Syllabus of Astronomy and Meteorology courses:
Astro 201 General Astronomy (Lect. 3 hrs + Sec 3 hrs).- Celestial Sphere and its Coordinates. - Solar System. - Comets – Asteroids – Meteors. - Moon - Lunar Tides – Eclipses of the Sun and Moon. - Stars - Star Clusters – Nebulae. - Milky Way Galaxy - Extra-galaxies and its classifications. Astro 202 Islamic Astronomy (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec. 1 hrs).- Arabic Astronomers. - Time definitions - Prayer Times. - Beginning of Hijerian Months. - Direction of Mecca. - Calendars.
Astro 203 Telescopes and Instruments (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 2 hrs).- Optical Telescopes. - Characteristic of Optical Telescopes. - Radio Telescopes – Orbital Telescopes. - Devices of recording astronomical observations. - Charge-Coupled Device (CCD- camera).
Astro 204 Spherical Astronomy – I (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 2 hrs).- Spherical Triangles and it’s Laws. - Astronomical Coordinates. - Time and it’s Applications. - Rising, Setting, Circumpolar bodies and Twilight.
MET 201 physical Meteorology (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec)- A brief survey of the atmosphere - Origin and composition of the atmosphere- the distribution of the atmospheric mass and gasses constituents – the temperature distribution- winds in the earth’s atmosphere - precipitation. - Atmospheric thermodynamic - The hydrostatic equation and its applications- the first and second laws of thermodynamics and their application in the atmosphere. MET 202 Principals of dynamic Meteorology (Lect. 2 hrs)- Physical dimensions and units. - The equations of motion. - Continuity equation and the thermodynamic energy equation. - Scale analysis. Chapter 1 and 2. An introduction to dynamic Meteorology. By J.R. Holton.
MET 203 Radiation in the Atmosphere (Lect. 2 hrs)Principles of Radiative Transfer - Radiation outside the Atmosphere - Effects of Absorption and Emission - Photochemical Processes in the atmosphere.
MET 204 Synoptic Meteorology (Lect. 2 hrs + 2 hrs Sec)- Synoptic data, atmospheric kinematic features. - Type of winds in the atmosphere (Geostrophic, Gradient, Inertial, Cyclestrophic and Thermal wind) – Air masses- jet streams - Polar front theory- Cyclonic and anticyclonic development in the atmosphere.
Astro. 304 Computer applications (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 2 hrs). Using FORTRAN, Astronomical application using FORTRAN, Prayers times calculations, Kebla direction calculations, Spherical triangle solutions, Conversion of different coordinate systems, Planetary orbits calculations, Calculations of solar and lunar eclipses.
1- Refraction Phenomena and its applications 2- Parallax Phenomena and its applications 3- Geodesy of the Earth and mapping
Astro. 306 Astrophysics -I (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 3 hrs). 1- Luminosity and Absolute Magnitude 2- H-R diagram 3- Binary stars 4- Stellar Atmosphere 5- Line Broadening of stellar spectrum 6- Star with spectral properties (variable stars)
Astro. 307 Solar physics (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 3 hrs). The Solar structure - The Solar phenomenae - The solar terrestrial relationships
Astro. 308 Photometry (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 3 hrs). Introduction - Extinction - Band width filter - System of filter observations - Detectors - Procedures
Astro. 309 Cosmogony (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 2 hrs). 1- Non-spherical masses (dynamical Principles) 2- Configuration of rotating liquid masses 3- Configurations of rotating compressible masses 4- Rotation and fission of stars 5- Evolution of binary systems 6- The solar system
Astro. 310 Celestial Mechanics – I (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 3 hrs). 1- Two body Problem 2- N- body Problem 3- Equation of Trajectory 4- Orbits 5- Kepler Lows
Astro. 311 Spherical Astronomy –III (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 2 hrs). 1- Planetary Phenomena and Heliographic coordinates 2- Precession and mutation 3- Aberration
Astro. 312 Astrophysics - II (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 3 hrs). 1- Stellar Interiors 2- Equation of Hydrostatic Equilibrium 3- Early stages in the life of star 4- The Fusion of Hydrogen into Helium 5- Radial and transverse velocities (Proper motions) 6- Solar speed and secular parallaxes 7- Nebulae
Astro. 313 Celestial Mechanics – II (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 2 hrs). 1- Orbit determination from observations 2- Basic orbital maneuvers 3- Position and Velocity as function of time 4- Ballistic Missile trajectories 5- Lunar Trajectories
Astro. 314 Cosmology (Lect. 2 hrs + Sec 2 hrs). From Newton to Hubble - Laws of graviation - Thermodynamics Relics of Big Bang - Galaxies formation Fortran and Mathematica Languages and application in Meteorology. GrADS software and its use in the display of different Meteorology variables.
MET 305 Dynamical Meteorology I (Lect. 4hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)Elementary applications of the basic equations, Circulation and vorticity, Synoptic scale motions I: Quasi geostrophic analysis, Sutcliffe development technique. Chapter 3, 4 and 6. An introduction to dynamic Meteorology. By J.R. Holton.
MET 306 Physical Climatology (Lect. 4hrs + 2 hrs Sec)- Introduction to the climate system – Summary of the Global energy balance – Atmospheric Radiative transfer and Climate – Climatic sensitivity and feed back mechanism. Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 9. Global physical Climatology by D.L. Hartmann.
MET 307 Atmospheric thermodynamics (Lect. 3 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)- Thermodynamics of dry air – water vapour and its thermodynamics effects – static stability and parcel buoyancy
MET 308 Statistical Meteorology (Lect. 3 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)Review of basic statistical methods. Application to Meteorological problems – statistical weather forecasting and forecast verification. MET 309 Natural Atmospheric Phenomena (Lect. 3 hrs + 2 hrs Sec)- Visibility – Airglow – Refraction of light by air – ice crystals and water drops – Naturally occurring atmospheric radio waves – Refraction of sound waves.
MET 310 Atmospheric Boundary Layer (Lect. 4 hr + 2 hr. Sec)Atmospheric turbulence; Equations governing Turbulent flows; Vertical distribution of meteorological elements in atmospheric boundary; Ekman layer; Secondary Circulation and Spin-Down; Surface Fluxes; Height of Atmospheric Boundary Layer and vertical distribution of Fluxes; Equations for polution propagation; Numerical methods for predicting polution propagation. Chapter 5. An introduction to dynamic Meteorology. By J.R. Holton.
MET 311 Cloud physics (Lect. 3 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)- Mixing and clouds – formation of cloud droplets (ice crystals) – droplet growth by condensation – initiation of rain nonfreezing clouds
MET 312 Numerical Weather Prediction (Lect. 4 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)- Historical Review – Atmospheric waves – Filtering of Gravity and Sound Waves – Introduction to finite difference, spectral and finite element methods. Principle of Finite difference method; Numerical stability and convergence; Simple numerical models. Chapter 7 and 13. An introduction to dynamic Meteorology. By J.R. Holton.
Astro. 401 Variable and Binary Stars (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec) Classification of variable stars High Energy variables stars Law Energy variables stars Early type variable stars Pulsating variable Semi regular and irregular variables Optical Binary Spectroscopic Binary Eclipsing Binary Light curve and stellar properties
Astro. 402 Celestial Mechanics – III (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec)
Astro. 403 Planetary Atmospheres (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec) 1- Origin of Planetary atmospheres 2- The atmospheres of minor planets 3- The atmospheres of major planets 4- Escape of planetary atmospheres 5- Scattering model atmospheres
Astro. 404 Computer applications (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec)
Astro. 405 Galaxies (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec) 1- Organization and structurte of the Milky Way 2- Formation and evolution of galaxy 3- Extra-galaxy 4- The rotation curve of galaxies 5- Mass to luminosity ratio of galaxy
Astro. 406 Interstellar Mater (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec)
Astro. 407 Radio Astronomy (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec) 1- Historical development 2- Theory of antennas and interferometers 3- Signal detection and measurement techniques 4- Thermal synchrotron and spectral – line emission in the context of radio observation of the celestial objects
Astro. 408 Stellar Dynamics (Lect. 2hrs) 1- Statistical Properties 2- The proper motion of stars 3- The solar and parallactic motions 4- Determination of the solar apex 5- The kinematics of stellar systems 6- The elementary theory of galactic rotation
Astro. 409 Stellar Structure (Lect. 2hrs) - the hydrostatic and thermal Equilibrium - the Radiative & convective Equilibrium - the stellar Opacities - the Nuclear Energy generation - Fundamental equation of stellar structure - Convective and Radiative model - Homogeneous complete model - white dwarf stars - Early stellar evolution
Astro. 410 Calculation of Astrophysics (Lect. 2hrs + 2hrs Sec) - Identification of Iron spectrum, Balmer series, and unkown stellar spectrum by using diagram and mathematical methods. - Determination of tangential VT and radial velocity VR of a star . - Determination of proper motion of a star. - The Equivalent Width. - Curve of growth. - Determination of clusters age. - Stellar evolution. - Lifetime of stars. - Determination of Cluster’s distance by using the main Sequence. - Determination of distance from the galactic center. - Classification of galaxies.
Astro. 411 Calculation of Astrometry (Lect. 2hrs + 2 hrs Sec) 1- Occultation solar and lunar eclipse 2- Determination of position at sea 3- Binary stars orbits
MET 401 Dynamical Meteorology II (Lect. 4 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)Atmospheric oscillations: linear perturbation theory, Synoptic scale motions II: Baroclinic instability, Mesoscale circulations, Energetics of the atmosphere. Chapter 8 and 9. An introduction to dynamic Meteorology. By J.R. Holton.
MET 402 Weather analysis and forecasting (Lect. 3 hrs + 3 hrs Sec)Introduction to techniques used in objective analysis of meteorological data; Weather forecasting, Thunderstorms and Tornadoes, The behavior of synoptic- scale: Extratropical systems, Fronts and Jets.
MET 403 Climate models (2 hr Lect. + 2 hr. Exe.)The energy balance of the surface – Climate models. Chapters 4 and 10. Global physical Climatology by D.L. Hartmann.
MET 404 Computer and Meteorological application-2 (2 hrs +2 hrs Exe.)Computation of several Meteorological variables such as vertical motion, radiation fluxes and several properties of the Planatary Boundary Layer.
MET 405 Atmospheric General circulation (2hr Lect. + 2 hr. Exe.)Introduction to the hydrologic cycle – Atmospheric general circulation and climate – Ocean general circulation and climate. Chapters 5, 6 and 7. Global physical Climatology by D.L. Hartmann. MET 406 Climate change (Lect. 2 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)History and evaluation of earth’s climate- Natural climate change- Anthropogenic climate change. Chapters 8, 11 and 12. Global physical Climatology by D.L. Hartmann.
MET 407 Tropical Meteorology (Lect. 2 hrs + 2 hrs Sec.)The observed structure of large scale Tropical Circulation – Scale analysis of large scale tropical motion – Condensation heating – Equatorial wave theory – Steady forced equatorial motion. Chapter 11. An introduction to dynamic Meteorology. By J.R. Holton. MET 408 Middle atmosphere (Lect. 2 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)structure and circulation of the middle atmosphere – the zonal mean circulation of the middle atmosphere – vertically propagating planetary waves – sudden stratospheric warming – Waves in the Equatorial stratosphere – Quasi- biennial oscillation – the Ozone layer. Chapter 12. An introduction to dynamic Meteorology. By J.R. Holton. MET 409 Agriculture Meteorology (Lect. 2 hrs + 2 hrs Sec)- A survey of the interaction between the atmosphere and plants – moisture transfer in the surface layer – crop protection from weather hazards.
MET 410 Marine Meteorology (Lect. 2 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)Meteorological observations and measurements at Sea – Composition and properties of the Marine atmosphere – flow characteristics of the Marine Atmosphere – Thermodynamic processes in the Marine Atmosphere. MET 411 Supervised Research (Lect. 4 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)A research topic is chosen to each student supervised by a stuff member in Meteorology. The student gives a seminar and hands a report, which are evaluated by three staff members. Suggested References For Climate courses: Climate System Modeling. Edited by K.E. Trenberth. A climate modeling primer. By K. McGuffie & A. Henderson-Sellers Introduction to Geophysical fluid dynamics, Chapter 18. MET 511 Dynamical Meteorology (Lect. 3 hrs)The equations governing the atmospheric motion in different coordinates, Barotropic and Baroclinic instability, Middle Atmosphere Dynamics, A study of recent papers in Dynamic Meteorology.
MET 512 Physical Meteorology (Lect. 3 hrs)Radiative transfer, Properties and behaviour of cloud particles; Atmospheric thermodynamics; A survey study of papers in Physical Meteorology.
MET 513 Tropical Meteorology (Lect. 2 hrs)Review of Meteorological elements distribution and circulation over the Tropics with emphasis over Africa, Tropical dynamics, A survey study of papers in Tropical Meteorology. MET 514 Atmospheric Boundary Layer (Lect. 2 hrs)Atmospheric boundary layer Modeling, Air pollution and transport models, a survey study of recent papers in Atmospheric Boundary layer.
MET 515 Numerical Weather Prediction (Lect. 3 hrs)Objective analysis, Initialization and Boundary problems; A detailed study of a Numerical Weather prediction Model; Error in the Model Results and its evaluation.
MET 516 Climate and Climatic change (Lect. 2 hrs)World Synoptic Climatology, Research papers on El-Nino and La-Nina and its relation to Nile Flood, Research studies on Synoptic Climatology of the Middle East and North Africa, Global Climatology and its Change.
MET 517 Synoptic and Mediterranean Meteorology (Lect. 3 hrs)Theory and application of quasi-geostrophic dynamics, Q-vectors and isentropic potential vorticity, diagnostic studies of mid-latitude synoptic-scale systems, dynamics of fronts and jets. Synoptic of the Mediterranean. MET 611 Dynamical Meteorology (3 hrs + 2 hrs Sec.)The equations governing the atmospheric motion, continuity and thermodynamic equations; Quasi geostrophic theory; Circulation and vorticity; Atmospheric Energy.
MET 612 Physical Meteorology (Lect. 3 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)Radiative transfer, Properties and behavior of cloud particles; Atmospheric thermodynamics; Introduction to Cloud Physics.
MET 613 Numerical Weather Prediction (2 Lect. hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)- Historical Review – Atmospheric waves – Filtering of Gravity and Sound Waves – Introduction to finite difference, spectral and finite element methods. Principle of Finite difference method; Numerical stability and convergence; Simple numerical models.
MET 614 Climatology (Lect. 2 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)Introduction to Physical Meteorology, General Circulation of Atmosphere, Climate Models and Climate change.
MET 615 Synoptic (Lect. 3 hrs + 2 hrs Exe.)- Synoptic data, atmospheric kinematics features. - Type of winds in the atmosphere (Geostrophic, Gradient, Inertial, Cyclestrophic and Thermal wind) – Air masses- jet streams - Polar front theory- Cyclonic and anticyclonic development in the atmosphere.
Glossary:Lect. = Lecture Sec. = Section Exe. = Exercises The Lectures and Sections are in Weekly basis for a semester which last for 3 months.
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