Environmental Physics

Students are introduced to the application of physics to environmental problems (from climate change to air pollution). In addition, the course deals with state-of-the-art experimental and modelling approaches widely used in the environmental research field. The main goal of the course is to draw students to the complexity and multi-disciplinary character of the applications of physics to the study of the environment and processes governing it.

At the end of the course, students:
1. will be able to discuss about environmental issues related to the atmosphere using the correct scientific approach and dealing with the multiple interactions among different components and formation/transformation/deposition processes;

2. will be able to describe physical-chemical processes underlying the themes of interest (E.g. greenhouse effect, ozone hole, photochemical smog, atmospheric aerosols, ) both in terms of their phenomenology and using proper theory;

3. will know experimental methods and principles of operation to characterise physical-chemical-optical properties of atmospheric components;

4. will know basic principles of modelling approaches to study and forecast atmospheric pollutants.