Course Description
Application of satellite remote sensing in meteorology and climatology. Applications include clouds, atmospheric water vapor and precipitation, the Earth's radiation budget, sea and land surface temperatures.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings, assignments, and questions on tests.
Athena Title
Satellite Meteor and Climatol
Prerequisite
(GEOG 1111 and GEOG 1111L) or (GEOG(ATSC) 1112 and GEOG(ATSC) 1112L) or (GEOG 2110H and GEOG 2110L) or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Successful completion of this course will provide the following learning outcomes: A basic survey of regional to global scale meteorological-climate processes and how these processes are linked to human and environmental systems A fundamental understanding of physical and remote sensing concepts and methodologies applied in meteorological/climate analysis and forecasting A rigorous review of current and future observational and prediction systems/methodologies for meteorological and climate studies An opportunity to engage in inquiry-based learning and hands-on application of meteorological and climate satellite data through modules and scenarios Enhanced computer literacy through email/internet transactions, basic computer programming philosophy, internet-based data acquisition, data processing, and analysis through applications modules and inquiry-based scenarios More effective communication through speech and writing as a result of in-class presentations, posters, and written assignments A greater cognizance of the importance of science in the everyday functioning of our planet, and its crucial role in informing science and socio-political stakeholders and policymakers policy As noted above, this course addresses the following General Educational Abilities: Communicate effectively through writing Communicate effectively through speech Computer Literacy Critical Thinking (Engage in complex thought, analysis, and reasoning) Moral Reasoning (Ethics)
Topical Outline
Introduction Basic image analysis Satellites and instruments Synoptic-scale systems Synoptic-scale systems Fronts and waves Mid-latitude cyclones: Cyclogenesis Mid-latitude cyclones: Occlusions, polar lows Mesoscale systems: Oceans and topography Mesoscale systems: Thunderstorms, MCSs Aviation/marine applications Floods/precipitation Winds and Sounders Soils/cryosphere Radiation budget COMET Module Remote Sensing Using Satellites Satellite Meteorology: GOES Channel Selection An Introduction to POES Data and Products Feature Identification from Environmental Satellites Remote Sensing of Land, Ocean and Atmosphere with MODIS The Feature Identification Exercises: Clouds, Snow, and Ice Using MODIS
Syllabus