Surface Energy Exchange

Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
In this module students will learn how the atmospheric boundary layer responds to surface fluxes. The fundamentals of turbulence and micrometeorology of the surface layer are also introduced.

Aims:
This module aims to illustrate the theory of surface energy exchange processes by means of practical work carried out under field conditions.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the student should be able to:
Demonstrate a physical understanding of energy exchange processes in the surface layer and perform relevant calculations
Interpret experimental measurements of radiation, momentum and heat energy exchange in the surface layer
Appreciate the limitations of measurement systems used under field conditions, and be able to perform error calculations

Additional outcomes:
The students will enhance their skills in the use of instruments, team-working, use of spreadsheets for scientific calculations, and scientific report writing.

Outline content:
Lecture/Workshop content revises some of the theoretical background introduced in MT11D and introduces new theory relating to the description and measurement of turbulent exchange processes in the atmospheric surface layer.
The practical content covers: measurement of the surface radiation budget, measurement of the turbulent momentum and heat transfer by the eddy covariance method, and measurement of surface fluxes by the profile method.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and field experiments with an element of teamwork.

Contact hours:
Lectures- 10
Demonstration- 1
Practicals classes and workshops- 79
Total hours by term- 100
Total hours for module- 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Report- 90%
Practicals skills assessment- 10%

Other information on summative assessment:
30% from Report (to be submitted in the first week of summer term), 60% from a Final Report (to be submitted in the first week of summer term), 10% from a Field Notebook (5% per experiment) to be submitted in the first week of summer term.
Formative assessment methods:

Length of examination:
None

Requirements for a pass:
40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Examination