Introduction

Environmental science and engineering is full of examples where assumptions about instruments have resulted in reseachers missing the point (e.g., satellites measurements showing ozone depletions in the ozone hole that "could not be real". The challenges and demands on environmental measurement systems have only increased as society has demanded a more accurate and precise understanding of the environment and how it is evolving.

The figure opposite shows a change in a climate record that is associated with a change in the weather balloon instruments used at the site. (From: Ramaswamy, V., et al. , 2001, Stratospheric Temperature Trends: Observations and Model Simulations, Rev. Geophys., 39(1), 71–122).

Class Overview

Investigate physical principles of environmental sensors (e.g., temperature, pressure, wind, constituents) develop performance concepts, and explore the principles and practices of environmental measurement systems. Understand the context and limitations of environmental measurements. The class will provide hands-on experience working with a commercial data logging system.

Click here  for the online schedule details.

Why take this class?

This class is designed as an opportunity for students in science and engineering, who are doing research (e.g., project, paper, thesis, or dissertation) with environmental instrumentation and/or remote sensing techniques either directly or by using data sets. The class will provide a framework for students to better understand and critically evaluate the techniques they are using, how these techniques impact the data, and influence how we understand the environment. Class time will allow for field trips to field sites (e.g., satellite facilities, weather balloon launch, air quality monitoring centers).

This class may be of particular interest to students who wish to get to the winter break with that instrumental section or chapter written for their thesis!

The Text Book

Meteorological Measurement Systems
Fred V. Brock and Scott J. Richardson
ISBN13: 9780195134513
ISBN10: 0195134516 hardback, 304 pages

The test book provide a contemporary framework for understanding the key issues in the performance of measurement systems as well as reference on current meteorological measurement systems.

First Class

The class will meet for the first time on Tuesday September 9th (NOT Thursday September 4th) in Reichardt 207 at 2pm.

Students should come prepared to discuss their particular application and what they hope to see covered in the course. The syllabus is offered as a framework, the specific details and topics will be tailored to the proffessional needs of the students.

The Instructor

Richard Collins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He maintains an active laser remote sensing at the Lidar Research Laboratory at Poker Flat Research Range. His research interests include physics and chemistry of the middle atmosphere, remote sensing, instrumentation, and engineering . He has participated in studies of the aurora, noctilucent clouds, the ozone layer, forest fires, and fish.

e-mail:   rlc@gi.alaska.edu
Office:   317 Akasofu
Phone:  (907) 474-7607