Speaker
Mr
Adewale Ajao
(Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
Description
Atmospheric processes largely are described by the laws of physics and chemistry, which can be demonstrated by well-tested models. The quest for improved delivery in teaching of University-level courses in physical meteorology (atmospheric thermodynamics, radiation and optics, cloud physics and chemistry), has brought to fore demands for the introduction of such experimental models as instructional aids to supplement classroom lectures.
Due to prohibitive costs of setting up of meteorology laboratory in the Nigerian Universities, experimental facilities are grossly lacking. To overcome the challenges, an online teaching facility, OAU-METLINK, is being developed by Atmospheric Physics Research Group (APRG) at the Department of Physics and Engineering Physcs, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A suite of computer programs downloadable through weblink from http://www.meteorology.oauife.edu.ng are customized for hands-on exercises using databases of meteorological parameters, instructional videos and Java Applets (as plug-ins).
A meteorological pre-processor is integrated to determine the characteristic atmospheric parameters such as, stability index, mixing height, sensible heat flux, friction velocity, Monin-Obukhov length, precipitable water content, clearness index, lifting condensation level (LCL), etc., from the routinely measured variables like air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and global radiation.
The present initiative is aimed at acquiring relevant computer models and using such to run simulations to gain better understanding of the phenomena occurring in the atmosphere. It is intended that the online resource is used solely for teaching of courses in physical meteorology at Obafemi Awolowo University, and extended later to other universities in Nigeria.
Primary author
Prof.
Oluwagbemiga Jegede
(OAU, Ile-Ife)
Co-authors
Mr
Adewale Ajao
(Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
Dr
Lukman Sunmonu
(Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
Dr
Muritala Ayoola
(Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
