Courses for BSc. Meteorology and Climate Science
There are several courses spread out across the various years under department to make learning efficient. These are mostly course related subjects and topics of interest but interlased with a few indirectly related subjects to educate in various aspects in order to produce a versatile graduate.
DETAILS OF SYLLABUS – COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
YEAR ONE: Semester ONE
PHY 151 INTRODUCTORY MECHANICS 2 Credits
Average speed and average velocity in one dimension; The displacement vector and the general definition of a vector. Vector algebra; Velocity and acceleration vectors. Projectiles. Uniform circular motion. Relativity of motion and the Galilean transformations. Newton’s laws of motion. Momentum of a particle. Forces; the equation of motion and its solution. Friction. Work in one and three dimensions. Kinetic energy. Potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Newton’s law of universal gravitation. Measurement of G. Circular orbits. Elliptical orbits; Kepler’s laws. Momentum of a system of particles. Conservation of momentum. Two-body collisions. Statics of rigid bodies, static equilibrium. Levers and pulleys. Simple harmonic motion. Simple harmonic oscillator: body suspended at the end of a spring simple pendulum. Kinetic and potential energies of a simple harmonic Oscillator. Damped and forced oscillations.
151 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY I 2 Credits
Data versus information. Information as a resource for society and organizations. Sources of data, data processing cycle. Data information needs through an organization and characteristics of information.
Evolution of computers and development of data processing. Classification of computers. Characteristics and functional parts of digital computers. Processing, storage, input/output and telecommunication hardware. Computer systems. Types and applications of computer software. Data hierarchy, logical versus physical representation. Types of file organization and processing methods. Introduction to searching and sorting. Laboratory work.
PHY 153 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM 2 Credits
Charge and Matter, Conductors. Semiconductors and Insulators. The Electric Field . Gauss's Law. The Electric Potential; Potential due to a Dipole. Electric Potential Energy.. Dielectrics: An Atomic View . Dielectrics and Gauss's Law.. The magnetic Field Circulating Charges. Cyclotrons and synchrotrons . Amp 're's Law. Force between two parallel current carrying conductors .The Biot-Sevart Law, Energy and the Magnetic field Mutual Inductance. Magnetic Properties of Matter; Diamagnetism, Paramagnetism, Ferromagnetism. Antiferromagnetism, Ferrimagnetism, Electromagnets and Hysteresis. Electromagnetic Oscillations; Alternating Currents. Power in Alternating Current Circuits. Resonance in Alternating Current Circuits The Transformer. A.C. and D.C. Measurements
PHY 155 EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS I 3 Credits
Basic instrumentation and measurements; Introduction: Design of devices and equipment (for various purposes); Measurement: Quantities obtained by direct and indirect measurements; Error calculations and analysis; Mechanical properties and measurements; Electrical measurements; Supervised laboratory classes in which students carry out set of experiments.
PHY 157 MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS I 2 Credits
The Real Number System: Operation with Real Numbers, Order in Real Numbers, Completeness of Real Numbers and Absolute Value of Real Numbers.
Point Set: Intervals, Neighbourhoods, Limit Points and Bounds and Weierstrass-Bolzano Theorem.
Sequences: Limits of Sequences of Real Numbers, Theorems on Limits, Bounded-Monotonic Sequences, Evaluations of Limit of Sequences.
Functions: Definitions, Bounded and Monotonic Functions; Maxima and Minima; Types of Functions – Polynomial, Algebraic, Transcendental and Hyperbolic Functions and their Graphs; Odd, Even and Periodic Functions.
Limits of functions. Continuous functions. Discontinuities. Monotonic functions. Infinite limits and limits at infinity. Derivative of a function of a real variable. Mean value theorem. Continuity of derivatives. L’Hospitals theorem. Derivatives of higher order. Taylor’s theorem. Application of Taylor’s theorem. Relative extrema
CHEM 155 BASIC PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I 2 Credits
Chemical electrode equilibrium polarisation and kinetics of electrode processes Mass transfer in electrolytic cells, electroplating Batteries and accumulators, fuel cells Surface tension, basic equations and measurements Thermodynamics of surfaces, surfactants - properties and applications Films and monolayers, wetting agents. Emulsions, emulsifiers, foams, foaming agents.
ENGL 157 COMMUNICATION SKILLS I 2 Credits
Eight parts of speech:
1. Nouns and pronouns
2. Verbs, voice, tense
3. Adjectives and Adverbs
4. Conjunctions
5. Prepositions
6. Interjections
Use of article. Use of punctuation. Subject – verb agreement (Concord). Skills in reading, comprehension, summary and paragraph writing.
FC 181 FRENCH FOR COMMUNICATION 2 Credits
La definition et le genre d'un objet
i. Qu' est-ce que c' est? ii. C'est un/une…..
L' identit? d' une personne
i. Qui est-ce? ii C' est …/Est-ce…? iii Qui, c' est… iv Montre-moi ../Voil?/Voici …
L'article defini - Le/La/Les L' emploi de
i. "Est-ce?" ii. "Qui, c' est …" iii. "Non, ce n' est pas …"
Conjugaison
i. Le present de l' indicatif des verbes reguliers et irreguliers
Interrogation
ii. Est-ce que iii. Par inversion iv. Par intonation
L' adjectif
i. Possessif (mon, ton, son, …) ii. Demonstratif ( ce, cette, cet, … )
Les chiffres de zero ? cent ( 0 - 100). L' heure/le temps ( Il fait beau, etc). Localisation (derrire, sous, sur, devant, etc )
L' emploi de
i. Au ii. ? la iii. ? l' iv aux
Les jours de la semaine. Faire connaissance / rencontre. Presentation / salutation. Savoir demander / donner une direction. Au telephone. Au restaurant. Utiliser les formules de politesse. Demander quelque chose / repondre ? une demande. Identifier quelqu' un. La culture francaise
YEAR ONE: Semester TWO
PHY 152 GEOMETRICAL OPTICS AND WAVES 2 Credits
Principles of Optics and Optical Instruments; General properties of Oscillations and waves; Superposition of waves; Acoustic waves; Electromagnetic waves;
Matter waves
152 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY II 2 Credits
Internet-history and the changing world. Hand on experience on website and pages. Web browsers and browsing examples of websites and services. Lab work. Terminologies associated with Internet technologies (on-line domain, sub domain, ISP, TCP, IP address, etc.). Introduction to LAN, WAN, MAN, WWW-topologies; global Internet and global information structure. Features and tools for navigating the Internet. Shared resources-workgroup computing; EDI and Intranet.
Services available on the Internet: electronic mail, network news, bulleting board services (BBS), worldwide document (introduction to html, FrontPage, SQL). Telephone related communication services; video/voice communication and picture phone, automated web search, faxes and files (FTP); remote login and remote desktops (Telnet); facilities of secure communication (communication security); electronic commerce and business; global digital library, etc.
PHY 154 PROPERTIES OF MATTER 2 Credits
Fluids: Pressure; Variation of atmospheric pressure with height; Density: Archimedes’ principle; Applications of Bernoulli’s principle; Properties of solids from molecular theory; Elasticity: Hooke’s law; Elastic moduli; Moleculer theory of matter: particle nature of matter; Steady flow of liquid through a pipe. Poiseuille’s formula. Turbulent motion. Stoke’s law, terminal velocity. Molecular theory of viscosity. Surface tension: some surface tension phenomena: capillarity, angle of contact. Measurement of surface tension; Pressure difference in a bubble or curved liquid surface. Emulsions and emulsifiers; The ideal gas laws: Equipartition of energy. Maxwell’s distribution of velocities. Heat as a form of energy: Thermal expansion of solid and liquids. Thermometers and thermal equilibrium. Conduction of heat. Change of state. Specific heat of a gas .The adiabatic equation.
156 EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS II 3 Credits
Basic instrumentation and measurements: Electronics; Magnetic measurements; Light detectors and other transducers; Thermal properties of matter; Radiation and charged particle detectors; Supervised laboratory classes in which students carry out set of experiments.
158 MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS II 2 Credits
Integration: Definition; Definite Integrals; Integration of Simple Continuous and Rational Functions, Methods of Integration - By Parts, Substitution, Partial Fractions, Approximation Methods (Trapezoidal and Simpson Rules) and Reduction Formula.
Differential Equations: Basic Concepts; Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations by Separable and Integrating Factor Methods; Linear Differential Equations of Second Order with Constant Coefficients; System of First Order Equations; Reduction of nth Order Equation to a System of First Order Equations; Solution in Series; Applications to relevant problems in Physics. Laplace transformations and their application to the solution of second-order LDE’s with constant coefficients.
Matrices: Matrix algebra. Types of matrices; the transpose, adjoint and inverse of a matrix. The invariant of a matrix; Evaluation of Determinants; Application to the solution of simultaneous linear equations and linear systems of differential equations with constant coefficients
CHEM 156 BASIC SICAL CHEMISTRY II 2 Credits
Oxidation. Epithaxial growth. Diffusion. Etching. Crystal growth. Lithography. Ion implantation. Plastics. Chemical structure. Physical, mechanical and elastic properties. Processing and uses. Definitions
i. Polymers ii. Plastics iii. Elastomers
Fibres, coatings, adhesives
ENGL 158 COMMUNICATION SKILLS II 2 Credits
The communication process. Skills in communication. Communication in organisation. How to prepare effective document. The dynamics of oral communication. Business correspondence. Technical report writing. Writing proposals. Memos, briefs, meetings and minutes
FC 182 FRENCH FOR COMMUNICATION II 2 Credits
L'article partitif ( du, de la, de l' , des, ..). Les pronom
Conjugaison
i. Le futur simple ii. Le passe compose
Pronominalisation ( pronom d'objet direct …). L'expression avec " avoir" / "?tre"
i. Ex - avoir besoin de ii. Ex - avoir envie de, etc
Les chiffres de cent ? l'infinite. Degre de l'adjectif. L'expression avec - "Il y a / Depuis. Le pluriel
Mots interrogatifs
i. Quand ii. combien, etc
Au marche (Acheter et consummer ). Invitation. A la banque. Le voyage ( par avion / par le train ). Remplir une appartement. Correspondance ( lettre non-officielle). La culture fancaise (suite)
YEAR TWO: Semester ONE
251 ELECTRONICS I 2 Credits
Work function, space charge, photon emission. General principles and construction of Cathode Ray Oscilloscope. Uses of Oscilloscopes. Rectification and amplification. P-N junction formation and behaviour. Semiconductor diodes characteristics and application. Power supplies and filters. Regulated power supplies. Voltage multipliers. Biasing techniques. AC and DC loadlines. Characteristics of CB, CE, and CC configurations. Introduction to amplifiers: small signal amplifiers, R-C couples amplifiers. Voltage follower configuration.
253 CLASSICAL MECHANICS I 2 Credits
Review of elementary dynamics of a particle; Systems of particles; Collisions; Kinematics of a rigid body; Dynamics of a rigid body; Systems of particles with constraints; Lagrangian formulation of classical mechanics
255 THERMODYNAMICS 2 Credits
Review of heat as form of energy; First law of thermodynamics; The Carnot Cycle; Entropy; the Second law of thermodynamics; thermodynamic processes; thermodynamic potentials; partial derivatives of the thermodynamic potentials; Phase transitions; Physics of low temperatures; Applied thermodynamics
257 EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS III 3 Credits
Practical experiments in Solid State Physics and Materials Science. Practical experiments in Optics. Practical experiments in Electronics; design and fabrication of electronic projects . Practical experiments in Nuclear Physics. To learn scientific report writing. To consolidate theory.
259 MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS III 2 Credits
Directional and partial derivatives. Total derivatives (Differentials). The gradient vector. Differentials of composite functions. Condition for existence of the differential. Partial derivatives of higher order. Applications of partial differentiation: parametric integration; the Jacobian; the inverse and implicit function theorem; extremum problems. Multiple integrals (MI). Surface and volume integrals. Condition for existence of MI. Evaluation of MI: repeated integration; change of variables. Vectors in Cartesian coordinate systems. Change of axes. Scalar and vector fields. Vector fields in a plane. Line integrals; Green’s theorem. Vector fields in space. Gauss’s and Stokes’ theorems. Curvilinear coordinates
MET 251 INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY I 2 Credits
Basic definitions: weather, climate, precipitation, humidity, temperature, pressure, winds; the Earth’s Atmosphere: structure, some basic physical laws: ideal gas law, Dalton’s law, virtual temperature, the hydrostatic equation, geopotential and geopotential height, scale height and hypsometric equation; the high atmosphere altitudes > 100 km: the ionosphere, magnetosphere; radiation: basics; radiative transfer: absorption, emission, scattering, the radiative transfer equation, energy balance and “green house effect”, the solar spectrum, absorption and emission processes in the atmosphere; climate change
MET 253 PROGRAMMING WITH FORTRAN I 2 Credits
The Fortran 90 Basics: Program Structure; Data Types and Numerical Operators (CHARACTER and LOGICAL operators), Valid variable names; Programming Style; Decision Making; The ‘DO’ Construct (Repetition with the DO construct), The CYCLE and EXIT STATEMENTS; Numeric Arrays: Part One, Printing Arrays to the screen; Arithmetic Expression with Integers and Reals; Data type casting; Intrinsic functions; Data Type Limitations: Complex arithmetic, The true meaning of ‘=’ in Fortran 90, Blank spaces and continuation lines, Simple Input and Output; Characters and Strings: Concatenation and substrings, Character intrinsic functions; The ‘PRINT’ Statement in Detail: Descriptor Symbols; Subroutines: Subroutines and Functions, Fortran 90 Modules: An Example Code;Some reasons for using Fortran 90 modules.
ENGL 263 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH I 1 Credit
Literature as Poetry: What is a poem, and its characteristics? Difference between a poem and a song. The figure of speech and the literary device. Practical appreciation. Texts to be studied: selected African and English poems. Literature as drama. What is a play, and its characteristics: Drama and theatre. Shakespeare. The modern play. Texts to be studied: One Shakespeare play and one modern African play.
ECON 151 ELEMENTS OF ECONOMICS I 3 Credits
Fundamental concepts of economics and use of analytical techniques in study of economic problems. Knowledge of principles used in related disciplines. Consumer choice. Determination of prices in different market conditions. Production theory and the theory of distribution
FC 281 FRENCH FOR COMMUNICATION III 2 Credits
Présentation – se presenter; presenter quelqu’un Remplir une fiche de renseignement
Poser des questions pour se renseigner sur quelqu’un. Saluer. Accueillir des amis chez soi
Dire au revoir / Prendre conge. Inviter / Accepter une invitation. Refuser une invitation
Remercier / répondre aux remerciements. Parler de l’avenir / Faire des projets. Raconter au passé. Exprimer une condition. Chercher une chamber à louer. Verbes: Révision du present de l’indicatif. Le future simple. Le passé compose. L’imparfait. Le conditionnel present.
YEAR TWO: Semester TWO
PHY 256 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY 2 Credits
The conservation of charge and the equations of continuity; Maxwell's equations: Maxwell's equations in free space, Maxwell's equations in linear isotropic media, Maxwell's equations for harmonically varying fields; Energy in the electromagnetic field, Poynting theorem. The electromagnetic wave equation. Plane electromagnetic waves in free space. Plane electromagnetic waves in non-conducting isotropic media. Plane electromagnetic waves in conducting media: the "skin depth". Propagation of electromagnetic waves. Polarization of E.M. waves. Boundary conditions of E.M. field vectors at surfaces of discontinuity. Normal and oblique incidence of E.M. waves into a conducting medium. Normal and oblique incidence of E.M. waves into a dielectric medium. Total internal reflection. Transmission lines. Waveguides: Rectangular waveguides. Time averaged power flow. Cavity resonators.
PHY 260 MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS IV 3 Credits
Part One: Numerical Analysis:
Numerical Methods: trapezoidal and Simpson’s rules; Interpolation Methods: Lagrange approximation, error terms and bounds, polynomial approximation, forward, backward and divided differences, Gaussian elimination, Least-square approximation, Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations; methods of solution of system of equations.
Part Two: Probability and Statistics
Probability Distributions: Applications of Binomial, Geometric, Poisson, normal, Exponential, etc. distributions; Statistical Inference: Sampling methods, Estimation and Hypothesis Testing; Regression Analysis: Basic concepts of regression and correlation analysis, correlation coefficient, Estimation of simple and multiple regression models by the method of least squares.
MET 252 INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY II 2 Credits
Thermodynamics of moist air: Basics; interaction processes in the atmosphere: cooling or warming with constant pressure, horizontal mixing, adiabatic expansion or compression; Tephigram; Atmospheric Dynamics: Basics: forces acting on air parcels; the geostrophic wind, the frictional force, the general circulation, heat energy transport, frontal systems; Estimation of Environmental Effects: effects of destruction of the ‘ozone shield’, the greenhouse effect and the global warming
MET 254 PROGRAMMING WITH FORTRAN II 2 Credits
Numeric Arrays: Part Two: Array terminology, Array references, Array construction, The ‘RESHAPE’ intrinsic function, Array Syntax and Expressions, Some Array Intrinsics; Dynamic Allocations of Arrays: Declaration, Allocation, Deallocation; Fortran 90 Keyword and Optional arguments: Keyword arguments, Optional arguments; Simple File Input & Output: The ‘OPEN’ statement, The ‘CLOSE’ statement, The ‘INQUIRE’ Statement, Formatted Files (text files), Unformatted Files (binary files); ‘SELECT CASE’ Construct, The ‘IF THEN ELSEIF’ construct revisited, ‘SELECT CASE’ Construct; Applications to numerical solutions of differential equations.
MET 256 WEATHER FORECASTING AND OBSERVATIONS 3 CREDITS
Atmospheric Motion; Thermal Processes; Moist Processes; Clouds: Frontal cirrus associated with mid-latitude meteorology, Add Cb anvil
Observations: Meteorological instruments: Looking at instruments at the Meteorological Synoptic Station, understand how they work, understand how to take observations from the instruments; Map reading, Plotting practice: codes, charts, tephigrams; Forecasting exercises (assignments).
MET 258 INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY 2 Credits
The nature of the sea-floor; its deposits and resources; the hydrologic cycle; properties and circulation of sea-water oceanic environments; marine food chains; pollution; hydrothermal processes; marine geology
ENGL 264 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH II 1 Credit
Continuation of ENGL 263. Literature as Narrative. Traditional (19th Century) Narrative. Contemporary Narrative. The Africa novel. Texts to be studied: one African Novel and one English Novel.
ECON 152 ELEMENTS OF ECONOMICS II 3 Credits
National income measurements and determinants. Fluctuations in economic activity and trend in Ghana's national income. Index numbers. International trade and national economy, Role of government.
FC 282 FRENCH FOR COMMUNICATION IV 2 Credits
Exprimer ses gouts, son opinion sur quelqu’un ou, quelque chose. Parler au téléphone
A la banque (Ouvrir un compte). Dire à quelqu’un de faire quelque chose. Proposer quelque chose à quelqu’un un. Accepter / Refuser. Donner des informations sur son environnement, sur son pays, etc. Exprimer son accord ou son disaccord. Rapporter les paroles de quelqu’un
Rédiger une letter amicable / officielle. Préparer le curriculum vitae, Relations – cause / consequence: Hypothèse. Se situer dans le temps. Quantifier: Lexique de l’opinion : adjectives et adverbs. Verbes exprimant le gout. Verbes d’opinion. Le plus que parfait
Le future antérieur. Le passif. L’infinitif passé. Le subjonctif present. Le conditionnel passé
YEAR THREE: Semester ONE
PHY 359 MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS V 3 Credits
Infinite Sequences: Definition; Subsequences; Convergent and Divergent sequences; Monotonic sequences of real numbers; Absolute and conditional convergence; Tests for convergence; Power Series: Taylor series;
Special Functions: The error function or integral; Gamma function; stirling’s formula. The Beta function. Application of the gamma and beta functions in integration of real functions;
Fourier Series: Orthogonal systems of functions, Fourier series of a function relative to an orthogonal system. Mean-square approximation. The trigonometric Fourier series. Parseval’s formula and its use in the evaluation of some infinite numerical series. Half-range trigonometric Fourier series. Sine and cosine series; Fourier transform; Convolution operation.
Partial Differential Equations: the wave, heat and Laplace equations; solution by method of separation of variables and integral transforms; the Legendre equation; Legendre polynomials; The Bessel equation: Bessel functions.
MATH 375 NUMERICAL METHODS AND COMPUTATION II 3 Credits
Linear algebraic equations, Equilibrium problems, Elimination methods (Gaussian, LU decomposition), Iterative methods (Gauss-Seidel), Eigenvalues problems: direct methods (e.g. Rayleigh’s quotient), Iterative methods (e.g. power methods), Nonlinear algebraic equations: iterative methods, Newton’s methods, acceleration techniques (e.g. Aitken’s), generalized Newton’s method, polynomial, iterative methods (Bernoulli, Bairstow, Sturm sequences) and continuation methods; Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations: single step methods, multi-step methods, predictor-corrector methods; Partial differential equations (PDE): Discrimination methods, Basis function expansion, Finite difference, Finite element, Finite volume methods.
MET 353 SATELLITE AND RADAR METEOROLOGY I 3 Credits
Introduction to satellites: Functions: Communications, Environmental monitoring, Navigation, Weather forecasting, Manned platforms, Satellite launching; Basic radiative transfer and Remote Sensing Methods, Satellite channels; Introduction to RADARS: Understanding radars and their uses, Main components; Typical parameters; Principles of radar and radar technology; Understanding radar observations and measurements, Rayleigh scattering law, Reflectivity, Radial velocity, Polarisation; Interpretation: Satellite/radar: Land-use, Forest fire, Flooding, Drought, Agriculture, Desert, Oceanography, Seasonal changes in sea temperature, Phytoplankton growth, Seasonal changes in sea ice.
MET 355 ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEAN DYNAMICS 2 Credits
Kinematics: Vorticity, Divergence; Lagrangian and Eulerian frames of reference; Lagrangian derivative; Continuity and state equations; Forces in a Newtonian fluid; The Navier Stokes equations and some basic solutions; Scale analysis and the Reynolds number; Bernouilli's theorem; Incompressible and irrotational flows; the vorticity equation; Some effects of buoyancy and stratification; Fluids on a rotating plane; the Coriolis force
MET 357 ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS I 2 Credits
Microphysics: Cloud Microphysics; Clouds: cloud dynamics, cloud formation processes, properties and distribution of clouds; Aerosols: origin and types of aerosols, characteristics of aerosols: physical properties, chemical properties, size, surface area, volume, mass, optical properties; Aerosol modification on cloud microphysics and dynamics needs development
MET 359 ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE FIELD WORK 2 Credits
(one week intensive field work before beginning of second semester)
Weather forecasting: weather briefings, discussion of latest weather charts from synoptic station, satellite images for the past 24 hours, rainfall radar images, radiosonde data, assignments; the Tephigram: interpreting the temperature and humidity structure of the atmosphere; Carbon monoxide sampling and analysis, Trajectory analysis, Hill profiling and differential GPS, Wind, temperature, turbulence and energy profile; Wind profiling with balloons, Maps; Risk Assessment
MET 361 TROPICAL METEOROLOGY 3 Credits
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology: Define tropical region, review of geostrophic winds, Tropical Deep Convection: thermodynamics and stability; role of wind shear; tropical cyclones: definition, location, formation, factors, geostrophic; interaction with the mid-latitude westerly wind, landfall, interactions between typhoons; ITCZ (ITB): position, season; winds: northeast trade wind, southwest trade wind, effects on weather; Global tropical dynamics: Shallow water model, Kelvin, Rossby and other basic wave modes, Matsuno-Gill model of response to heating; Models of the West African Monsoon, Models of African Easterly Waves: Mean observed structure, Role of barotropic and baroclinic instability, Links with land surface and diurnal cycle, Initiation over hills or in convection, Interaction with upper levels and genesis of hurricanes.
YEAR THREE: Semester TWO
PHY 360 MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS VI 3 Credits
Definition and historical background. Basic algebra and geometry of complex numbers. Definition. Transcendental functions; Euler’s formula and its applications. Complex conjugation of FCV. De Moivre’s theorem and calculation of roots. Trigonometric, hyperbolic and logarithmetric functions. Differentiability and analyticity of FCV. The Cauchy-Riemann relations. Integration of FCV. Cauchy’s integral theorem and integral formulae. Power series expansions for analytic functions: Taylor and Laurent expansions. Zeroes and isolated singularities of FCV. Cauchy’s residue theorem and its application to the evaluation of integrals: contour integration. Improper integrals. Conformal mapping by analytical functions.
MET 354 SATELLITE AND RADAR METEOROLOGY II 3 Credits
Satellite Imagery, Interpreting and understanding satellite images, Application to Aerosols, Dust, Biomass burning; Physical properties of aerosol, Oceanic aerosol; Meteorology: Weather/Atmospheric phenomena, Seasonal changes in: the Ozone layer, Precipitation, Observations of temperature, Advection of air mass, Clouds, Tropospheric trace species, Comparison between satellite and radar meteorology, Comparing satellite and radar observations (e.g. Rain bearing clouds, etc.), Interpretation/predictions of satellite and radar images of global- weather/atmospheric phenomena: e.g. precipitation; Case study project work based on an African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) event
MET 356 SYNOPTIC ANALYSIS AND NOWCASTING 3 Credits
Air mass analysis: Upper and mid-level humidity, Tephigrams; Local wind system: Thunderstorms and mesoscale convection systems, Analysis, prediction, nowcasting and observation of mesoscale weather, Interpretation of satellite and radar images, Nowcasting techniques under operational conditions; Definitions: ITD, Monsoon, African Easterly Jet (AEJ); Extratropical interactions and upper level analysis, African Easterly Wave (AEW) diagnostics, Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMET) forecasting techniques: Current tools; ECMWF and French model wind profiles and surface charts, Radiosondes; Satellite imagery, Climatology, Kelvin waves/Rossby waves, Teleconnections, ENSO, MJO
MET 358 ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS II 2 Credits
Atmospheric Radiative; Single Scattering Properties: Radiative Properties of Clouds, Cloud Response to Climate Change; Properties of Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL); Benard Convection; Turbulent characteristics of the ABL and impacts on resolvable-scale flow; Reynolds decomposition of N-S equations, Surface layer characteristics; Bulk transfer formulations, Ekman layer, Turbulent Kinetic Energy equation, Flow Stability, Nocturnal low-level jet; One-dimensional mixed layer models; Effects of moist convective processes on boundary-layer properties.
MET 360 ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN CLIMATE PROCESSES 2 Credits
The physical coupling and feedback of significant atmospheric and ocean processes currently thought responsible for the observed rapid changes in the Earths climate; Atmosphere radiative transfer through high and low level clouds and the physical implications of aerosols on climate; Atmospheric circulation, Surface ocean/terrestrial/biosphere exchange processes; Greenhouse gas fluxes, implications of sea ice (sea levels); Deep convection and mixed layer dynamics on ocean heat budgets and the breakdown of the thermohaline circulation
MET 362 ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY 2 Credits
Introduction to the structure of the Earth's present atmosphere, the distribution of trace gases; Techniques for studying planetary atmospheres, Computer modelling; Importance of chemical kinetics and photochemistry, Ozone chemistry in the stratosphere, the importance of chain reactions; Photochemical smog formation; Acid rain, the production and removal of nitrogen and sulphur oxides, the importance of heterogeneous processes; the Greenhouse Effect; Evolution of the Earth's atmosphere; Comparison of the Earth's atmosphere with that of some other planets
GEOG 360 CLIMATOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY II 3 Credits
The Earth’s atmosphere: Ozone loss explained, natural factors that affect air pollution, Anthropogenic pollution, Air pollution controls – cost verses benefits; The threat of global warming: global climate change and human health, Green house effect and global warming, Possible effects of a warmer world, Ozone depletion; Desertification: causes, Severity of the issue in West Africa, Soil erosion and degradation, Impact of climate change on agriculture and natural resources, Climate of West Africa, Soils and vegetation of West Africa, Conservation and management of biological resources.
YEAR FOUR: Semester ONE
MET 455 PROJECT I 3 Credits
As a requirement for the B. Sc. (Meteorology and Climate Science) degree, all final year students are require to undertake a research project under the supervision of a member of the teaching/research staff. Students will not only carry out these projects as routine laboratory experiments but also as an introduction to scientific research.
MGT 471 PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT I 3 Credits
The definition, nature, role and scope of management; recognizing its interdisciplinary approach. Relationship of management to administration. Elements/functions of management as perceived by different management authorities. Understanding of management / organizational theory highlighting on the different schools of thought: - scientific, human relations, systems, contingency, etc. Goals of business organizations - economic and social responsibilities of management. The importance of decisions in the management process. Meaning and types of management decisions ; some basic processes in decision making. Models and / or techniques of making decisions; and influence on decisions. The nature and types of organizations. Basic principles and their importance in structuring organizations - organization charts, objectives, scalar chain, span of control, line, staff and functional organization, departmentation, centralization and decentralization, authority, responsibility and accountability, etc. and their implications for organizational administration. Concept of bureaucracy as applied to large scale organizations.
MET 451 AVIATION METEOROLOGY 3 Credits
Icing: Introduction, Effects of Icing on Aircraft, Satellite and Radar Observations, Forecasting Methods; Low Cloud and Poor Visibility: Thunderstorms: Effects of Thunderstorms on Aircraft, Empirical Thunderstorm Forecasting Techniques, Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Guidance, Turbulence: Effects on Aircraft, Convective Turbulence, Mechanical Turbulence, Orographic Turbulence, Clear Air Turbulence, Forecasting Aviation Icing, Synoptic Weather Considerations: Forecasting Fog and Low Stratus; The Impact of Weather on Air Traffic Management; Visible and Infrared Dust Detection Techniques; .
MET 453 CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION/DISPERSION METEOROLOGY 2 Credits
Atmospheric pollution and legislation; Atmospheric pollutants; Measurement techniques; Dispersion; Legislation; Formation and control of pollution; Mechanisms of formation; Motor vehicles and aircraft; Fuel-processing and chemical industries, incineration and landfill; Combustion and plant noise.
MET 459 TROPICAL CLIMATOLOGY 2 Credits
What is Climatology?: Introduction to global climatology: Hadley circulation, Jet streams; Special focus on West Africa, Seasonal cycles of global climate, Regional variations; Monsoons; Characteristics, Focus on West African Monsoon (WAM): Dry/wet season, Mechanisms, Interannual variability; ENSO and its global links; NAO; Factors controlling interannual variability over Africa: Local and remote SSTs, Soil moisture; Teleconnections; Intraseasonal variability: MJO, Intraseasonal effects on WAM; Observations (past and future); Climatology aiding forecasting – ‘seamless’ weather and climate prediction
MET 457 CLIMATE CHANGE: SCIENCE, POLICY AND MANAGEMENT 2 Credits
Observed climate variability and change: climate reconstruction: Climate science: biogeochemistry- and biosphere-climate interactions, Natural modes and coupled systems; Human perturbation of climate; Climate forcing agents, Aerosol forcing of climate, Climate models and simulation of current climate, Climate change detection and attribution; Future climate: Future climate predictions, Effects of climate change – global warming and ozone depletion; Environmental mechanisms through which climate change leads to socio-economic impacts; Methods for assessing socio-economic impacts of climate change: Regional predictions, Adaptability and vulnerability; Climate change mitigation: The international political response, including the flexibility mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol
GEOG 463 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT I 3 Credits
General overview of the environment, the global environmental debate, ecosystem management ethics, environmental risk management, environmental education, ecotourism, environmental policy and development and the threat of global warming
YEAR FOUR: Semester TWO
MET 456 PROJECT II 3 Credits
As a requirement for the B. Sc. (Meteorology and Climate Science) degree, all final year students are require to undertake a research project under the supervision of a member of the teaching/research staff.. Students will not only carry out these projects as routine laboratory experiments but also as an introduction to scientific research.
MGT 472 PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT I 3 Credits
International and group processes / group dynamics, and its relevance to organizational psychology. The application of the theories, skills and concepts like leadership, motivation, communication, morale, organizational climate - their implications for managing people and organization.. Managing stress including self and time management. Managing change - a consideration for the organizational need for change. Reasons / causes of change in individuals and organizations, strategies for effecting change / innovation. Analysis of causes for change / innovation failures in organization, models for establishment of appropriate for managing change / innovation. Meaning of management controls and reasons for their application in management. Processes of control and other forms of information for management. Uses and applications of some control devices / techniques; factors to be considered in effecting some of the techniques, and their inherent problems for instituting them.
MET 452 PREDICTION OF TROPICAL WEATHER SYSTEMS 2 Credits
Introduction to Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Schemes; Finite Difference Schemes for Space and Time; Barotropic and Equivalent Barotropic Models; Thermodynamic Energy Equation and Quasi-geostrophic; Vorticity Equation in Isobaric Coordinates; problems in numerical model schemes over the tropics; Introduction to Initialization and Parameterization in models; Solar Radiation, Terrestrial Radiation and Boundary Layer (radiation) Parameterization; Nowcasting: 10 day, Monthly, Seasonal, Climate; Introduction to GPS occultation weather prediction.
MET454 STATISTICAL CLIMATOLOGY 2 Credits
Inverse methods and Error Analysis; Introduction to statistical issues for atmospheric science and climatology; Time series analysis – basic concepts; Principles of stochastic processes; Auto-correlation theory; Standard statistical distributions; Application of Auto-correlation and auto regressive processes applied to monsoon rainfall data; Spectral analysis; Cospectral methods; Example: Analysis of Intra-seasonal oscillations; Compositing techniques and spatial correlation patterns; Principal component analysis (EOFs): Practical applications; Statistical forecasting; Forecast verification; Statistical verification of Forecast
MET 462 BIOMETEOROLOGY AND HUMAN HEALTH 3 Credits
Human Biometeorolgy (HBM): Relationships between the weather and climate, and the life and health of humans, Quantitative HBM – measurable changes in human health caused by measurable environmental elements, Qualitative HBM – observed medical symptoms obviously triggered or exacerbated by atmospheric conditions or agents, Statistical HBM – searches for correlation between weather/climate elements and human actions, reactions and health; Epidemiology and environmental human physiology: Individual health and disease, Aetiology of human health, Disease and longevity, Public health, Climate-related diseases, Demographic aspects of disease, Sources of epidemiological data, Infectious and respiratory diseases, Circulatory afflictions, Pathological effects of heat, cold climates, and high altitudes, Short-term reactions.
MET458 AGROMETEOROLOGY 3 Credits
Weather observations for agriculture, the meteorological variables: wind, precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration (potential and actual) temperature, winds and humidity extremes. Suggestion of suitable regions for crop production (agroclimatic zoning). Local variations and crop/animal production. Investigation of atmospheric conditions within a crop. Electrical analogues. Farming systems: Cultural practices including land preparation timing and technique as functions of the climate. Soil erosion. Crop-weather modeling for yields and growths. Microclimate modification for crop/animal production; irrigation, mulching, frost protection, wind breaks, evaporative cooling
MET 460 HYDROMETEOROLOGY 2 Credits
The hydrological cycle and major precipitation processes. Conversion of rainfall measured at a point to area estimate; topographic influence. Evaporation processes; Measurement and estimation of evaporation by Penman’s method. Water balance; periods of surplus and deficit. Soil moisture infiltration, soil moisture storage and measurement of flow in natural channels and with structures. Factors affecting runoffs, storm run-off and the unit hydrograph. Effect of vegetation on water balance. River basin development in relation to river regimes. Droughts and its effect on ground water movement and table. Hydrometeorological practice and forecasting; present techniques and trends in the tropics.
Job Prospects for BSc (Meteorology & Climate Science) Students
They can get employment at the following places:
- Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), Accra and its branches throughout the country
- Ghana Civil Aviation Authority
- Hydrological Services Division
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Forestry Commission
- Fisheries Sector
- Marine Sector
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Ghana Standards Board
- Water Research Institute
- Telecommunication Services Companies
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC)
- Ghana Education Service
- Some NGOs and the Private Sector
- Private Enterprises/Entrepreneurship
- Ghana Armed Forces /Police Service, CEPS/ Immigration, etc.
- Ghana Health Service
- Public and Private Universities