My research deals with the weather and climate of Earth's polar regions, with a specific focus on the coupling between the atmosphere and other components of the Earth's climate system. I am particularly interested in small scale atmospheric features that can have climatically significant impacts. To further my research in these areas my research group is involved in the development of a Regional Arctic System Model (RASM) that includes atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, land hydrology and marine biogeochemistry components. My research group is also involved in polar atmospheric observations and uses autonomous observing systems to make these measurements. We use automatic weather stations, on the Antarctic continent, and use small unmanned aerial vehicles to make measurements of the polar atmosphere.
keywords
Polar meteorology and climate, weather and climate modeling, autonomous observing systems
ATOC 3050 - Principles of Weather
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
Explores the processes that influence middle latitude weather including atmospheric thermodynamics, cloud and precipitation processes, atmospheric dynamics, air masses and fronts, and mid-latitude cyclones. Recitations and homework assignments will allow students to apply these concepts to real weather data through analysis of weather maps, thermodynamics diagrams and conceptual models. Recommended prerequisites: ATOC 1050 or ATOC major.
ATOC 4500 - Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - Upper Division
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Acquaints students at the upper division level with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours within the degree as long as the topic is different. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Recommended restriction: students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
ATOC 4720 - Atmospheric Dynamics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Introduces the fundamental physical principles that govern the atmospheric circulations across a range of spatial and temporal scales and provides a quantitative description and interpretation of a wide range of atmospheric phenomena. Topics include atmospheric forces, governing equations, balanced and unbalanced flows, atmospheric waves and mid-latitude cyclones. Recommended prerequisite: one year of calculus and one semester of physics with calculus.
ATOC 4750 - Desert Meteorology and Climate
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023
Introduces students to the dynamic causes of deserts in the context of atmospheric processes and land-surface physics. Discusses desert severe weather, desert microclimates, human impacts and desertification, inter-annual variability in aridity (drought), the effects of deserts on global climate and the impact of desert climate on humans. Recommended prerequisites: one semester of calculus and ATOC 1050 or ATOC 1060 or ATOC 3600 or ATOC major. Same as ATOC 5750.
ATOC 4840 - Field Observations and Measurements Laboratory
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Fall 2023
This course introduces students to all aspects of observing the atmospheric state including issues associated with observational and instrument errors, planning and executing measurement campaigns and analyzing and presenting results based on data collected during field campaigns. During the semester students will plan, conduct and analyze data from two atmospheric field campaigns conducted near Boulder, CO using a suite of meteorological sensors. Recommended prerequisites: ATOC 1050 or ATOC 3050.
ATOC 5050 - Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Dynamics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024
Covers atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics and the underlying governing laws and mathematical and physical principles. Topics include atmospheric composition and thermodynamics, conservation laws and atmospheric governing equations, geostrophic balance and balanced flows, vorticity dynamics and boundary layers. Recommended prerequisite: one year of calculus-based physics and math through differential equations. ATOC graduate core course.
ATOC 5500 - Special Topics in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023
Acquaints students with current research in atmospheres, oceans, and climate. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Students may register for more than one section of this course in the same semester. Formerly ATOC 7500.
ATOC 5750 - Desert Meteorology and Climate
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023
Introduces students to the dynamic causes of deserts in the context of atmospheric processes and land-surface physics. Discusses desert severe weather, desert microclimates, human impacts and desertification, inter-annual variability in aridity (drought), the effects of deserts on global climate and the impact of desert climate on humans. Same as ATOC 4750.
