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2. Course code

ATM301

3. Course status: compulsory

-Which degree programme is responsible for the course?
Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences

-Which module does the course belong to?
ATM300 Advanced Studies in Atmospheric Sciences (compulsory for all study tracks)

-Is the course available to students from other degree programmes?
Yes

4. Course level (first-, second-, third-cycle/EQF levels 6, 7 and 8)

Master’s level, degree programmes in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine = secondcycle
degree/EQF level 7
Doctoral level = third-cycle (doctoral) degree/EQF level 8

-Does the course belong to basic, intermediate or advanced studies (cf. Government Decree
on University Degrees)?
Advanced studies

5. Recommended time/stage of studies for completion

Early phase of the studies.

6. Term/teaching period when the course will be offered

7. Scope of the course in credits

5 cr

8. Teacher coordinating the course

Leena Järvi, PhD

Liisa Kulmala, PhD

9. Course learning outcomes

• Know the content of ATM-MP and basics of the structure and composition of the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and anthroposphere
• Basics of the general circulation in oceans and atmosphere
• Understanding the basics of energy and matter cycles including water, carbon and nitrogen in the Earth system
• Understanding the complexity of the earth system and interactions between the different Earth spheres
• Understanding the observational scales and the methodological tools used in observing the Earth System
• Basic understanding of the modelling tools and their different scales, and the different model components (parameterisations, land surface models,...), and uncertainties and limitations related to these
• Learning basic study skills such as use of open data, literature search, critical reading

10. Course completion methods

The course is offered as contact teaching. It consists of lectures, exercises, group work and its presentation, and includes a short field visit to Hyytiälä Forest Field station (two days).

The lectures are not mandatory but the student needs to finalize 75% of the exercises in order to pass the course. Group work and its presentation are mandatory similarly to the visit.

11. Prerequisites

Bachelor degree in some relevant field.

12. Recommended optional studies

None

13. Course content

• Introduction of basic concept of the course and ATM-MP study tracks. Structure and composition of the atmosphere and basics of biosphere, hydrosphere and anthroposphere?
• General circulation of the atmosphere and ocean
• Energy and mass cycles (water, carbon, nitrogen)
• Feedback mechanisms of the planet and atmopshere (albedo, pollution, temperature, nitrogen, transpiration, VOC, pests or disturbances, land use changes)
• Measurement techniques (in-situ, remote sensing) and their different observational scales
• Earth System Modelling
• Information retrieval, literature search, guiding in reference, source cristism, use of open data

14. Recommended and required literature

Material consists of the lecture notes and supporting literature will be given on the first lecture.

15. Activities and teaching methods in support of learning

Visit to SMEAR III field station, group work to deepen the understanding of ATM-MP.

16. Assessment practices and criteria, grading scale

The group work and its presentation covers 50% of the grade, other 50% is covered by the exercises.

17. Teaching language

English.