11/23/2024 2:03:14 AM	METRO 10L Course Outline as of Summer 2021	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  METRO 10L	Title:  WEATHER AND CLIMATE LAB
Full Title:  Weather and Climate Lab
Last Reviewed:8/26/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.00	Lecture Scheduled	0		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	0
Minimum	1.00	Lab Scheduled	3.00		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	52.50
		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:  0.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 52.50

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 10L
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Hands-on lab activities exploring weather and climate phenomena. This class is the lab component for Introduction to Weather and Climate (METRO 10). Emphasis is placed on analysis and interpretation of weather reports, forecasts, surface weather maps, upper level air charts, satellite and radar imagery, and other remotely sensed data. Climate classification and climate data will also be included.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion or Current Enrollment in MTER 10 ( or METRO 10)

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Hands-on lab activities exploring weather and climate phenomena. This class is the lab component for Introduction to Weather and Climate (METRO 10). Emphasis is placed on analysis and interpretation of weather reports, forecasts, surface weather maps, upper level air charts, satellite and radar imagery, and other remotely sensed data. Climate classification and climate data will also be included.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Course Completion or Current Enrollment in MTER 10 ( or METRO 10)
Recommended:
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:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B3	Laboratory Activity		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	5C	Fulfills Lab Requirement		Fall 1981
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

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

1.  Apply scientific techniques to meteorology and climatology.   

2.  Locate, analyze and interpret weather data and maps.   

3.  Compare and contrast weather forecasting methods.  

4.  Explain how geography affects weather and climate patterns.

 

Objectives:

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

1. Conduct experiments and analyze data related to temperature, density, humidity, and other

    weather elements.  

2. Examine, construct, and decode station data.  

3. Interpret satellite imagery and radar returns.  

4. Analyze and decipher weather maps.

5. Differentiate and critique forecasting methods.

6. Describe how geographical features influence weather.

7. Classify and differentiate climates.

Topics and Scope

I. Geography of North America

    A. Place names

     B. Geographical features

II. Meteorological Data

     A. Weather elements

          1. Air temperature

         2. Air pressure

         3. Air density   

          4. Wind

          5. Humidity

         6. Clouds

         7. Precipitation

         8. Visibility

     B. Measurement scales  

     C. Data analysis

III. Earth-Sun Relationships and Seasonality

IV. Atmosphere

     A. Composition

    B. Vertical structure

V. Surface Weather Maps

    A. Station models

    B. Isopleths

     C. Fronts       

VI. Upper Air Charts

VII. Atmospheric Data Collection

    A. Satellite imagery

    B. Surface radar

    C. Weather balloons

     D. Other remote sensing devices

VIII. Forecasting

    A. Methods

     B. Accuracy and reliability

     C. Common uses and applications

IX. Weather Services

    A. Sources

         1. National Weather Service and other governmental agencies

          2. Private services

    B. Source reliability

X. Climate

    A. Classification

    B. Climate change

Assignments:

1. Assigned readings (5-20 pages per week)

2. Written assignments (1 - 2)

3. Lab exercises (10-17)

4. Quizzes (5-17)

5. Exams (1-4)

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 - 10%
Written assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 30 - 60%
Lab exercises
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 30 - 60%
Quizzes, exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Participation and attendance

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Weather Studies Investigations Manual. American Meteorological Society. Current edition

Laboratory Exercises for Elements of Weather. 3rd ed. Stampone, Mary. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. 2017

Exercises for Weather and Climate. 9th ed. Carbone, Greg. Pearson. 2016

 

Instructor prepared materials

Print PDF