Course: Planetary Boundary Layer Meteorology

This is a graduate-level course and will be given in English (undergraduate student at senior level can also take this course).

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to

1) understand the characteristics, vertical structure of the PBL

Course Content:

1. Mean boundary layer characteristics

a) boundary layer definition

b) turbulent transport

c) boundary layer structure

2. Mathematics

a) eddy flux

b) turbulent kinetic energy

3. Governing Equations

a) equation of mean variables in a turbulent flow

b) Simplifications, approximations

4. Prognostic equations for turbulent flux

5. Turbulent kinetic energy

6. Turbulent closure techniques

    a) closure problem

    b) local closure and nonlocal closure

7. Boundary conditions and external forcing

a) surface turbulent flux

b) surface energy budget equations

c) radiation budget

     d) partitioning of flux into sensible and latent heat flux

8. Similarity theory

     a) Buckingham Pi dimensional analysis methods

     b) stable, neutral and convective BL similarity relationship

9. Convective mixed layer and stable boundary layer

10. Measurement and simulation methods

Text Book

An introduction to boundary layer meteorology by Roland B. Stull.