This class will meet: MWF 10:30 to 11:20 in Skeen Hall W130

What this course will cover
This course will introduce you to the science of air pollution. Topics will include the structure and composition of the atmosphere, aerosol and gas phase classification, effects of pollutants on humans and plants, measurements, regulatory requirements, control technology, smog formation and chemistry, acid deposition, local and long-range transport. We will also discuss how the weather and the atmosphere interacts with pollutants. Additional topics may include prediction of air quality, and climate change.

I hope to have guest lecturers to speak from an agricultural perspective and possibly on air pollution management. We may also go on a field trip to tour an air quality monitoring station later in the semester.

More Information
There will be two one-hour exams, a final exam, a short presentation, and homework assignments for each topic.

Each presentation will include a literature review of a topic approved by the instructor. The review will include a statement of why the topic is important; the scientific understanding of the topic and the scientific uncertainties remaining. If it is a controversial topic, a critical evaluation of both arguments need to be presented. The objective of this assignment is to give the student experience in critical thinking and assessment and presenting the results of the assessment in a clear and concise manner.

Homework assignments will primarily include solving problems, with some manipulation of equations required. The objective of the homework assignments is for the students to obtain an understanding of air pollution issues, develop new skills for approaching air quality problems, and become proficient using relevant equations to make calculations needed for air quality data analysis.

Syllabus
Lecture notes, and class handouts

Text (required)
Text: Jacobson: Atmospheric Pollution, pp. 420
Cambridge University Press; 1st Edition (August 15, 2002)
ISBN-10: 0521010446, ISBN-13: 978-0521010443 ( I bought mine from Amazon used for about $20)

Supplemental Texts (not required):
• Vellero, Boubel, Fox, Turner, and Stern: Fundamentals of Air Pollution, 4th Ed. (very good introduction text, possible replacement for Jacobson if it’s not available; I took this course using this a long time ago)
• Seinfeld and Pandis: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (This is a great text and pretty much all you need to know, but too much for introductory course; if you are serious about pollution you will have this on your shelf)
• Godish: Air Quality (simple but good text)

Prerequisites
PHYS 215, CHEM 112, MATH 191 or permission of instructor

Additional Class Resources
Fun to be added

Last updated April 26, 2011

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