Course Syllabus

PHYS 1135 Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory

Course Description

PHYS 1135 is a laboratory course to accompany PHYS 1130. PHYS 1130 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. In PHYS 1135, students will learn techniques of measurement and data analysis in context of the principles taught in PHYS 1130. (Lab fee required)

Justification

This course is the companion to the lecture course, PHYS 1130. Students explore the scientific method to understand scientific principles evident in the atmosphere. Hypothesis testing in a laboratory setting is an essential experience in understanding the scientific method. 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 evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam.
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. Students will be evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam.
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, and other fields to describe conditions of our atmosphere and climate. Students will be evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam.
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 lab results, then relate those explanations to current weather and to forecasts. Students will also be able to use concepts from this course to describe particular occurrences within nature. Students will be evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam.
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 explain what is happening in each lab and how it relates to real-world physics and meteorology. Students will be evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam.
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 be evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Topics learned in the lecture course, such as Newton's Laws of motion, heat, pressure, wind, etc., are physical laws that govern the world around us. Students will be able to apply these topics to given scenarios in the lab, which can then be applied to daily problems such as predicting behavior in weather fronts and storm movement. Students will be expected to experiment, analyze, and discuss results from each lab. Students will be evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam. Topics learned in the lecture course, such as Newton's Laws of motion, heat, pressure, wind, etc., are physical laws that govern the world around us. Students will be able to apply these topics to given scenarios in the lab, which can then be applied to daily problems such as predicting behavior in weather fronts and storm movement. Students will be expected to experiment, analyze, and discuss results from each lab. Students will be evaluated through lab reports, quizzes, and/or the final exam.

Course Content

Students will do hands-on laboratory exercises to study first-hand a number of principles taught in PHYS 1130: Introduction to Meteorology. Some of the principles examined in the lab may relate to measurements of the atmosphere, heating of the atmosphere, relative humidity and cloud formation, relationships between pressure and wind, and storm development. As time allows, other topics (such as climate) may be addressed.