KCCD
Course Outline of Record
College: Cerro Coso College

Subject: Physical Science Course ID (CB01): C131
Course Title: Introduction to Meteorology
Course Credit Status(CB04): D - Credit - Degree Applicable

Methods of Instruction & Total Hours of Instruction
Lecture: (1.0 UNIT = 18 Hours) Max: 54 Min: 54
Lab: (1.0 UNIT = 54 Hours) Max: 0 Min: 0
Activity: (1.0 UNIT = 54 Hours) Max: 0 Min: 0
Open Entry/Open Exit: (1.0 UNIT = 54 Hours) Max: 0 Min: 0
Work Experience: (1.0 UNIT = 60 HOURS VOLUNTEER)
(1.0 UNIT = 75 HOURS PAID)		 Max: 0 Min: 0
Max: 0 Min: 0
Other: Clinical, etc. Max: 0 Min: 0
Total Hours: Min: 54 Max: 54
Total Units: Min: 3.0 Max: 3.0

Repeat Details
Repeat Type: Non-Repeatable Credit
Repeat Status
Grading Mode:
Pre-Requisite:
Advisory:


Co-Requisite Course
Fee Required: No Amount: $
Fee Justification:
Transfer Institutions Course Transfer Status (CB05): Transferable to both UC and CSU

Local General Ed: A: Physical Science without Lab
B1 - Physical Science
Physical Sciences
IGETC Date:
CSU GE Certification Date:
UC Date:

Funding Agency Category (CB23): Y = Not Applicable
Taxonomy of Program Course (TOP) Code (CB03):
Course Non-Credit Category (CB22): Y - Not Applicable
Occupational Course (CTE)-Course SAM Priority Code (CB09): Non-Occupational
Course Program Status (CB24): 1 = Program Applicable
Course Classification Code (CB11): A - Liberal Arts and Sciences
Course Basic Skills (BS) Status (CB08): 2N = Course is not a basic skills course.
Course Prior to College Level (CB21): Y = Not Applicable
Cooperative Education Course Coop Work Ed Status (CB10): NCOOP = Not part of Coop Work Exp
Course Units of Credit Minimum Low (CB07): 3.0
Course Units of Credit Maximum High (CB06): 3.0

Course Special Class Status (CB13): N - Not Special
COURSE DESCRIPTION(Please refer to current college catalog): This introductory course in meteorology emphasizes its interdisciplinary physical science basis and methods. Concepts covered include atmospheric composition and structure, solar-terrestrial relations, radiation, heat and temperature, air pressure, humidity, atmospheric stability, clouds and cloud systems, precipitation, wind and circulation, thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes, weather analysis and forecasting, and climate. Special topics of current interest are also discussed such as El Nino, air pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, weather modification, and acid rain. Advisory: Reading Level 1, Writing Level 2.

Student Learning Outcomes Assessments Evidence of Success
Describe the principles of physical science and the scientific method as they apply to the atmosphere. This will be assessed and scored by an exam.
Describe the various atmospheric processes and their relationships that determine the weather. This will be assessed by an exam, scored with a rubric.
Determine how the atmosphere maintains the balances required for continuation of life. This will be assessed by an exam, scored with a rubric.
Compare the strengths and limitations of our understanding of the atmosphere, weather forecasting, and climate. This will be assessed by an exam, scored with a rubric.
Define global climates past and present and apply knowledge of atmospheric processes to assess changes in climates. This will be assessed by an exam, scored with a rubric.
Analyze information as it relates to meteorological topics of contemporary interest. This will be assessed by a discussion, scored with a rubric.

Detailed Topical Outline Linked to Student Learning Outcomes

Student Assignments and Methods of Evaluation
Lecture Content / Assignment Lab Content / Assignment

 

A.            Introduction (A)

  1. Definition of Meteorology
  2. Scientific Method
  3. Scientific Basis of Meteorology
  4. Branches of Meteorology
  5. Sources of weather information
  6. Meteorological instruments and measurements
  7. Information on weather maps

B.             The Earth and Its Atmosphere (A- C)

  1. Atmospheric origin, composition and structure
  2. Distinction between meteorology, weather, and climate
  3. Evolution of the earth’s atmosphere
  4. Atmospheric constituents
  5. Methods of probing the atmosphere
  6. Atmospheric vertical temperature profile
  7. Ionosphere
  8. Solar-terrestrial relations

C.             Energy (A- C)

  1. Electromagnetic radiation spectrum
  2. Energy, temperature and heat
  3. Heat transfer in the atmosphere
  4. Solar radiation and albedo
  5. Solar constant
  6. Earth’s energy budget

D.            Seasons and Temperature (A- C)

  1. Seasonality
  2. Temperature variation
  3. Temperature scales
  4. Heat transport
  5. Specific heat
  6. Heating/cooling degree days
  7. Wind-chill

E.             Atmospheric Humidity (A- C)

  1. Hydrologic cycle
  2. Evaporation, condensation and saturation
  3. Relative humidity and dew point
  4. Measuring humidity

F.             Condensation:  Dew, Fog and Clouds (B, C)

  1. Condensation nuclei
  2. Dew and frost
  3. Fog
  4. Clouds

G.            Stability and Cloud Development (B, C)

  1. Atmospheric stability and instability
  2. Convection
  3. Topography
  4. Changing cloud forms

H.            Precipitation (B, C)

  1. Precipitation processes
  2. Precipitation types
  3. Measuring precipitation

I.              Air Pressure and Winds (B, C)

  1. Atmospheric pressure
  2. Forces that influence the winds
  3. Winds and vertical air motions

J.              Wind:  Small Scale and Local Systems (B, C)

  1. Interactions with the environment
  2. Wind direction and speed
  3. Local wind systems

K.             Wind:  Global Systems (B, C)

  1. General circulation of the atmosphere
  2. Jet streams
  3. Atmosphere-ocean interactions

L.             Air Masses and Fronts (B, C)

  1. Air mass source regions and classification
  2. Fronts

M.           Middle-Latitude Cyclones (B- D)

  1. The polar front
  2. Vertical structure of mid-latitude cyclones
  3. Upper level waves and mid-latitude cyclones
  4. Developing mid-latitude cyclones
  5. Polar lows

 

N.            Weather Forecasting (B, D, F)

  1. Weather forecasting tools and methods
  2. Weather forecasting using surface charts
  3. Weather predictions

O.            Thunderstorms and Tornadoes (B, D, F)

  1. Thunderstorm types and characteristics
  2. Thunderstorm distribution
  3. Lightning
  4. Tornado distribution and formation
  5. Doppler radar

P.             Hurricanes (B, D, F)

  1. Hurricane characteristics
  2. Life cycle of a hurricane
  3. Winds and rain
  4. Notable hurricanes

Q.            The Earth’s Changing Climate (D- F)

  1. Past climates
  2. Causes of climate change
  3. Global warming

R.             Global Climates (D- F)

  1. Climate classification
  2. Global climate patterns and variability

S.             Air Pollution (B, C, F)

  1. Types and sources of air pollution
  2. Factors that affect air pollution
  3. Air pollution and the urban environment

 

Required Texts, Viewing, Readings
Textbooks
        1. B. Ackerman, S. A. & Knox, J. A. . Meteorology: Understanding the Atmosphere, 2nd ed. ed. Belmont, CA: : Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning., 2007
        2. A. Ahrens, C. D. . Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment., 9th ed. ed. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning., 2009
        3. C. Lutgens, F. K. & Tarbuck, E. J. . Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology, 11th ed. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall., 2010
        4. D. Auando E. & Burt, J. E. . Understanding Weather and Climate, 5th ed. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall., 2010
Manuals
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Periodicals
Software
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Other
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Program Identification:(Associate Degree Applicable(ADA))[Link to Chancellor’s Program Inventory]

Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators
Didciplines Requiring a Master's Degree Earth Science
Geography
Physical Sciences
Physics/Astronomy
Master's Degree not Generally Expected

Effective Term: 30 = Spring 2010
Status: Launched
Curriculum Category Core Mission: Associate Degree Applicable (ADA)CSU Transfer

Required Approvals
Course Proposer Date:
Department Chair Date:
Articulation Officer Date:
Dean Date:
Curriclum Committee Approval Date Date:
Curriclum Committee Chair Signature Date:
Vice Presedent of Academic Affairs Signature Date:
Presedent Signature Date:
Board of Trustees Approval Date