Welcome to the GEOS 650, Environmental Monitoring, webpage for the Fall 2024 semester.


Above: Field of beautiful wildflowers near Landshut, Germany, on June 23, 2024. Photo by Shane Mayor.

Optional book: Meteorological Measurement and Instrumentation by Giles R. Harrison, (c)2015.
Link to on-line library version (requires csuchico.edu connection). Link to Publisher.

Aug. 26, Mon.: Lab: Introduction. Discussion of backgrounds and interests.
Aug. 28, Weds.: Lecture: Begin Chapter 2. Principles of Measurement and Instrumentation with focus on analog to digital conversion.
Sept. 2, Mon.: Labor day. Campus closed.
Sept. 4, Weds.: Lecture: continue with characteristics of measurement and data
Sept. 9, Mon.: Lab 1: Blinking LEDs and sensing temperature from a TMP36 with an Arduino Uno R4 Wifi
Sept. 11, Weds.: Lecture: derivation of exponential response time equation.
Sept. 16, Mon.: Lab 2: Use of a thermistor
Sept. 18, Weds.: Lecture: Begin temperature and thermometers.
Sept. 23, Mon.: Lab 3: Soldering pins on data logging shield
Sept. 25, Weds.: Lecture: reference instruments and environments, errors, calibration, shelters, types of thermometers including max-min, bimetallic strip.
Sept. 30, Mon.: Lab 4: setting real-time clock and recording date, time, and temperature on SD memory card with data logging shield
Oct. 2, Weds.: Lecture: Complete temperature sensing: electronic sensors and radiation shields
Oct. 7, Mon.: Lab 5: Characterization of thermistor performance: resolution, accuracy, precision, and response time.
Oct. 9, Weds.: Lecture: Begin Chapter 9: Electromagnetic radiant energy
Oct. 14, Mon.: Lab Finish lab 5
Oct. 16, Weds.: Lecture: on-line lecture about the nature of radiation and radiometers (with emphasis on solar radiation)
Oct. 21, Mon.: Lab: Tour of the Raman-shifted Eye-safe Aerosol Lidar
Oct. 23, Weds.: Lecture: 6 ways to quantify moisture in the atmosphere.
Oct. 28, Mon.: Lab 6: Use of Matlab to reconstruct Fig. 6.3 (e_s(T) over liquid and ice)
Oct. 30, Weds.: Lecture: Techniques to measure water vapor in the atmosphere.
Nov. 4, Mon.: Lab 7: Use of the Adafruit SCD-41 Carbon Dioxide sensor and i2c communications.
Nov. 6, Weds.: Lecture: Begin Chapter 6: Pressure and pressure sensors
Nov. 11, Mon.: Veterans Day. Campus closed.
Nov. 13, Weds.: Lecture: Begin Chapter 8: Wind velocity and wind sensors
Nov. 18, Mon.: Lab: Students work on term projects.
Nov. 20, Weds.:Lecture: Wind sensors
Nov. 25, Mon.: Thanksgiving holiday
Nov. 27, Weds.: Thanksgiving holiday
Dec. 2, Mon.: Lab Students work on term projects.
Dec. 4, Weds.:Lecture: How to measure above towers: balloons, aircraft, drones, and remote sensing, esp. radar.
Dec. 9, Mon.: Lab: Students work on term projects.
Dec. 11, Weds.: Last Lecture: Final thoughts on Environmental Monitoring and overview of advanced radar and lidar.
Dec. 18: Final exam period: 10:00 - 11:50 AM: Students present results of term projects.


Dr. Mayor's page

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