MTMFMM: Fundamentals of Meteorology and Meteorological Measurements

Module code: MTMFMM

Module provider: Meteorology; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Tom Frame, email: t.h.a.frame@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE MTMFWC (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will develop knowledge and understanding of:

• Dynamic meteorology
• The atmospheric boundary layer
• Theoretical and practical issues related to meteorological measurements

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe and critically compare the characteristics of various standard meteorological instruments used to measure surface-layer, boundary layer and upper-air atmospheric variables and how these are utilised in an operational setting, including knowledge of calibration and observational errors.
2. Understand the meaning and significance of various dynamical meteorological concepts, be able to apply them to real weather situations, and relate them to the structure and evolution of selected weather systems.
3. Understand and describe fundamental turbulent processes in the atmospheric boundary layer and how these relate to the diurnal cycle and the current weather conditions.
4. Report critically on the results of observational work, measurements and the use of computer models in an appropriate, formal style.

Module content

• Theory and practice of observational data analysis 
• Fundamentals of instrumentation 
• Measurement techniques for air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, pressure, rainfall, solar and terrestrial radiation and upper air sounding. 
• Broad characteristics of operational observational networks. 
• Basic dynamical concepts: geostrophic wind on constant-level and isobaric surfaces, the thermal wind, the gradient wind, vorticity and divergence 
• Relation of these concepts to the structure and evolution of weather systems 
• Structure of the atmospheric boundary layer and micrometeorology of the surface layer 
• Fundamentals of turbulence: Reynolds stresses, the logarithmic wind profile, Monin-Obukhov similarity theory and K theory, surface energy balance controls 
• Diurnal variation of the atmospheric boundary layer: neutral, convective, nocturnal and cloudy boundary layers 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, tutorials, practical classes, experiments performed in groups. 

Study hours

At least 49 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative practical labs, self assessment quizzes and observational case studies. 

Reassessment

Additional costs