42206 - Earth System Analysis Modulübersicht

Module Number: 42206 - Phase-out Module
Module Title:Earth System Analysis
  Erdsystemanalyse
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Dr. rer. nat. Keuler, Klaus
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every summer semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:Seminar/exercise on 'Atmospheric dispersion'
Understanding of the basic mechanisms that determine transport and dispersion of pollutants released into the atmosphere. The distribution of emitted gaseous pollutants and aerosols in the atmosphere is influenced by several factors, e.g. atmospheric conditions like wind velocity and stability, source characteristics like emission rate and height, and the shape of terrain. By performing a number of sensitivity studies with a Lagrangian particle model the student should realize the meaning of these factors for shape and maximum concentration of an exhaust-gas plume in the vicinity of the emitting source. From these experiments, mitigation strategies to keep atmospheric pollution (immission) below certain threshold values are derived and evaluated.

Lecture/exercise on 'Earth system modeling'
Global, regional and local changes changes of the environment as well as health problems are expected or already occur as a consequence of the anthropogenic climate change or of pollution. State of the art models of the earth system allow at making predictions of the system behavior in dependence on actions taken.
The course makes familiar with the method of earth system modeling as a scientific basis for finding solutions to environmental problems related in particular to global climate change.
Contents:Seminar/exercise on ‘Atmospheric dispersion’
  1. Basic aspects of atmospheric dispersion and the concept of Lagrangian modelling (lecture) 
  2. Intruduction to the use of the graphical interface Austal View (tutorial) 
  3. Application of the Lagrangian particle model AUSTAL2000 (exercise) 
  4. Design and execution of own sensitivity studies (project work) 
  5. Analysis of results (presentation and discussion)
Lecture/exercise on 'Earth system modeling'
The course is an introduction to modeling of the earth system. This comprises (1) finding an appropriate system of equations for earth system analysis, which allows at identifying the relevant processes, (2) developing a method of an efficient solution, since the models usually have no analytical solution and need to be solved numerically by computers, and (3) analyzing the range of validity of the results obtained. In particular the following topics are investigated:
  1. Conservation principle and budget equationst
  2. Coupling of earth system compartments: Forcings, interactions and feedbacks
  3. Simplified Earth system models and their solutions
Recommended Prerequisites:Seminar/exercise on ‘Atmospheric dispersion’
  • Participation in module 11681 "Atmosphere" of ERM program
  • Ability to work systematically and structured
  • Experience with Windows PCs in particular file system management, Excel, Power Point
Lecture/exercise on 'Earth system modeling'
  • Basic physics: classical mechanics, hydro- and thermodynamics
  • Mathematics - especially: multi-dimensional functions, differentiation and integration, ordinary and partial differential equations
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Exercise / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:Seminar/exercise on ‘Atmospheric dispersion’
  • Lecture notes
  • Austal View User’s Guide
  • Framework and Daughter Directives of the EC on ambient air quality assessment and management
Lecture/exercise on 'Earth system modeling'
  • All materials used in the lecture or exercise are made available during the course
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:Seminar/exercise on 'Atmospheric dispersion'
  • Execution of model simulations and one oral presentation of results (ca 15 min)
    contribution to final grade 50%
Lecture/exercise on 'Earth system modeling'
  • Two oral presentations of results, 15 min.
    contribution to final grade 50%
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:20
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Environmental and Resource Management / keine PO
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2015
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Umweltingenieurwesen / keine PO
Remarks:Seminar/exercise on ‘Atmospheric dispersion’
Important: Since the number of participants is limited for this module, official registration must be made before the start of the lecture period. The practical part of the course requires personal attendance in the PC pool of the Chair of Atmospheric Processes at Campus Nord.
Lecture/exercise on 'Earth system modeling'
Additional modules/courses/lectures are Atmosphere, hydrological cycle and soil physics.

Module with limited number of participants – Registration two weeks prior to the commencement of lectures!
This module is a phase-out module that will be offered for the last time in summer semester 2023.
Module Components:

every summer semester:

  • 240121 LE/EX Earth System Modeling
  • 240103 Seminar/Practical training Atmospheric dispersion
  • 240104 Seminar/Practical training Atmospheric dispersion 
Components to be offered in the Current Semester:
Follow-up Module/s: Phase-out module since: 06.01.2023
  • without Follow-up Module/s