Students are expected to understand how meteorological data is collected, be able to
interpret meteorological codes and station models, and create and interpret weather
maps.  Students will also be expected to learn basic forecasting tools.  Students
will be evaluated by their ability to use and analyze weather data.

This course meets the following General Education Abilities by accomplishing the
specific learning objectives listed below:

Communicate effectively through speech.  This is met by oral presentations, 
discussion leading, and classroom participation.

Computer Literacy is addressed through course administration, student-faculty 
electronic interaction, and data analysis activities and assignments.

Critical Thinking is central to the learning objectives of this class, and is
developed through homework assignments, lecture, classroom discussion, and inquiry-
based learning efforts.

Introduction
Weather observations, codes, station model
A physical foundation, atmospheric dynamics
Structure of the atmosphere
Atmospheric pressure, geopotential height
Forces, physical laws
Geostrophic wind
Gradient wind, surface winds
Atmospheric kinematics
Convergence/divergence
Deformation, advection
Waves in the atmosphere
Vorticity, advection
Vertical motion, Quasigeostrophic theory
Atmospheric thermodynamics
Measures of moisture
Laws of thermodynamics
Atmospheric stability, thermodynamic diagrams
Stability indices
Synoptic-scale weather systems
Air masses
Front types
Frontogenesis
Polar front, polar jet stream
Structure of extratropical cyclone
Life cycle of an extratropical cyclone
Cyclogenesis

Lab:
Computer basics, forecast contest, forecast discussion
Time zones, isopleth analysis, basic weather map analysis
Metar decoding, station models, isopleth analysis 
Upper-air decoding, isopleth analysis 
Forces, map analysis using QG theory 
Use of a thermodynamic diagram, stability indices
Decoding MOS/FOUS
Investigating thickness
Forecasting cyclone development