DRAFT 2008 syllabus.
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to provide you with an understanding and appreciation of weather phenomena, while providing a solid background for further study in meteorology. Although modern meteorological research is highly quantitative, the basics can be taught qualitatively, making frequent use of charts, graphs, tables, and simple equations. While there are no prerequisites for the course, each student is expected to be able to read and quickly interpret maps, diagrams, charts, graphs, etc.
Course Grading:
(1) Exam I (20%) -- Chapters 1 to 4 -- First Thursday
(2) Exam II (20%) -- Chapters 5 to 8 -- Second Thursday
(3) Exam III (20%) -- Chapters 9 to 12 -- Third Thursday
(4) Exam IV (20%) -- Chapters 13 to 16 -- Fourth Thursday
(5) Assignments (20%) -- ten, equally weighted, tied to the textbook material, completed in Desire2Learn.
Course Schedule:
The course closely follows the textbook's organization, Meteorology Today, by C. Donald Ahrens, 8th edition (2007):
Introduction: History of Meteorology
Ch. 1: Atmospheric Evolution, Present Atmosphere
Ch. 2: Energy
Ch. 3: Seasons
Ch. 4: Humidity
Ch. 5: Condensation
Ch. 6: Instability and Lifting
Ch. 7: Precipitation
Ch. 8: Air Movement
Ch. 9: Local Wind Systems
Ch. 10: Global Wind Systems
Ch. 11: Air Masses and Fronts
Ch. 12: Mid-Latitude Cyclones
Ch. 13: Forecasting
Ch. 14: Thunderstorms
Ch. 15: Hurricanes
Ch. 16: Climate Change
Some useful weather links:
The Weather Channel
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
National Weather Service -- Interactive Weather Information Network (IWIN)
National Weather Service -- Southern Region Headquarters
NOAA Homepage
Oklahoma Weather Roundup
Regional radar
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Last Updated: 14 May 2008
Oklahoma State University
Department of Geography
Stillwater, OK 74078