Course Description
This course will introduce the students to the fundamental principles upon which the atmosphere and climate sciences are based and to provide quantitative description and interpretation of the wide range of atmospheric observing the atmosphere phenomena with an emphasis on sub-synoptic scales (i.e. weather and regional scale climate). This course engages students with real-world examples and a captivating narrative. One of the main goals of this course is not only to provide the basic knowledge of fundamentals of the weather and climate, but also to prepare students for the science of atmospheric modeling and simulations. This course is designed for both science majors and non-majors taking their first course in weather and climate sciences.
Prerequisites: MATH 214 and PHYS 262, or permission of instructor.
Schedule
| Week one: 01/26 | Introduction to the Atmosphere and Climate Science |
| Week two 02/02 | The Energy Cycle Chapter two, Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation |
| Week three 02/09 | Temperature |
| Week four 02/16 | Water in the Atmosphere Reading Quiz One |
| Week five 02/23 | Observing the Atmosphere |
| Week six 03/02 | Atmospheric Forces and Wind Midterm Review Quiz Two |
| Week seven 03/09 |
Global and Small Scale Winds [PPT1] [PPT2]
Reading Mid-term |
| Week eight 03/16 | Spring break |
| Week nine 03/23 | Atmosphere-Ocean Interactions: El Niño and Tropical Cyclones |
| Week ten 03/30 | Air Masses and Fronts Quiz Three |
| Week eleven 04/06 | Extratropical Cyclones and Anticyclones |
| Week twelve 04/13 | Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Reading |
| Week thirteen 04/20 | Weather and Climate Forecasting PPT1 PPT2 Homework 3-4 |
| Week fourteen 04/27 | Past and Present Climates Quiz Four |
| Week fifteen 05/04 | Human Influences on Climate Climate Change - Natural and Anthropogenic Causes Final Exam Summary |
| Week sixteen 05/11 | Final Exam |
Grading
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| (A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=<60) |
Textbooks
Honor code
Students must follow the GMU Scholastic Honor Code. Please show respects to everyone in the classroom. Copying homework (or quiz) is considered cheating.
Useful Links