Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics for Engineering

TL;DR

This paper proposes an engineering course on atmospheric physics that covers atmospheric processes, pollutant dispersion, and climate, aiming to equip engineers with foundational knowledge for environmental issues within a single semester.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive course structure integrating atmospheric physics topics tailored for engineering students, emphasizing practical application and interdisciplinary relevance.

Findings

Course can effectively cover atmospheric physics in one semester.

Students gain understanding of atmospheric mechanisms and climate issues.

Method of assessment based on practical engineering work.

Abstract

We present the proposal of an elective for engineering courses, designed to train professionals with a solid foundation in Physics of the Atmosphere interested in environmental and sustainability issues broadly. We propose four chapters that contain a variety of topics but strongly interrelated, which correspond to three main areas: nature of the atmosphere and meteorology relevant to contaminant transport, the dispersion of air pollutants and climate in general. We conclude that it is possible train engineers who understand the basic mechanisms that led to the current atmosphere, atmospheric processes related to local and global climate, the dispersion of air pollutants and key concepts such as solar activity, climatic change and climatic variability, even in one semester. It also discusses the relationship with other subjects and proposes and illustrates a method of course approval based on the performance of work directly applicable to engineering problems.