by science and education experts. Prereq: Cons. inst. See Summer 2008 syllabus.

AOS 520: Bioclimatology (3 credits) (Same as Env. St. 520)
Application of climatological and meteorological principles to problems in biology; ecological approach stressed. Prereq: Jr. st and one course in either basic biology or basic meteorology. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 522: Tropical Meteorology (3 credits) Characteristics of the tropical atmosphere; local and diurnal phenomena; tropical synoptic systems; circulation and energetics; mechanisms of tropical climate variations. P: Atm Ocn 311, 340. See Spring 2006 syllabus.

AOS 528: Past Climates and Climatic Change (2 credits) (Also Geog., Env. St. 528) Climatic change throughout geologic time, especially the last 10 millennia; mechanics of change, evidence, and criteria, paleography and paleoclimatology, climate models. Prereq: Jr. st or one year calculus-based college physics or introduction to weather and climate; or cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 531: Global Climates (3 credits) (Also Geography 531)
Special topics in climatology; a descriptive and explanatory analysis of the climatic characteristics of each continent, with emphasis on deviations from the world pattern. Prereq: Geog 321 or equiv or con st.

AOS 532: Environmental Biophysics (3 credits) (Also Soil Sci. 532) Plant-environment interactions with particular reference to energy exchanges and water relations. Models are used to provide a quantitative synthesis of information from plant physiology, soil physics, and micrometeorology with some consideration of plant-pest interactions. Prereq: Intro calculus, Physics 103, Botany 130 and computer programming, or cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 535: Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Pollution (3 credits)
Physical principles of atmospheric transport processes. Variation of transport in time and place. Local and regional concentrations of pollutants. Environmental implications of air pollution and control strategies. Prereq: Math 212, Physics 202, or cons. inst. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 559: Weekly Weather Watch (1 credit) Weekly discussion and diagnoses of the recent and current weather as well as forecast of the future weather. Topics in large and synoptic-scale dynamics, thermodynamics, and air-sea interaction are discussed depending on the phenomena of interest. Prereq: Either ATM OCN 310, 330, 311, and 340 (as a sequence), or ATM OCN 610 and 630 as a sequence.

AOS 575: Climatological Analysis (3 credits) Mathematical and statistical tools applicable to the investigation of meteorological problems: nature and treatment of meteorological data. Prereq: ATM OCN 311 and 340, or cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 601: Challenging Problems of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (2-3 credits) Individual staff members weave detailed subjects into the general fabric of the physical environment. Prereq: cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 610: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I (3 credits) Basic dynamic concepts: equations of motion, basic approximations, Coriolis force, wave motions, normal modes, gravity waves, frictional, turbulence and convective processes, geostrophic adjustments, scaling argument, effects of rotation on wave motions. Vorticity and potential vorticity. Prereq: Physics 208, Math 234 and cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 611: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics II (3 credits)
Quasi-geostrophic motion, potential vorticity equations, E-P fluxes, Rossby waves, boundary layer processes, wind- driven ocean circulation and western boundary currents, barotropic and baroclinic instability, tropical flows. Prereq: ATM OCN 610 or cons. inst. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 623: Electronic Aids to Measurement (4 credits) (Also Physics 623). Fundamentals of electronics, electronic elements, basic circuits; combinations of these into measuring instruments. Three lectures and one three hour lab per week. Prereq: Physics 321 or cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 630: Introduction to Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics (3 credits) Graduate level core course covering thermodynamics theory of multiphase systems, thermodynamic analysis of atmosphere, microphysical processes in the atmosphere, atmospheric and oceanic chemical processes, conduction of heat and moisture into the atmosphere from ocean and land surface. Prereq: Physics 208, Math 234 cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 637: Cloud Physics (3-4 credits) Processes of cloud formation, growth, and dissipation from the standpoint of both the cloud particles and the whole cloud as a dynamic entity. Prereq: ATM OCN 311 and 340, or cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 638: Atmospheric Chemistry (3 credits) Evolution of the atmosphere, chemical structure, instrumental analysis, trace gases, aerosol mechanics, chemical processes. Prereq: One year calculus-based college physics, chemistry, and calculus for science majors, or cons. inst. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 640: Radiation in the Atmosphere and Ocean (3 credits)
Graduate level core course in radiation. Introduction to basic laws, radiative transfer under clear sky conditions, scattering by individual particles, multiple scattering, radiative properties of clouds and aerosols, energy budget, miscellaneous applications. Prereq: Physics 208, Math 234 and cons. inst. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 650: Analysis of Atmospheric Systems (3 credits)
Graduate level core lab and lecture course designed to quantitatively analyze, descriptively define and physically interpret atmospheric structures, climate and flow systems depicted by observations on scales ranging from the global circulation to those of turbulence in the planetary boundary layer. Observation and analysis strategies. Prereq: ATM OCN 610, 630, or cons. inst. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 651: Synoptic-Dynamic Laboratory (3 credits)
Quantitative lab applications of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics to synoptic systems. Jet stream systems, cyclone development, global air motions, performance of numerical prediction models, local surface forecasting. Prereq: ATM OCN 610 and 630 and cons. inst. or ATM OCN 650. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 660: Introduction to Physical Oceanography (3 credits)
Physical properties of sea water: ocean climatology, water, salt and heat budget, measurement, ocean circulation and water mass of the world ocean, thermocline, thermohaline, equatorial and southern ocean. Prereq: Physics 208, Math 234 and cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 681: Senior Honors Thesis (3 credits)
Prereq: Cons. inst.

AOS 682: Senior Honors Thesis (3 credits)
Prereq: Cons. inst.

AOS 691: Senior Thesis (2-3 credits)
Prereq: A) Atm Ocn major; B) Atm Ocn 311, 340 or con reg; C) approval Assoc. Chairman of Undergrad Affairs. Cons. inst.

AOS 692: Senior Thesis (2-3 credits)
Prereq: A) Atm Ocn major; B) Atm Ocn 311, 340 or con reg; C) approval Assoc. Chairman of Undergrad Affairs. Cons. inst.

AOS 698: Advanced Independent Reading (1-5 credits)
Prereq: Jr. or Sr. st.; requires cons. inst.

AOS 699: Advanced Independent Reading (1-5 credits)
Prereq: Jr. or Sr. st. Graded on a lettered basis; requires cons. inst.

AOS 705: Middle Atmosphere (3 credits) Dynamics, chemistry and radiation of the stratosphere and mesosphere. Structure and composition. Observing techniques. Gravity, Rossby, and Kelvin waves. Wave-mean flow interaction. Instabilities. Tracer transport. Modeling the middle atmosphere. Ozone layer. Greenhouse effect. Prereq: ATM OCN 610, 630 or equivalent. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 712: General Circulation of the Atmosphere (3 credits)
The theory of the general circulation with emphasis on the sources, sinks, and transports of mass, angular momentum, and energy that serve to maintain the circumpolar vortex. Prereq: ATM OCN 610, 630 or equivalent. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 718: Dynamics of Moist Convective Systems (3 credits)
Governing equations for non-hydrostatic dynamics, mixed phase thermodynamics and microphysics. Cumulus parameterization and scale interactions. Application to theoretical and numerical models of thunderstorms (and attendant weather phenomena) and Mesoscale Convective Systems in the extra tropics and tropics. Prereq: ATM OCN 610, 630. See Fall 2006 sylabus.

AOS 720: Glaciology (3 credits) (Also Geology 720) Physical properties of snow and ice; mass and energy balance and structure of glaciers and ice sheets; glacier dynamics; applications of geophysics and geochemistry; glacial hydrology. Prereq: Physics 208, Math 223.

AOS 740: Advanced Atmospheric Radiation (3 credits) The course deals with advanced topics in radiative transfer. These include numerical methods to solve the radiative transfer equation, theory of scattering by spherical and non-spherical particles and advanced topics in gas absorption. Prereq: ATM OCN 640. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 745: Meteorological Satellite Applications (2-3 credits)
Use of satellite imagery and measurements in meteorological research and operations: orbital characteristics, navigation, instrumentation, remote sensing techniques. Prereq: ATM OCN 640 or one year calculus-based college physics or Math 234. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 750: Problems in Oceanography (3 credits) (Also Env. St., Geol. and Zoology). Introduction to techniques used in the study of the biology, chemistry, geology, and physics of the marine environment. Prereq: one course in oceanography or cons. inst. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 760: Large-Scale Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling (3 credits)
Various aspects of global ocean-atmosphere coupling and climate variability; global surface flux distribution; mixed layer dynamics; tropical dynamics and El Nino and Southern Oscillation; extratropical ocean-atmosphere coupling; interannual to interdecadel climate variability. Prereq: ATM OCN 611, 660, or cons. inst. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 761: Dynamics of Ocean Circulation (3-4 credits) Theories of general oceanic circulation: Sverdrup flow, western boundary layer; thermocline circulation, recirculation theory, ventilated thermocline theory, thermohaline circulation, abyssal flow, thermohaline instability and multiple equilibria. Prereq: ATM OCN 610, 660. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 771: Numerical Modeling in Meteorology(3 credits) Techniques for development of meteorological numerical models. Survey of existing models for general circulation, operational weather prediction, mesoscale, convection and turbulence with emphasis on numerical methods and solution accuracy. Prereq: ATM OCN 610, 630 or cons. inst. See Fall 2006 Syllabus.

AOS 773: Boundary Layer Meteorology (3 credits)
Observations of and theories for boundary layers, turbulence, spectra, plumes, dust devils, convection, terrain effects, and other phenomena in the lowest 2 km of the atmosphere. Prereq: ATM OCN 311, 340, or 610, 630. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 801: Topics in Theoretical Meteorology (2-3 credits)
Advanced level subjects in dynamics, synoptics, climate-dynamics and atmospheric physics including recent advances. Prereq: Grad level general meteorology and cons. inst. Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 900: Seminar - Meteorology (1-2 credits)
Prereq: Grad St. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 911: Seminar - Oceanography and Limnology (1 credit)
(Also Civ. Engr., Bact., Botany, Env. St., Geology, and Zoology 911). Prereq: Grad St. in oceanography & limnology or cons. inst. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 915: Seminar - Dynamics (1-2 credits)
Prereq: Grad St. See Spring 2007 syllabus.

AOS 925: Seminar - Climatology (1-2 credits)(Same as Env. St. 925) Historical climatology with emphasis on the last few centuries. Prereq: Grad St. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 935: Seminar - Physical Meteorology (1-2 credits) Topics in physical meteorology are explored at an advanced graduate level, including severe storms, cloud physics and atmospheric chemistry, depending on instructor Prereq: Grad St. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 945: Seminar - Radiation and Remote Sensing Seminar (1-2 credits) Topics in radiation and remote sensing of the atmosphere and ocean. Emphasis will be on current and classical problems in radiative transfer and remote sensing. Prereq: Grad St. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 955: Seminar - Weather Systems (1-2 credits) Topics in weather systems are explored at an advanced graduate level, including problems in synoptics, mesoscale, and micrometeorological weather phenomena, depending on instructor. Prereq: Grad St.

AOS 965: Seminar - Oceanography (1-2 credits) Prereq: Grad St. See Fall 2006 syllabus.

AOS 975: Seminar - Numerical Modeling/Data Assimilation (1-2 credits) Topics in numerical modeling and data assimilation are explored at an advanced graduate level. Prereq: Grad St.

AOS 980: Seminar - Earth-System Science (1 credit) (Also Botany, Env. St., Forest, Geol., Geog., and Zoology). Topics in earth system science. Emphasis on the coupling between atmospheric, oceanic and land surface systems, involving physical geochemical and biological processes, and including interactions with human systems. Prereq: Grad St. See Spring 2006 syllabus.

AOS 990: Research (1-12 credits) Prereq: Grad St.

AOS 999: Advanced Independent Study (1-6 credits)
Prereq: Grad St. and cons. inst.