ATMO 101: Spring 2018
Introduction to Meteorology
Course Description:
This is a lecture-based course which provides an introduction to atmospheric phenomena and weather. It is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of the earth's atmosphere and its changing behavior as it relates to human activities and how it influences our daily lives. This course provides a first look at various aspects of meteorology including solar radiation, global circulation, environmental issues, winds, cloud formation, stability, precipitation processes, weather systems, and severe weather. The course will also cover meteorological terminology, large‐scale climate processes such as El Niño, and will discuss techniques of weather forecasting. Basic physical principles and processes are emphasized that are important for understanding the world and have broad implications for students interested in weather and global environmental change and other environmental disciplines. We’ll also learn about Hawaii weather as it applies to different topics throughout the course.
Learning Objective:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Demonstrate a familiarity with the basic vocabulary of atmospheric and climate science.
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Explain important environmental problems related to the earth's atmosphere.
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Describe the underlying processes related to temperature, moisture, atmospheric stability,
precipitation, air pressure and winds, circulation of the atmosphere, and weather patterns.
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Identify major cloud types and explain the phenomena of rainfall, fog, snow, sleet, and frost.
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Define a cold and warm front and explain the processes leading to the formation of each.
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Explain the formation of cyclones and anticyclones, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
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Identify favorable conditions for the formation of thunderstorms, and explain lightning and thunder.
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Describe the phenomenon of El Nino-Southern Oscillation and the impacts it has on global climate and weather patterns.
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Describe changes in Earth’s climate in the past, present and future.
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Identify the main culprits of anthropogenic climate change.
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Differentiate between global warming and the greenhouse effect.
Link to Download the Course Syllabus
Resources:
Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere, any edition (by Ahrens and Henson, or just Ahrens), available at the bookstore.
Earlier print or PDF versions by Ahrens are also fine, and actually recommended. Page numbers are given for the 6th edition.
An iClicker is required, they are available at the bookstore
This page will be updated throughout the Spring 2018 semester as the course progresses.
Course resources (Lecture slides, Quizes etc.) can be found here
Week 1: Jan 8-12 - Introduction to the Earth's Atmosphere (Lectures 1 & 2, Quiz 1)
Week 2: Jan 15-19 - Warming the Earth and The Atmosphere (Lectures 3 & 4, Quizes 2 & 3)
Week 3: Jan 22-26 - Air Temperature (Lectures 5 & 6, Quizes 4 & 5)
Week 4: Jan 29-Feb 2 Humidity, Condensation, Clouds (Lectures 7 & 8, Quizes 6 & 7)
Week 5: Feb 4-9 - Cloud Development & Precipitation (Lectures 9 & 10, Quizes 8 & 9)
Week 6: Feb 12-16 - Review, & Midterm 1
Week 7: Feb 19-23 - Air Pressure & Winds (Lectures 11 & 12, Quizes 10 & 11)
Week 8: Feb 26-Mar 2 - Atmospheric Circulation (Lectures 13 & 14, Quizes 12 & 13)
Week 9: Mar 5-9 - Air Masses, Fronts & Mid-Latitude Cyclones (Lectures 15 & 16, Quizes 14 & 15)
Week 10: Mar 12-16 - Thunderstorms and Torandos (Lectures 17 & 18, Quizes 16 & 17)
Week 11: Mar 19-23 - Review & Midterm 2
Week 12: Mar 26-30 - Spring Break!
Week 13: Apr 2-6 - Hurricanes (Lectures 19 & 20, Quizes 18 & 19)
Week 14: Apr 9-13 - Light, Color, & Atmospheric Optics (Lectures 21 & 22, Quizes 20 & 21)
Week 15: Apr 16-20 - Air Pollution (Lectures 23 & 24, Quizes 22 & 23)
Week 16: Apr 23-27 - Earth's Changing Climate (Lectures 25 & 26, Quizes 24 & 25)
Week 17: Apr 30-May 4 - Final Review