Course Syllabus

PHYS 1130 Introduction to Meteorology

Course Description

This course introduces students to the physical, chemical, and dynamic processes of the atmosphere. Scientific principles that govern the atmosphere are analyzed, including the formation of the atmosphere, heat imbalance, cloud formation, weather forecasting, and common atmospheric features such as weather fronts, and severe weather. The course also examines weather hazards and patterns common to Utah and the local region. Historical weather events are also evaluated in their respective spatial and temporal context.

Justification

Meteorology is a complex subject that combines many physical and life science concepts to describe the weather and climates of the world. Topics addressed include physics, chemistry, geology, geography, botany, and others. Weather impacts everyone's life in one form or another. Understanding the science behind meteorology allows people to more readily adapt to their environment. Natural science is the systematic inquiry into natural phenomena, organizing and condensing those observations into testable models and hypotheses, theories or laws. The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to: 1) expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists which requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials; 2) abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental evidence. Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. (Adapted from a statement by the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1999.)

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will develop skills used by physical scientists to help them understand the natural world. They will be able to identify and evaluate the influence of weather and climate on cultures and people from around the world. Students will be assessed through homework, quizzes, and exams.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will be able to evaluate recorded weather and climate data and reports to understand historical patterns and current events. Students will also learn how to use historical and current data to forecast future weather. They will be assessed through homework, quizzes, exams, and projects.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will be able to apply basic principles from physics, chemistry, geography, geology, biology, economics, politics, and other fields to describe past, present, and future conditions of our atmosphere and climate. They will be assessed through homework, quizzes, exams, and projects.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will be able to take the concepts from this course and create a detailed explanation to current weather and to forecasts. Students will also be able to use concepts from this course to describe particular occurrences within nature. They will be assessed through homework, exams, and projects.
5. A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. The primary responsibility of all meteorologists is public safety. Key to this is communicating current and forecasted conditions. Students will be expected to lead a weather discussion on current conditions and to make a forecast. Students will demonstrate their skills in communication through homework, and projects.
6. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason quantitatively.  Meteorology follows the basic laws of physics, and so follows specific patterns and equations. Through this course, students are taught to reason analytically, critically and creatively about various physical phenomena and how they can be used to reach the desired solution. Students will show their ability to make basic measurements and calculations on the atmosphere through homework, quizzes, and exams, projects, or participation in class.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Topics learned in this course, such as Newton's Laws of motion, gravity, planetary motion, conservation of energy, etc., are the laws that govern the world around us. Students will be able to apply these topics to daily problems such as predicting behavior in weather fronts and storm movement. A student's ability to use these concepts to solve daily problems will be assessed using homework, quizzes, and exams. Topics learned in this course, such as Newton's Laws of motion, gravity, planetary motion, conservation of energy, etc., are the laws that govern the world around us. Students will be able to apply these topics to daily problems such as predicting behavior in weather fronts and storm movement. A student's ability to use these concepts to solve daily problems will be assessed using homework, quizzes, and exams.
2. Demonstrate understanding of forces in the physical world. Students will be able to describe the forces involved in driving wind and severe weather events. The specific roles of gravity, pressure gradient forces, the coriolis force, centripetal forces, and friction and their role in driving wind will be addressed. Students will demonstrate their understanding of these forces through homework, quizzes, and exams.
3. Discuss the flow of matter and energy through systems (in large and small scales). Students will learn the mechanisms of heat transfer. Specifically, students will be able to describe the role of the sun on the Earth's atmosphere, the importance and influence of latent heat in the atmosphere and around individual people, the greenhouse effect, and the overall balance of energy throughout the Earth's atmosphere. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the flow of matter and energy using homework, quizzes, and exams.
4. Develop evidence-based arguments regarding the effect of human activity on the Earth. Students will be able to describe the formation of our atmosphere, from the earliest atmosphere when the Earth first formed through today. This description includes the role that humans have played in that development. Students will also learn about human influence on our atmosphere, both locally and globally. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the effect of human activity using homework, quizzes, and exams.
5. Describe how the Physical Sciences have shaped and been shaped by historical, ethical, and social contexts. The structure of the Earth's atmosphere has changed many times since the original atmosphere when the Earth first formed. Students will understand how the atmosphere was and can be influenced by physical phenomena, such as outgassing, natural and human-caused changes on the Earth's surface, volcanoes, nuclear winters, pollution, and others. Students will also learn why the subject of climate change is difficult to resolve, based on ethical and social norms today, as well as lifestyles that can affect the future of our atmosphere. Students will demonstrate their understanding of these issues using homework, quizzes, or exams.

Course Content

Using lectures, class discussion, and interactive models, this course will include topics addressing the formation of the atmosphere, the motions of the atmosphere, severe weather, forecasting, and the Earth’s climates. Discussions in lectures will address basic weather patterns as well as weather and climate impacts to different regions and cultures around the world. The impacts of various societies to the atmosphere and climate change will also be addressed.