701-0471-AAL Atmospheric Chemistry

Semester	Autumn Semester 2024
Lecturers	M. Ammann, C. Heald, C. Mohr
Periodicity	every semester recurring course
Language of instruction	English
Comment	Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.

Courses

Number	Title	Hours		Lecturers
701-0471-AA R	Atmospheric Chemistry Self-study course. No presence required. Please contact Prof. Markus Ammann for further information.	90s hrs		M. Ammann, C. Heald, C. Mohr

Catalogue data

Abstract

This is a self-study course targeted at Master students who did not follow the bachelor course "atmospheric chemistry" or equivalent, providing a general introduction into atmospheric chemistry. It introduces the relevant fundamental concepts, which are explored in the context of key environmental issues, such as air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and connections to climate change.

Learning objective

At the end of this course, students are able to:
1. describe the structure of the atmosphere and list atmospheric components and their main properties
2. define and describe the chemical and physical processes in the stratosphere and troposphere, follow reaction mechanisms, and apply rate laws
3. describe the physical and chemical principles of air pollution and summarize the most important legislative measures
4. discuss the local, regional, and global aspects of interactions between air quality, ecosystem health, and climate

Content

- Origin and properties of the atmosphere: composition (gases and aerosols), atmospheric structure, UV radiation, transport timescales
- Kinetics of gas phase reactions: rate laws, mechanisms of bimolecular and termolecular reactions.
- Stratospheric chemistry: Chapman cycle, catalytic ozone destruction cycles, polar ozone hole, Montreal protocol
- Tropospheric chemistry: oxidizing capacity of the troposphere and the role of OH, oxidation and global budgets of CO and CH4, role of NOx, and the global tropospheric O3 budget
- Surface ozone chemistry: HOx-NOx cycle, role of VOCs, O3 isopleth, ozone production efficiency
- Aerosols: primary and secondary sources, composition, quantities and measures, connections to climate
- Multiphase chemistry: solubility of gases, Raoult’s Law and hygroscopicity, kinetics of gas to particle transfer, N2O5 chemistry, aqueous phase sulfur chemistry, secondary organic aerosol formation
- Air quality: role of planetary boundary layer, deposition processes, summer- versus winter-smog, environmental problems, legislation, long-term trends
- Global aspects: air quality - climate interactions

Lecture notes

The slides, notes and exercises of the preceding edition of the bachelor course 701-0471-01L Atmospheric Chemistry will be provided.

Prerequisites / Notice

Basic courses in chemistry and physics are expected

Competencies

Subject-specific Competencies	Concepts and Theories	assessed
	Techniques and Technologies	fostered
Method-specific Competencies	Analytical Competencies	assessed
	Problem-solving	assessed
Personal Competencies	Adaptability and Flexibility	fostered
	Creative Thinking	assessed
	Integrity and Work Ethics	fostered

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits	3 credits
Examiners	M. Ammann, C. Heald, C. Mohr
Type	graded semester performance
Language of examination	English
Repetition	Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examination	The following two requirements hold for this self-study course: (a) 20 minute oral exam on the content of the lecture Atmospheric Chemistry (701-0471-01 G) (b) 8-10 page scientific essay The scientific essay contributes 1/3 and the exam 2/3 to the final grade

Learning materials


Main link	Information
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

There are no additional restrictions for the registration.

Offered in

Programme	Section	Type
Atmospheric and Climate Science Master	Course Units for Additional Admission Requirements	E-