Preparation for our master's courses

Maths

• Algebra: manipulation of fractions, equations and powers
• Logarithms and exponentials
• Angles: trigonometric functions
• Spherical geometry: radius, circumference, arclength
• Forces and velocity and acceleration (section 2)
• Force diagrams
• Gradients: definition and discrete estimates
• Tangent and normal (perpendicular) vectors
• Derivatives and integrals
• Differentiation (including the product and quotient rules and chain rule) and integration
• Partial differentiation.

Physics

• Basic thermal physics: Boyle's law , the ideal gas law, diffusion and heat transfer – conduction, convection and radiation
• Basic mechanics: Newton's laws of motion, kinetic energy and potential energy
• Technical problem solving: significant figures, estimation, orders of magnitude
• Problem solving skills: know how to translate a physical situation into a solvable problem. Have a look at these 10 steps and this video
• Linear approximations using Taylor series.

Maths

• Vector calculus: gradient, divergence and curl, Green's theorem, Stokes' theorem, divergence theorem and surface integrals
• Simple harmonic motion
• Taylor expansions
• Differentiation: separation of variables.

Maths worksheet

This maths worksheet covers some extra topics, such as complex numbers, and will need to be handed in near the beginning of the first semester. It contains revision notes and exercises to be attempted so lecturers know where more help will be needed. It is available now so you can have a look at it before starting the course.

Physics

• Inertial and non-inertial frames of reference
• First law of thermodynamics
• Second law of thermodynamics and entropy.

Computing

Using computers to simulate weather and climate is a vital part of the study of meteorology. Many students have little or no experience of computer programming before starting the MSc course. The following links provide an introduction to using python, a programming language:

• Codecademy starts you off with python and can be done in a web browser (no need to install software).
• Hour of Code: a similar tutorial, aimed at school children, but still a useful introduction.

Maths

• Matrix maths

Meteorology

The following books are suggested reading that will give you a good background before starting the MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate and MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management courses.

• Understand the Weather, Peter Inness (Hodder Headline, 2010) , especially Chapter 8.
• Meteorological Measurements and Instrumentation, Giles Harrison (Wiley-Blackwell).

There is no requirement to buy any books before starting the course, and any required reading will be available in the Department library for use during the course. However, if you wish to get hold of them from a library, the above books will put you in a good position for beginning the course.

Computing

No previous computer programming knowledge is expected or required for students on the MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate or MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management courses.

However, some parts of the course will involve computing, so you may wish to have a look at the following links which provide an introduction to programming in python to give yourself a head start:

• Codecademy starts you off with python and can be done in a web browser (no need to install any software).
• Hour of Code: a similar tutorial, aimed at school children, but still a useful introduction.