MN-GM-GEOPLATM

Specialisation Module: Planetary Atmospheres
Identification Number MN-GM-GEOPLATM		Workload 180 h	Credit Points 6	Term 1st - 3rd Semester	Offered Every on special announcement	Start on special announcement	Duration 1 semester
1	Course types a) Lecture b) Exercise			Contact times 30 h 30 h		Private study 30 h 90 h
2	Module objectives and skills to be acquired Introduction to planetary atmospheres, their evolution, their structure and the different underlying atmospheric processes. Fundamentals of different atmospheric experimental measurement techniques, their possibilities, and limitations. Basics of atmospheric modeling, model assumptions, and simplifications for different planetary environments and on different spatial and temporal scales.  Acquired skills: Ability to understand the basics of different atmospheric processes and their influence on the evolution of different planetary atmospheres. Fundamental understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different planetary atmospheric measurement techniques (remote sensing and in situ) and the assumptions and simplifications used for atmospheric modeling. Critical assessment, and discussion of scientific work.
3	Module Content 1. Introduction Definition of planetary atmospheres 2. Origin and Evolution of Planetary Atmospheres Origin of Planetary Atmospheres Atmospheric Evolution Processes Development of different planetary environments over time & climate changes 3. Experimental Techniques for the Study of Planetary Atmospheres Remote sensing techniques from Earth and from Space In situ measurement technqiues 4. Structure & Composition of Planetary Atmospheres Vertical temperature structure Ionospheres Composition Radiative Transfer, radiative equilibrium, momentum equations 5. Global Atmospheric Motion & Atmospheric Dynamics Energy transfer Atmospheric waves Winds Instabilities 6. Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modeling Basics of atmospheric modeling Simplifications and assumptions used for different model purposes on different spatial and temporal scales.
4	Teaching Methods Lectures and exercises. The exercises will pick up themes from the lectures and give the students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the lecture content.
5	Prerequisites (for the Module) Formal: None. The content of the course requires the undergraduate knowledge of mathematics, physics and space geophysics.
6	Type of Examination At the beginning of the lecture-free period, there is a 120 to 180-minute written examination, the content of which is the material from the lecture and exercises. Successful completion of the exercises is required for admission to the examination; for this, the acquisition of 50% of the points to be achieved is sufficient. A repeat examination is offered before or at the beginning of the following semester. The written examination grade is the module grade. In the case of two passed examinations (see § 20 paragraph 10 examination regulations), the better grade is the module grade.
7	Credits awarded The module is passed, and the credit points will be awarded, if the written examination is passed.
8	Compatibility with other curricula Suitable as an elective course for physics students.
9	Proportion of final grade Weight of the module grade in the overall grade: 6/150 (4 %)
10	Module coordinator Silvia Tellmann
11	Further information Version: 2023-03-28