GG 3068 - Atmospheric Pollution 
Tutor: Doug Benn
Course outline
The aim of the course is to explore the ways in which human activity has
affected the atmosphere, and in turn, the implications that atmospheric
change has for human societies. The scientific basis for a range of issues
will be explored, to give the student a sound basis for assessing reports
in the media and in academic journals. The course will explore the basic
physics and chemistry of processes such as the formation of acid rain and
photochemical smogs, although no prior knowledge of atmospheric physics
or chemistry is required. The course concludes with a consideration of
the ways in human damage to the atmosphere can be controlled.
Assessment
Assessment will be by exam (67%) and project (33%). Projects will
be a joint submission completed by groups of approximately 5 students,
although each student's contribution will be given a separate mark. The
project title is:
Atmospheric
Nuclear Weapons Testing: A Major Air Pollution Disaster?
Full details can be found by clicking the highlighted text.
Exam Papers
Two example exam papers are now online: click here.
Lecture Notes
Lectures are in two-hour slots, with a short break at a convenient point.
Full lecture notes for the course can be found by clicking the highlighted
text below.
Lecture 1 - Introduction to Air Pollutants and the
Atmosphere
Lecture 2 - Urban Air Pollution
Lecture 3 - Long-range air pollution
Lecture 4 - Indoor air pollution: home and work
Lecture 5 - Nuclear Issues: weapons testing,
Chernobyl, and other disasters.
Lecture 6 - The Ozone layer
Lecture 7 - Climatic change: is it all our fault?
Lecture 8 - Air pollution - solutions and prospects
Course Forum
Registered students can use the online forum to ask questions relating
to any part of the course, discuss course-related matters, or participate
in online seminars.
http://cgi.st-andrews.ac.uk/Geography/get/GG3068.html
Reading lists