Course Description
Atmospheric composition and structure, clouds, precipitation, and atmospheric motion and winds. Organized weather systems, including air masses, fronts, and severe weather. Discussion of global climates includes circulation, wind systems, climate classification, and climate change.
Athena Title
Intro to Weather and Climate
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in GEOG 1112, ATSC 1112
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- By the end of the course, students will be able to assess the physical forces that govern atmospheric motion and describe the mechanisms that drive atmospheric water and energy cycles, allowing them to explain weather systems including mid-latitude cyclones and hurricanes.
- By the end of this course, students will demonstrate an ability to identify and explain geographic controls on weather and climate.
- Students will identify the interactions between human activities, modification of the earth-atmosphere system, and changes to the atmosphere and climate.
- Throughout this course, students will develop an appreciation of the importance of science in our everyday lives and its role in influencing policy decision making.
Topical Outline
- Introduction to the Physical Sciences
- Atmospheric Composition and Structure
- Earth-Sun Relationships and Seasons
- Energy; Convection and Conduction; Radiation
- Temperature and Temperature Patterns
- Atmospheric Moisture
- Atmospheric Stability
- Air Pressure, Atmospheric Forces, and Winds
- Global Circulation
- Oceans and Ocean Currents
- Air Masses and Fronts
- Clouds and Precipitation
- Mid-Latitude Cyclones
- Tropical Cyclones
- Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
- Weather Analysis and Forecasting
- Climate Classification
- Climate Change/Global Warming
General Education Core
CORE II: Physical Sciences
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
