Atmospheric Research
What atmospheric science courses can be studied in South Africa?
Undergraduate Course for Meteorology in University Of Pretoria
Meteorology is the study of atmospheric phenomena. This not only includes the physics, chemistry and dynamics of the atmosphere but also is extended to include many of the direct effects of the atmosphere upon the earth surface, the oceans, and life in general. The goals of meteorology are the complete understanding, accurate prediction and artificial control of atmospheric phenomena
The majority of meteorologists are employed by institutions dealing with weather and climate of which the South African Weather Service is the largest to become a professional meteorologist a three-year BSc (Meteorology) degree is required together with a BSc (Hons) Meteorology degree. Professional meteorologists work as weather forecasters, researchers, climatologists and lecturers.
Ocean & Atmosphere Science in University of Cape Town
This course deals with the physical attributes of the oceans and their interactions with the atmosphere, which determine the weather and climate patterns we experience. Understanding the ocean and the atmosphere is fundamental to understanding climate change and its impacts. Oceanography covers the extent of the oceans, the physical, chemical and biological properties of seawater including salt and heat budgets, sea surface fluxes and ocean circulation. The principal forcing of the ocean is from the atmosphere and the responses of the sea to this forcing produces the tides, the currents and many types of waves. Aspects of currents and water masses in the oceans of the world and coastal oceanography around South Africa provide the focus of regional oceanography and marine biology.
The sea covers 71% of the planet, but it is the least well known of the environments on earth. An estimated 40% of marine species have yet to be discovered. Students will learn about the functioning of ocean physical and chemical processes, atmosphere-ocean interaction, and biogeochemical cycles in a variety of regions from the tropics to the polar seas and from estuaries to the abyssal depths. The third year courses focus on an integrated approach to ocean circulation in different regions and on the dynamics of the ocean-atmosphere system.
University of the Witwatersrand: Atmospheric science in Geography degree
Environmental ChangeThis course seeks to develop an understanding of the history and nature of the human-environment relations sub-discipline of geography. It further develops an understanding of key environmental challenges, their human dimensions and prospects for a sustainable future. The course includes a focus on global air pollution, tropical deforestation, water resources (inland water quality, oceans and big dams) and natural hazards.
Space and SocietyThe aim of this course is to provide you with an understanding of some of the concepts, definitions and debates in urban geography. This course focuses on the different processes and developments that shape cities on a global and local scale. The course includes the origins and growth of cities, regional perspectives on urbanisation and urban change, residential mobility and neighbourhood change, the economy of cities and the future of the city. There is a research component attached to this course.