EAE3121 Atmospheric physics for weather and climate
Faculty of Science
EAE3121 Atmospheric physics for weather and climate is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Overview
The Earth’s radiation budget helps define our weather and climate, and changes in this budget are driving climate change and changes in extreme weather events. This unit examines the physics of radiative transfer and how its interactions with clouds and aerosols affect our climate and weather. This unit first examines the scattering, absorption and emission of radiant energy within the atmosphere and how this knowledge is employed by satellite and ground-based instrumentation to observe the atmosphere. The unit then focuses on aerosols, cloud microphysics and the development of precipitation, introducing satellite meteorology, radar meteorology and air pollution meteorology.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Project 1 - Radiative transfer modellingProject15%
- Project 2 - Aerosol spectrum analysisProject15%
- In-class testQuiz / Test20%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the theory of radiative transfer in the atmosphere, including the processes of scattering, absorption and emission;
- 2
Describe the theory of cloud microphysics and the development of precipitation in the atmosphere;
- 3
Apply these theories to the fields of satellite meteorology and radar meteorology;
- 4
Apply these theories to physics of climate change, including cloud-aerosol-climate interactions;
- 5
Explain the concepts, processes and results of atmospheric physics to diverse audiences.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories36 hours
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Three hours of pre-class activities. These will be a mix of pre-recorded videos, activities, problem sets and readings;
- One 3-hour laboratory/support class and
- Six hours of private study/research time per week.
Where it fits
EAE3121 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Steven Siems
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Steven Siems
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EAE3121?
EAE3121 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is EAE3121 offered?
In 2026, EAE3121 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does EAE3121 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include EAE3121?
EAE3121 is part of Climate and atmospheric science.