12/26/2024 3:35:09 PM	MTER 10 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  MTER 10	Title:  WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Full Title:  Introduction to Weather and Climate
Last Reviewed:9/12/2022

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:  GEOG 10
Formerly:  METRO 10

Catalog Description:

In this course, students will be given a descriptive introduction to the science of the atmosphere. Topics include relationships between Earth and Sun, temperature, moisture and stability, atmospheric pressure and wind, clouds and precipitation, weather systems, hurricanes and tornadoes, weather forecasting, climate patterns and climate change, air pollution, and atmospheric optics.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course, students will be given a descriptive introduction to the science of the atmosphere. Topics include relationships between Earth and Sun, temperature, moisture and stability, atmospheric pressure and wind, clouds and precipitation, weather systems, hurricanes and tornadoes, weather forecasting, climate patterns and climate change, air pollution, and atmospheric optics.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	C	Natural Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B1	Physical Science		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	5A	Physical Sciences		Fall 1981
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe fundamental meteorological concepts and the physical laws which govern atmospheric behavior.

2. Examine the relationships between Earth and Sun and the role each plays in shaping weather and climate.

3. Analyze and interpret weather maps, radar imagery, satellite data, and other remotely sensed data.

4. Examine various climate change scenarios.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Define the nature of meteorology as a science.

2. Identify and describe the elements of weather.  

3. Explain the processes that generate weather phenomena.

4. Identify weather phenomena and patterns on weather maps, and radar and satellite images.  

5. Explain Earth seasonality.  

6. Describe the mechanisms of heat transfer and apply this knowledge to the Earth's radiation budget, greenhouse effect, and climate change.  

7. Recognize and describe global climate patterns and the implications of climate change.

8. Examine and evaluate the merit of scientific claims.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to Science, the Scientific Method, and Meteorology as a Science

II. Atmosphere

    A. Composition

    B. Vertical structure

    C. Weather and climate

III. Solar and Terrestrial Radiation

    A. Electromagnetic spectrum

     B. Insolation

     C. Mechanisms of heat transfer

    D. Earth and Sun relationships

    E. Geospheric energy budget

IV. Temperature

     A. Heat and temperature

    B. Measurement

    C. Controlling factors  

     D. Global, regional, and seasonal patterns

    E. Atmospheric and oceanic circulation  

V. Atmospheric Moisture

    A. Properties of water

    B. Hydrologic cycle

    C. Humidity and humidity measurement

    D. Adiabatic processes and stability

    E. Clouds and fog

     F. Precipitation

    G. Global, regional, and seasonal patterns

VI. Atmospheric Pressure

    A. Relationship between air density and temperature

    B. Measurement

     C. Mapping and analysis  

     D. Global, regional, and seasonal patterns

VII. Wind

     A. Direction, speed, and measurement

    B. Surface and upper level

    C. Global, regional, and seasonal circulation patterns

VIII. Air Masses and Weather Systems

    A. Air masses

     B. Polar, mid-latitude and tropical patterns

          1.  Fronts and mid-latitude cyclones

         2. Thunderstorms and tornadoes

         3. Tropical systems including hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones

    C. Weather maps, radar imagery, and satellite images

IX. Weather Analysis

     A. Data acquisition and mapping  

     B. Forecasting models

X. Climate and Climate Change

    A. Classification models

    B. Global patterns

    C. Global, regional, and local climate change

XI. Air Pollution

     A. Types

    B. Sources

    C. Contributing factors and trends

XII. Optical Phenomena

     A. Nature of light

    B. Examples

Assignments:

1. Assigned readings (20-40 pages per week)

2. Homework and/or in-class assignments (5-20)

3. Quizzes (2-17)

4. Paper(s) and/or project(s) (1-5)

5. Exams (2-5)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 5 - 20%
Homework, paper(s) and/or project(s)
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 30%
Homework and/or in-class assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 50 - 80%
Exams, Quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology. 14th ed. Lutgens, Frederick, Tarbuck, Edward, Herman, Redina and Tasa, Dennis. Pearson. 2019

Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment. 13th ed. Ahrens, C. Donald and Henson, Books. Cengage Learning. 2022

Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere. 8th ed. Ahrens, C. Donald and Henson, Robert. Brooks and Cole. 2017 (classic)

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