research

Courses

Introduction to
Atmospheric Science

This course is an introductory course in Atmosphere Sciences, given to first year undergraduate students in Geophysics and Planetary Sciences. The course covers the composition and structure of the atmosphere, thermodynamics and atmospheric stability, radiation and energy balance, aerosols and clouds, winds and circulation patterns in the atmosphere, and storms of different scales and sizes.

Introduction
to Climate

This is an introductory course given in the Geography Department, for first year students. The course deals with the basics of Climate Theory. The Earth's energy balance; solar radiation; the earth's orbit and the ice ages; the seasons; the structure and composition of the atmosphere; the hydrological cycle (clouds and rain); atmospheric motion and weather systems; as well as the influence of the oceans on our climate.

Climate
Change

This course is given to 3rd year undergraduate Geophysics students. It deals with all the factors that influence the Earth's climate: solar forcings, volcanoes, clouds, oceans and human influences. An introduction to climate models is provided to help demostrate how scientists study past, present and possible future changes in the Earth's climate. The course also covers the problems of Ozone Depletion and Global Warming.

El Nino
This course is given to 2nd year undergraduate Geophysics students. Since this course is attended by many students from outside our department, an introduction to basic meteorology and oceanography is given at the beginning of the course. Then we discuss the El Nino phenomenon. Which factors influence the ENSO cycle. How does ENSO influence the weather and climate around the globe. El Nino models used for prediction. What's predicted for the coming year?

Atmospheric and Optical Phenomena in the Atmosphere

This course is given to 3rd year undergraduat students in the Geophysics Department. This course deals with two areas of atmospheric research - Atmospheric electricity and Atmospheric Optics. The courses touches on some of the topics of interest in these fields. In Atmospheric Electricity we learn about atmospheric ions, conductivity, the global atmospheric electric circuit, cloud electrification, electrical discharges, the lightning discharge, electric fields generated by lightning processes, and thunder. In the section on Atmospheric optics we discuss rainbows, halos and Rayleigh Scattering in the atmosphere.

Biomass Burning
This seminar is given to graduate students. We discuss the global phenomenon of biomass burning. Both natural and anthropogenic fires are studied. How do aerosols and gaseous emissions from fires impact the atmosphere and the Earth's climate? How may future climate change influence the frequency of wildfires? What is deforestation, and is it changing the climate of tropical regions?

Atmospheric Electricity
This seminar is given to graduate students. We discuss a wide range of topics in the field of Atmospheric Electricity. These range from the fair-weather global electric circuit (AC and DC fields). Aerosols and conductivity of the atmosphere. Global thunderstorm activity and the relation with climate and tropospheric chemistry. Thunderstom electrification and cloud microphysics. Sprites, elves. Electromagnetic methods of observing lightning.

Climate of the Earth

This course is offered in the Tel Aviv University International Program in English. The courses is part of the MSc degree in Enviromental Sciences, given by the Porter School of Environmental Studies. This course covers basic topics related to the Climate of the Earth. The course starts with the Earth's orbit, Milankovitch cycles and the theories of ice ages (paleoclimate). Then we discuss Earth's temperature and the Earth's energy balance. Solar and terrestrial radiation, atmospheric composition, and the vertical structure of the atmosphere. We discuss water, clouds, rain, and cloud feedbacks. Aerosols and volcanoes and the general circulation of the atmosphere. Ocean and El Nino are studied, as well as the cryosphere, biosphere and local anthropogenic effects on the climate. We end with a discussion of the ozone hole and global warming.

Introduction to Atmospheric Science	This course is an introductory course in Atmosphere Sciences, given to first year undergraduate students in Geophysics and Planetary Sciences. The course covers the composition and structure of the atmosphere, thermodynamics and atmospheric stability, radiation and energy balance, aerosols and clouds, winds and circulation patterns in the atmosphere, and storms of different scales and sizes.
Introduction to Climate	This is an introductory course given in the Geography Department, for first year students. The course deals with the basics of Climate Theory. The Earth's energy balance; solar radiation; the earth's orbit and the ice ages; the seasons; the structure and composition of the atmosphere; the hydrological cycle (clouds and rain); atmospheric motion and weather systems; as well as the influence of the oceans on our climate.
Climate Change	This course is given to 3rd year undergraduate Geophysics students. It deals with all the factors that influence the Earth's climate: solar forcings, volcanoes, clouds, oceans and human influences. An introduction to climate models is provided to help demostrate how scientists study past, present and possible future changes in the Earth's climate. The course also covers the problems of Ozone Depletion and Global Warming.
El Nino	This course is given to 2nd year undergraduate Geophysics students. Since this course is attended by many students from outside our department, an introduction to basic meteorology and oceanography is given at the beginning of the course. Then we discuss the El Nino phenomenon. Which factors influence the ENSO cycle. How does ENSO influence the weather and climate around the globe. El Nino models used for prediction. What's predicted for the coming year?
Atmospheric and Optical Phenomena in the Atmosphere	This course is given to 3rd year undergraduat students in the Geophysics Department. This course deals with two areas of atmospheric research - Atmospheric electricity and Atmospheric Optics. The courses touches on some of the topics of interest in these fields. In Atmospheric Electricity we learn about atmospheric ions, conductivity, the global atmospheric electric circuit, cloud electrification, electrical discharges, the lightning discharge, electric fields generated by lightning processes, and thunder. In the section on Atmospheric optics we discuss rainbows, halos and Rayleigh Scattering in the atmosphere.
Biomass Burning	This seminar is given to graduate students. We discuss the global phenomenon of biomass burning. Both natural and anthropogenic fires are studied. How do aerosols and gaseous emissions from fires impact the atmosphere and the Earth's climate? How may future climate change influence the frequency of wildfires? What is deforestation, and is it changing the climate of tropical regions?
Atmospheric Electricity	This seminar is given to graduate students. We discuss a wide range of topics in the field of Atmospheric Electricity. These range from the fair-weather global electric circuit (AC and DC fields). Aerosols and conductivity of the atmosphere. Global thunderstorm activity and the relation with climate and tropospheric chemistry. Thunderstom electrification and cloud microphysics. Sprites, elves. Electromagnetic methods of observing lightning.
Climate of the Earth	This course is offered in the Tel Aviv University International Program in English. The courses is part of the MSc degree in Enviromental Sciences, given by the Porter School of Environmental Studies. This course covers basic topics related to the Climate of the Earth. The course starts with the Earth's orbit, Milankovitch cycles and the theories of ice ages (paleoclimate). Then we discuss Earth's temperature and the Earth's energy balance. Solar and terrestrial radiation, atmospheric composition, and the vertical structure of the atmosphere. We discuss water, clouds, rain, and cloud feedbacks. Aerosols and volcanoes and the general circulation of the atmosphere. Ocean and El Nino are studied, as well as the cryosphere, biosphere and local anthropogenic effects on the climate. We end with a discussion of the ozone hole and global warming.