MT2ACT-Atmospheric Chemistry and Transport

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: A-level chemistry or equivalent
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Bill Collins
Email: w.collins@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module builds on the first year Global Environmental Chemistry developing the concepts of chemical and physical processing of atmospheric pollutants and their transport in the atmosphere from local to global scales.

Aims:

To help the student attain an understanding of the processing and transport of gaseous and aerosol pollutants, and the consequences for their distributions on local and global scales. The processes discussed include photochemistry, anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, wet and dry deposition. The transport mechanisms include micro-scale, meso-scale, synoptic-scale and global-scale processes.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, the student should be able to:

• Explain the chemical and physical processing of atmospheric pollutants;

• Utilise rate equations to determine how composition changes;

• Demonstrate understanding of the transport mechanisms affecting the distribution of chemicals and aerosols in the atmosphere;

• Describe how clouds interact with chemicals and aerosols.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

• Transport mechanisms: from local to global scales within the boundary layer, free troposphere and stratosphere;

• Emissions, deposition and mixing of chemicals and aerosols;

• Chemistry of the troposphere;

• Stratospheric ozone depletion;

• Anthropogenic and biogenic emissions;

• Chemistry in clouds.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The course material will be taught based on two lectures per week. A number of problem sheets, with opportunity for discussion during classes, will help students to test their understanding of the course material and prepare them for the final exam.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:		80
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	30
Class test administered by School	70

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The class test will be 2 hours and will be held in the first 2 weeks of the summer term.

In addition to the class test, there will be two assessed problem sheets.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Resit exam the following summer.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 30 March 2023