16:375:540 ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
Spring 2009
Instructor: Lisa A Rodenburg (rodenburg@envsci.rutgers.edu)
Time: Tu/Th 2:15-3:35 Room ENR 223
Required Text: Chemistry of the Upper and Lower Atmosphere (QC879.6 .F57 2000) by Finlayson-Pitts and Pitts
PLEASE NOTE, THE PREREQUISITE (11:375:421) WILL BE ROUTINELY WAIVED. A NUMBER OF PRE-SIGNED WAIVER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT JOHN REINFELDER'S OFFICE DOOR (JUST BELOW THE NAME PLATE)
This graduate level course in Atmospheric Chemistry will focus on the chemistry of the troposphere, with some discussion of the stratosphere. Students will gain an understanding of the photochemistry of natural as well as anthropogenic species. We will discuss the impact of human activities on the chemistry of the troposphere and stratosphere and will breifly discuss global warming. The required text will be Chemistry of the Upper and Lower Atmosphere (QC879.6 .F57 2000) by Finlayson-Pitts and Pitts. The course will be taught in discussion format (little or no lecture) so reading the assigned chapters in the text before each class period will be vital. The course will also emphasize problem solving.
Once you have registered for the course, you should have automatic access to the sakai site for this course.
If you have any trouble logging on, please email me.
Grading: Each Tuesday, every student must hand in a hand-written summary of that week's chapter.
Students will work in small study groups to complete the homework.
There will be one Midterm and one Final Exam.
There will be one 15-page term paper on a topic of the student's choosing.
Course grade:
Summaries: 10%
Homework: 20%
Midterm Exam: 25%
Final Exam: 25%
Term Paper: 20%
Tentative Schedule:
| Tuesday | Thursday | ||
| 1/20 | Introduction, Chapter 1 | 1/22 | Chapter 2 |
| 1/27 | Ch 3 | 1/29 | Ch 3 |
| 2/3 | Ch 4 | 2/5 | Ch 4 |
| 2/10 | Ch 5 | 2/12 | Ch 5 |
| 2/17 | Ch 6 | 2/19 | Ch 6 |
| 2/24 | Ch 7 | 2/26 | Ch 7 |
| 3/3 | Guest lecture: Transport - Stenchikov - confirmed | 3/5 | Guest Lecture - Stenchikov - radiative forcing confirmed |
| 3/10 | MIDTERM | 3/12 | Guest lecture: Aerosol physics - Miller - confirmed |
| 3/17 | SPRING BREAK | 3/19 | SPRING BREAK |
| 3/24 | Guest lecture: Aerosol chemistry-Turpin-confirmed | 3/26 | Go over midterm |
| 3/31 | Ch 8 | 4/2 | Guest lecture: Global warming - Robock - confirmed |
| 4/7 | Ch 9 | 4/9 | Ch 9 |
| 4/14 | Ch 12 | 4/16 | Ch 12 |
| 4/21 | Ch 14 | 4/23 | Ch 14 |
| 4/28 | Discussion of term papers | 4/30 | Discussion of term papers |