Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Weather, Climate and Society - Micrometeorology
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Geography
Module Code	03 36274
Module Lead	Martin Widmann
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	The ‘Weather, Climate and Society’ part of the module is designed to make students familiar with basic aspects of weather and climate in the mid-latitudes and tropics (observations, processes, analysis, weather forecasts and climate predictions), and the way operational information is used for benefit for society. The latter includes the discussion of interfaces between forecasters and end users in economy and society. Specific applications are highlighted: the potential of wind and solar power; the cost/benefit of the use of weather information by industry; the two-way relationship between climate and society and the methods of climate impact assessment. The ‘Micrometeorology’ part of the module will provide students with an understanding of: (1) the principles of meteorology at small scales (metres to kilometres), (2) the meteorological processes near the earth's surface (e.g., over a range of different surfaces/environments) associated with the exchange of heat, mass and momentum, and (3) transport and dispersion of pollutants in the atmospheric boundary layer.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to:Analyse a synoptic weather chart and recognise the large scale weather situation. Understand the nature of climatic variability and change.Understand the main principles of weather forecasting and climate prediction.Describe basic applications of meteorological / climatological information from an end-user and scientific perspective;.Understand basic concepts of atmospheric hazards risk assessment.Demonstrate knowledge of meteorological processes near the earth's surface and the exchange of heat, mass and momentum between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere.Transfer this knowledge to applied micrometeorological problems in different environments e.g., urban/rural climate and air quality.Demonstrate knowledge on methods for analysing near-surface meteorological data: (a) to derive quantities such as heat and moisture fluxes; (b) to estimate energy budgets for a range of natural and human-made surfaces and to predict local climate; and (c) to assess the effects of micrometeorological processes upon air quality.
Assessment	36274-01 : Essay 2000 words : Coursework (50%) 36274-02 : Essay 2500 words : Coursework (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: essay (50%; 2000 words) and project report (50%). Reassessment: resubmission of failed components
Other
Reading List