Next offering is TBD as of Spring 2023
Course Catalog Description: An examination of the chemistry and dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere, including chemical kinetics and the physics guiding the movement of air locally and globally. A special focus is placed on the chemistry and physics of environmental issues including global ozone depletion, the ozone hole, and urban and regional air pollution. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1251 with grade of C or higher, or permission of instructor.
Atmospheric Chemistry is an elective for the Meteorology BS, Earth and Environmental Sciences BS, and Chemistry BA and BS, and I have it is cross-listed as ESCI 5220 for graduate students. We study air quality, global ozone layer depletion, and the Ozone Hole, which are all major environmental problems that research by atmospheric chemists has helped in guiding global solution pathways. Below you can see what the Ozone Hole looks like in September 2025.