# Undergraduate Numerical Techniques for Atmosphere, Ocean and Earth Scientists: ATSC 409¶

## Calendar Entry¶

Web-based introduction to the practical numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations including considerations of stability and accuracy. Credit will not be granted for both ATSC 409 and ATSC 506/EOSC 511.

## Course Purpose¶

The students completing this course will be able to apply standard numerical solution techniques to the solution of problems such as waves, advection, population growth.

## Instructors¶

Phil Austin, 2-2175, paustin@eoas.ubc.ca, Rm 157 EOS South
Susan Allen, 2-2828, sallen@eoas.ubc.ca, Rm 3017 ESB

## Prerequisites¶

Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations (MATH 215 or equivalent) AND a programming course. Partial Differential Equations (Math 316 or Phys 312) is recommended. [1]

## Course Structure¶

This course is not lecture based. The course is an interactive, computer based laboratory course. The computer will lead you through the laboratory (like a set of lab notes) and you will answer problems most of which use the computer. The course consists of three parts. A set of interactive, computer based laboratory exercises, two mini-projects and a final project.

During the meeting times, we will hold short quizzes (just to make sure you are keeping up) and brief presentations to help with technical matters and the more difficult sections of the course.

You can use a web-browser to examine the course exercises. Point your browser to:

http://clouds.eos.ubc.ca/~phil/numeric

• Laboratory Exercises 30%
• Quizzes 10%
• Mini-projects 20%
• Project Proposal 5%
• Project 30%
• Project Oral Presentation 5%

## Meeting Times¶

1400-1600 Thursdays, Room 203, Earth and Oceans Sciences (EOS) Main

## Laboratory Problem Sets¶

The laboratory problem sets can be given to either instructor when completed. (We have mail boxes in the Earth and Ocean Sciences Main Office). They may be hand written or typed. You may wish or be asked to include plots and diagrams. You can email us plots instead of printing them. Sometimes, rather than a large series of plots, you may wish to include a summarizing table. If you do not understand the scope of a problem, please ask. The time scales given in the Contents section are based on 7 hours/week additional to class time. Help with the labs is available 1) through a mailing list so you can contact your classmates and ask them 2) during the weekly scheduled lab or 3) directly from the instructors. Assignments, mini-projects and the project are expected on time. Late ones will be marked and then the mark will be multiplied by $$(0.9)^{\rm (number\ of\ days\ or\ part\ days\ late)}$$. (Below we give two dates for each assignment. You should aim for the first one (this would keep you totally up to date). The later one allows a couple of days in case. )

## Contents¶

For each laboratory we give an estimate of number of hours. You will need to complete six hours a week to keep up with the course material covered in the quizzes.

• Introductory Meeting
• Laboratory One
• Estimate: 8 hours
• Quiz #1 Objectives [2] pertaining to Lab 1 sections 4-6
• Quiz #2 Objectives pertaining to Lab 1 and Lab 2 sections 4-5.
• Assignment: See web.
• Laboratory Two
• Estimate: 6 hours
• Quiz #2 Objectives pertaining to Lab 1 and Lab 2 sections 4-5.
• Quiz #3 Objectives pertaining to Lab 2 and Lab 3 section 4.
• Assignment: See web.
• Laboratory Three
• Estimate: 8 hours
• Quiz #3 Objectives pertaining to Lab 2 and Lab 3 section 4.
• Quiz #4 Objectives pertaining to Lab 3.
• Assignment: See web.
• Mini-Project #1
• Estimate: 4 hours
• Details on web.
• Laboratory Four
• Estimate: 8 hours
• Quiz #5 Objectives pertaining to Lab 4 sections 4-5.2
• Quiz #6 Objectives pertaining to Lab 4 and Lab 5 section 4
• Assignment: See web.
• Laboratory Five
• Estimate: 6 hours
• Quiz #6 Objectives pertaining to Lab 4 and Lab 5 section 4
• Quiz #7 Objectives pertaining to Lab 5
• Assignment: 4a, 4b, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3
• Mini-Project #2
• Estimate: 4 hours
• Details on web.
• Laboratory Seven (do 7 if you have PDE’s)
• Estimate: 8 hours
• Quiz #8 Objectives pertaining to Lab 7 section 4-5.3
• Assignment: See web.
• Laboratory Six (do 6 if you do not have PDE’s)
• Estimate: 8 hours
• Quiz #8 Objections pertaining to Lab 6 section 4
• Assignment: See web.
• Project
• Estimate: 16 hours
• 20 minute presentation to the class
• Project report
 [1] If you have PDE’s Lab 7 is strongly recommended, whereas if you do not have PDE’s do Lab 6
 [2] Objectives is an older term for Learning Goals