Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry
Atmosfärsfysik och -kemi

FKFN45, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2025/26
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED N
Date of Decision: 2025-04-10
Effective: 2025-05-05

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: F4, N4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The course should provide understanding of physical, chemical and meteorological processes in the atmosphere as well as environmental concequences of changes of atmospheric composition caused by human activities, such as climate change, air pollution and destruction of stratospheric ozone. The course should also provide a capability to assess and discuss environmental issues within the working life and societal debate from a natural science perspective.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• know how to undertake physical and chemical calculations for the atmosphere based on presented methodology and modelling tools, such as meteorological box models and simple climate models, and to interpret the results in atmospheric and environmental perspectives
• be able to describe and understand the role of atmospheric processes in important environmental issues from a narural science perspective
• know how to explain qualitatively and in some cases quantitatively the impact of human activities on the atmosphere, and in a wider perspective, the conditions for life.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• acquire knowledge to integrate material on the atmosphere from several disciplines
• acquire knowledge to integrate material from text books and simpler scientific literature
• carry out project work and plan a presentation
• be able to present a project and discuss their results.

Contents

Atmospheric composition and thermodynamical properties, meteorology, meteorological models, geochemical cycles, climate, aerosol, chemical kinetics, stratospheric ozone, oxidising power of the atmosphere, air pollution and acid rain. The project work constitutes studies of scientific literature, follow-up. The project will be presented in a written report and at a mini-symposium. The project work is equivalent to 2.5 weeks of work. Lectures are followed by exercise sessions..

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

The examination consists of a written exam, where students solve problems and answer questions of descriptive character, and a project. Grades are based on the exam results. It is also possible to write a test, which can generate extra credits on the exam.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0124. Name: Project.
Credits: 3.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Examination of oral presentation adn written report.
Code: 0224. Name: Written Examination.
Credits: 4.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Written exam

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: FAFF55 Atomic Physics or KAKF05 Analytical Chemistry or KASF15 Materials Analysis at the Nanoscale.
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: FKFF01 FKFF05

Reading list

• Additional material handed out during the course.
• Jacob, Daniel J: Introduction to atmospheric chemistry. Princeton, N.J. Princeton University Press, 1999, ISBN: 0691001855.

Contact

Course coordinator: Johan Friberg, johan.friberg@nuclear.lu.se
Course coordinator: Pontus Roldin, pontus.roldin@fysik.lu.se
Examinator: Johan Friberg, johan.friberg@fysik.lu.se
Examinator: Pontus Roldin, pontus.roldin@fysik.lu.se