ATMOSPHERIC CHEMICAL MECHANISMS
Focuses on the chemical mechanisms and kinetics of reactive gases and aerosol in Earth's atmosphere. Fundamental concepts from analytical, physical, and organic chemistry will be used as tools to describe atmospheric processes occurring in both the troposphere and the stratosphere. Specific topics include: Evolution and chemical composition of Earth's atmosphere; applications of the steady-state approximation; residence and renewal time; sources, transformation, transport and deposition of trace gases in the troposphere; air pollution control strategies; stratospheric chemistry.
Topics
- Evolution and chemical composition of Earth's atmosphere
- applications of the steady-state approximation
- residence and renewal time
- sources
- transformation
- transport and deposition of trace gases in the troposphere
- air pollution control strategies
- stratospheric chemistry
Topics explicitly listed in official catalogue description
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: CBE 310 or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 561 or 565; or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness Breadth - Physical Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. Develop a deep chemical intuition for atmospheric chemical mechanisms and processes operating over wide ranges of time and length scales. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Construct photochemical box models of atmospheric processes (e.g., smog formation) to determine the response of criteria air pollutants to changes in atmospheric emissions. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Articulate and synthesize complex chemical knowledge and understanding in both written and oral formats. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Develop a deep chemical intuition for atmospheric chemical mechanisms and processes operating over wide ranges of time and length scales. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Construct photochemical box models of atmospheric processes (e.g., smog formation) to determine the response of criteria air pollutants to changes in atmospheric emissions. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Articulate and synthesize complex chemical knowledge and understanding in both written and oral formats. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027