Math 396 CL Introduction to Mathematical Climate Science

Global climate change is one of the most serious problems facing humanity.  Climate science is a rapidly expanding, interdisciplinary field, with increasing participlation by mathematicians (see for example, Mathematics of Planet Earth, 2013).  This course will introduce students to applications of vector calculus and differential equations to the study of global climate. Fundamental equations governing atmospheric dynamics will be derived and solved for a variety of situations. Topics include: thermodynamics of the atmosphere, potential temperature, parcel concepts, hydrostatic balance, dynamics of air motion and wind flows, energy balance, an introduction to radiative transfer, and elementary mathematical climate models.
Class Meetings	Tuesday & Thursdays, 11:00 to 12:15 p.m., Chaparral Hall 5117
Prerequisites	Math 250 and Math 280 (or Math 351), or Permission of the Instructors
Grading	There will be two midterm exams, each worth 20%, and a final exam worth 40% of the grade.  Quizzes and homework together will constitute 20% of the grade.  Plus grades  (+) and minus grades (–) will be assigned for this course.  The date of the midterms will be announced in class.  5 bonus points may be earned for e ach Climate Seminar presentation attended. Final Exam: Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 10:15 to 12:15 a.m.
Textbook	Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey, Second edition Authors: Wallace and Hobbs
Instructor Information	David Klein Santa Susana Hall, Room 127 Phone: (818) 677-7792 email: david.klein@csun.edu, web page: www.csun.edu/~vcmth00m Office Hours: MW 10:30 to 11:30 & by Appointment Cristina Cadavid Eucalyptus Hall, Room 2105 Phone: (818) 677- 2171 email: ana.cadavid@csun.edu Office Hours: 12:15 to 1:15, TTh & by Appointment
Additional References	Elementary Climate Physics, by F.W. Taylor Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics, by M.L. Salby An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation Dynamics, by K.N. Liou An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics, by D. G. Andrews
Online Resources	Climate Overview: Powerpoint from first class meeting Curtis Lab Research: Optical and Chemical properties of atmospheric aerosols (powerpoint) CSUN Climate Science Program: www.csun.edu/climate Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Real Climate The Discovery of Global Warming, by Spencer Weart, director of the Center for History of Physics at the American Institute of Physics. http://www.aip.org/history/climate/index.htm
Radiation sites	GISS Surface Temperature Analysis, NASA Global Maps for Net Radiation, NASA
Dynamics sites	Laboratory Demonstrations of Planetary-Style Fluid Dynamics, from Spin-Lab at UCLA Perpetual Ocean: NASA simulation of worldwide ocean currents
Exams and Homework Assignments	Assignment 1, Due Sept 18, Chapter 3 problems: 3.19, 3.20, 3.26, 3.32, 3.33 (part a only), 3.36 Solutions to Assignment 1 Assignment 2, Due Sept 27, Chapter 3 problems: 3.22, 3.37 (only the analytic part, not the charts), 3.41. 3.42, 3.58, 3.64 Solutions to Assignment 2 Exam 1 Oct. 2 covers Chapter 3. Assignment 3, Due Oct. 16, Chapter 4 problems: 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.24, 4.43, 4.46 (hint: use Eqs. 4.32, 3.17, and the scale height is H in Eq. 3.25), 4.51 Assignment 4, Due Nov. 20, Chapter 7 problems: 7.8, 7.18, 7.23, 7.24, and do extra problems (more to come, so check back...) Exam 2 Nov. 29 covers Chapter 4 and parts of Chap 7 Final Exam: Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 10:15 to 12:15 a.m.
Climate Fellowship Opportunities	CSUN Climate Science Program's JPL Summer Fellowships

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