Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
METD010.
Course Title (CB02)
Weather and Climate Processes
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the principles of the sciences of meteorology and climatology. Topics include the history of the sciences; origin, evolution, and structure of the atmosphere, major atmospheric variables that determine the weather, global and local wind circulations, air masses and frontal systems, birth and development of extratropical and tropical cyclones and associated severe weather phenomena, weather map analysis and interpretation, objective techniques used by meteorologists to forecast weather, air pollution, atmospheric optics, global climate and the processes that produce climate change including "global warming."
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Earth Science]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - METEOROLOGY]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is the introductory level of study for atmospheric science. It conforms to the educational standards established by the American Meteorological Society and provides the student with an overview of the physical sciences of meteorology and climatology. This course meets a general education requirement for °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSU GE, and IGETC General Education Patterns, and also counts towards the Liberal Arts: Science, Math, and Engineering Emphasis degree. It is also UC and CSU transferable.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GBX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area B - Natural SciencesApproved
2GES°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE - Environment Sustainability and Global CitizenshipApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGB1CSU GE Area B1 - Physical ScienceApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG5AIGETC Area 5A - Physical ScienceApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
5.0
Maximum Credit Units
5.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours5.010.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
60.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
120.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
120.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

  • ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.
  • Pre-algebra or equivalent (or higher), or appropriate placement beyond pre-algebra

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Assignments

  1. Required readings from the textbook
  2. Classroom lab exercises in weather analysis
  3. Preparation for objective-type examinations including a comprehensive final examination.
  4. Field and In-Class Activities using weather instruments and real-time weather data.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Participation in and contribution toward classroom discussion of meteorological concepts covered in regular reading assignments.
  2. Practice and demonstration of critical thinking skills and problem solving techniques in classroom team lab meteorological exercises graded on accuracy.
  3. Objective-type quizzes and examinations including a comprehensive final examination which require students to summarize, integrate and analyze meteorological and climatic concepts that have been introduced, studied and discussed throughout the quarter.
  4. Field and In-Class Activities that measure, collect, and interpret weather data that are graded on accuracy.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • Access to °®¶¹´«Ã½ College's Automated Weather Source Digital Weather Station located atop the Kirsch Center

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Lutgens, Frederick K. and Tarbuck, Edward J."The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology"Pearson Publisher14th edition, 2018978-0134758589
Robinson, Peter J. and Henderson-Sellars, Ann"Contemporary Climatology"Pearson Education Limited, Essex, England2nd edition, 2014978-0582276314
Ruddiman, William F."Earth's Climate: Past and Future"W.H. Freeman and Co, New York, New York3rd Edition, 2016978-1429255257
Ahrens, Donald C."Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere"Cengage Learning9th edition, 2023978-0357857557

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Analyze the historical development of meteorology and climatology as sciences and assess their impact on public safety as well as the local, national and international economic, environmental, ethical and political issues facing atmospheric and climate scientists today including such diverse issues as the impact of global climate change and the role of women and ethnic minorities in the weather industry.
  • Describe the variation in physical properties and chemical composition of the atmosphere with height above the earth.
  • Examine the interaction of both solar and terrestrial radiation with earth's atmosphere and surface. Identify the primary causes of the seasons as a function of the tilt of earth's rotational axis and its effect on solar altitude in the sky.
  • Distinguish between heat and temperature and explain their relation to molecular motion. Identify the causes of global and local diurnal temperature variations.
  • Define the concept of "relative humidity" and the processes by which atmospheric moisture forms clouds, fog, and precipitation.
  • Describe the conditions of the atmosphere that determine vertical stability and instability.
  • Discuss the role of the pressure gradient, Coriolis, centrifugal, centripetal and friction forces in generating wind. Identify how atmospheric temperature and moisture affect surface air pressure. Describe the planetary wind circulation
  • Locate and identify air masses on weather maps using surface weather data and satellite imagery. Describe major frontal systems, their vertical structure and associated weather.
  • Explain the genesis and stages of development of midlatitude wave cyclones; relate air mass movements to frontal weather systems.
  • Identify the various forms of severe weather and the personal safety procedures recommended for each.
  • Provide an overview of the Earth changing climate since its formation and delineate the probable causes of climate change.

CSLOs

  • Analyze and explain the objective techniques used by atmospheric scientists to forecast and understand our planet's weather and to predict future changes in our planet's climate. .

  • Assess and critique the impact of meteorology and climatology as sciences on local, national and international economic, environmental, ethical and political issues including climate change.

  • Analyze and describe the general concepts behind atmospheric processes that affect our weather and climate.

Outline

  1. Analyze the historical development of meteorology and climatology as sciences and assess their impact on public safety as well as the local, national and international economic, environmental, ethical and political issues facing atmospheric and climate scientists today including such diverse issues as the impact of global climate change and the role of women and ethnic minorities in the weather industry.
    1. Define the scientific method, and its application to meteorology and climatology.
    2. Outline the historical development of the fields of meteorology and climatology.
      1. Identify the contributions by women to the fields of meteorology and climatology.
      2. Outline the contributions of various cultural and ethnic groups to the sciences of meteorology and climatology.
      3. Outline the contributions of queer and transgender individuals and groups to the fields of meteorology and climatology
      4. Evaluate the fields of weather lore and mythology as applied to the science of meteorology.
      5. Appraise the ethical and political issues surrounding climate science and the global environment such as atmospheric ozone depletion and global warming
      6. Delineate the various types of meteorological instrumentation and the weather data that is provided.
      7. Relate the the various axioms of contemporary meteorological and climatological theory.
    3. Demonstrations of the impact of weather systems on human safety, economy and comfort.
  2. Describe the variation in physical properties and chemical composition of the atmosphere with height above the earth.
    1. Describe the variation of physical properties of the atmosphere with height.
    2. Identify the chemical components of the atmosphere and their importance
    3. Distinguish Weather from Climate
  3. Examine the interaction of both solar and terrestrial radiation with earth's atmosphere and surface. Identify the primary causes of the seasons as a function of the tilt of earth's rotational axis and its effect on solar altitude in the sky.
    1. Breakdown the electromagnetic radiation into its various forms of energy by wavelength and frequency.
    2. Identify the global horizontal and vertical heat imbalances in the atmosphere.
    3. Define and provide examples of the processes of scattering, reflection and absorption of solar radiation by earth's atmosphere and surface.
    4. Differentiate between latent and sensible heat transfer.
    5. Illustrate the causes of the Earth's seasons
    6. Define and illustrate in diagram form the Global Energy Balance, the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming and shows their interrelationship.
    7. Explore how the atmosphere scatters and reflects visible light, producing optical phenomenon.
  4. Distinguish between heat and temperature and explain their relation to molecular motion. Identify the causes of global and local diurnal temperature variations.
    1. Distinguish Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin Temperature Scales from each other, and convert between them.
    2. Define kinetic energy and explain the difference between Heat and Temperature.
    3. Identify the local and global controls of Earth's temperature
    4. Define Heat Index and Wind Chill, and their impacts on Human Comfort
    5. Describe the various types of thermometers and proper techniques for their use.
  5. Define the concept of "relative humidity" and the processes by which atmospheric moisture forms clouds, fog, and precipitation.
    1. Diagram the hydrologic cycle and define associated terminology.
    2. Explain the concept of relative humidity and describe the factors which cause its increase and decrease.
    3. Identify atmospheric saturation processes including dew, frost, fog and clouds.
    4. Identify the difference between clouds of vertical and non-vertical development.
      1. Compare the primary cloud formation processes
      2. Identify the ten types of clouds of vertical and non-vertical development.
      3. Define and Distinguish the four types of fog development.
    5. Define the term precipitation.
      1. Compare the Collision-Coalescence and Bergeron processes of precipitation formation.
      2. Define primary forms of liquid and solid precipitation and the atmospheric condition under which they form.
  6. Describe the conditions of the atmosphere that determine vertical stability and instability.
    1. Define the Environmental lapse rate.
    2. Describe adiabatic lifting and sinking processes in the atmosphere.
    3. Contrast stable and unstable atmospheric conditions.
    4. Explain how stability relates to air quality and atmospheric pollution.
  7. Discuss the role of the pressure gradient, Coriolis, centrifugal, centripetal and friction forces in generating wind. Identify how atmospheric temperature and moisture affect surface air pressure. Describe the planetary wind circulation
    1. Describe the meaning and measurement of air pressure.
    2. Diagram the global wind circulation.
      1. Delineate the forces affecting motion of air.
      2. Describe the difference between surface and upper level winds.
      3. Define the jet stream and relate its relation to weather systems.
    3. Categorize several contrasting isobaric patterns and the weather they produce.
  8. Locate and identify air masses on weather maps using surface weather data and satellite imagery. Describe major frontal systems, their vertical structure and associated weather.
    1. Classification air masses and identify their characteristics and source regions.
    2. Identify four types of weather fronts and the weather they produce.
    3. Characterize the pre and post-frontal weather of each type of front.
    4. Identify fronts on a synoptic weather map.
  9. Explain the genesis and stages of development of midlatitude wave cyclones; relate air mass movements to frontal weather systems.
    1. Relate the role of global circulation and upper level winds to the development of a midlatitude cyclone.
    2. Explain the various stages of cyclone development using the Norwegian model.
    3. Diagram the primary paths of extratropical cyclones in the United States.
  10. Identify the various forms of severe weather and the personal safety procedures recommended for each.
    1. Describe and compare the three stages of thunderstorm development.
    2. Describe the four stages of tornado development as related to the supercell thunderstorm.
    3. Hurricanes and Typhoons
    4. Identify severe weather human safety procedures and the economic impact of severe weather.
  11. Provide an overview of the Earth changing climate since its formation and delineate the probable causes of climate change.
    1. Identify and describe the five major climatic types identified in the Koppen Climate Classification System, and relate the basic causes of their differences.
    2. Describe the Ice Ages and relate their possible cause.
    3. Identify the natural artifacts used by scientists to determine past global climate.
    4. Identify the Maunder Minimum in solar activity and relate its association with the Little Ice Age.
    5. Analyze the three external causes of climate change including changes in solar radiation, changes in composition of Earth atmosphere and changes in the Earth's surface and provide an example of each.
    6. Relate the Milankovitch Theory as related to global climate change.
    7. Describe the "global warming" that has occurred in Earth's atmosphere over the last one hundred years and relate its possible causes including the Greenhouse Effect.
      1. Identify primary anthropogenic causes, such as greenhouse gas emissions and land use changes
      2. Discuss and propose potential solutions to either mitigate or adapt to Climate Change
    8. Explore the major impacts of Climate Change on physical/environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects of our planet
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