Print Syllabus

Syllabus

MX0166 Environmental physics, 7.5 Credits

Biogeofysik

Subjects

Environmental Science Soil Science

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Enda modul	7.5	0101

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Previous knowledge equivalent to at least:

\- 15 ECTS in Biology and

\- 3 ECTS in Hydrology

Objectives

The overall objective of this course is to provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the significance of physical and biological processes within the soil-plant-atmosphere system for the exchange of mass (water, carbon and nitrogen) and energy.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to

• explain and apply theories on the interactions of physical and biological mechanisms as well as key factors that control the flows of energy, and mass (e.g. water, carbon and nitrogen) in the soil-plant-atmosphere system, with special emphasis on agricultural and forest systems
• conceptualize and quantify the temporal dynamics of energy and water flows in the soil-plant-atmosphere system for different environmental conditions, e.g. different types of vegetation and weather conditions
• describe the links between global and local scales in terms of energy and water balance as well as the relationships to global environmental problems, e.g. climate change

Content

Subject-related content

This course deal with the physical and biological processes that regulate transport and stores of energy and mass (e.g. water, C and N) within the soil-plant-atmosphere system, for different environmental conditions and at scales ranging from local to global. More specifically, the course is about:

• Radiation and energy balance at the global (Earth) and at the local scale (e.g. plant community)
• Atmospheric processes and conditions, including air temperature, vapour pressure and humidity as well as wind and turbulent transport
• Global circulation and climate, including links to the Earth's water and energy balance
• Water balance and water flows in the soil-plant-atmosphere system for different types of plant communities and under different weather conditions and water availability
• Temperature and heat flows in soil, including frost
• Carbon and nitrogen fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems and their interaction with water, temperature and radiation conditions
• Climate change: mechanisms, observations and model predictions as well as its effects on plant communities (e.g. forest and agricultural systems)
• Perspectives on global environmental problems related to mass (water and carbon-nitrogen) and energy balances in terrestrial ecosystems and the role of humans activities
• Introduction to simulation models

*Teaching formats*

To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods is used: lectures dealing with the underlying theories, calculation exercises as well as computer simulations of water and energy flows in the soil-plant-atmosphere system to conceptualize and quantify changes over time.

The course focuses on the following generic competencies:

• scientific methods

The following parts are compulsory (exercises):

• Calculations of radiation and humidity
• Calculations of changes in plant and soil water content over time
• Interpretation of sap flow measurement data
• Calculations of wind speed, aerodynamic resistance and transpiration
• Calculations of temperature and heat flow in the soil
• Computer simulations of the plant's water and energy balances

Collaboration with the surrounding community takes place through

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Passed written exam and approved participation in compulsory parts of the course.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

5 credits in plant anatomy or plant physiology, and 2.5 credits in mathematics are recommended.

Responsible department

Department of Soil and Environment

Cooperating departments: