ATMS 103 Introduction to Meteorology (3 hrs)
An informative study of the fundamentals of weather and current
issues related to global weather and climate. Designed for the
general student, this course satisfies the three-hour
interdisciplinary natural sciences general education requirement.
Atmospheric science majors may substitute ATMS 173 for ATMS 103.
(Students may not receive credit for both ATMS 103 and 173.) Fall and
Spring.
An introduction to meteorology and climatology with a laboratory. Topics include fundamentals of physical processes and weather systems, climatological principles, the historical role of weather and climate on modern society. This course satisfies the UNCA natural science laboratory requirement. A student enrolling in this course must also register for the corresponding laboratory course: ATMS 171. These courses (ATMS 171 and ATMS 173) are comparable to ATMS 105 listed in the University course catalog except that the recitation section has been removed. Lecture:3 hours; laboratory: 2 hours. Prerequisite: MATH 155 or equivalent. (Students may not receive credit for ATMS 103 or 105 and ATMS 173.)
Basic plotting of various weather codes, fundamentals of map
analysis, basic techniques of weather forecasting. Prerequisite:
ATMS 103, 105, 173, or permission of instructor. Fall.
Causes of spatial and temporal climate variation, with special
emphasis on energy and water balance regions of the earth and its
atmosphere. Consequences of anthropogenic climate change will be
explored. See department chair.
Basic FORTRAN 90 computer programming tailored for meteorological applications. Topics include algorithm development, program writing and execution, and data manipulation. Prerequisite: MATH 167 or equivalent. Spring.
An introductory lab course to study maps, physical geography and
climate. Co-requisites: ATMS 103, 105 or 173. Spring.
An introductory lab course to study fundamental meteorological
equations and applications of mathematics in meteorology.
Prerequisites: ATMS 103, 105, or 173; MATH 191. Spring.
An introductory lab course to familiarize students with computer
applications and meteorological software packages, such as McIDAS
and GEMPAK. Prerequisites: ATMS 103, 105, or 173; MATH 191. Spring.
A study of the gaseous composition of the earth's atmosphere, its
modification by radiative processes, and the application of the gas
laws to atmospheric statics. Prerequisites: ATMS 251, 261; PHYS
221. Co-requisite: MATH 192. Fall.
The study of motions in the earth's atmosphere in relation to the
forces acting upon the fluid. Equations of motion, circulation,
vorticity, divergence, viscosity, turbulence, and atmospheric energy
are explained. Prerequisite: ATMS 305. Spring.
Theory and application of radar and satellite remote sensing to
atmospheric sciences. Weather analysis, forecasting, and
climatological implications are approached. Prerequisites: ATMS 251,
261; PHYS 222. See department chair.
Study of atmospheric processes in the scale of 10 to 1000 km
including tornadoes, thunderstorms and tropical cyclones;
application of current data to mesoscale analysis and forecasting.
Prerequisite: ATMS 103, 105, or 173, or equivalent training. See
department chair.
The history, operation, and use of instruments that monitor the
atmosphere, with emphasis on practical applications. Prerequisites:
ATMS 103, 105, or 173, or equivalent training. See department chair.
ATMS 331 Principles of Air Pollution (ENVR 331) (3 hrs)
Sources, sinks, and controls of air pollution, legal aspects,
meteorological factors which influence air pollution. Prerequisites:
CHEM 111, 132 and one of the following: ATMS 103, 105, or 173, or ENVR
130. See department chair.
Study of the hydrologic cycle and component processes:
precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, snow melt, run off,
stream flow and ground water. Prerequisites: ATMS 103, 105, or 173; MATH
191. See department chair.
An introduction to tropical climatology, tropical cyclones,
observation techniques, tropical waves, ENSO, and connections between
the tropics and mid-latitudes. Corequisite: ATMS 305; or
permission of instructor. Even years Fall.
Study of the science and techniques of weather forecasting,
applications of map analysis and numerical guidance. Prerequisite:
ATMS 205. Spring.
Information technology skills in a Linux environment with emphasis on atmospheric science applications. HTML, Python, GrADS, CGI scripting, graphics, data manipulation. Prerequisites: ATMS 103 or 105; ATMS 230 or CSCI 201; or permission of instructor. Fall.
Study of the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its applications to meteorology, climatology, and hydrology. Spring.
Introduction to weather elements and local weather caused by topography. The course incorporates basic concepts of meteorology; weather observations; data, map, and statistical analysis; scientific writing; and public presentations to study mountain weather around the world. Irregular.
ATMS 381-383 Cooperative Education (1-3 hrs)
Majors with at least sophomore status may apply for part-time
positions at local firms dealing with meteorology. Prerequisite:
permission of department chair. May be repeated for a total of six
hours of credit. Fall and Spring.
Evaluation Form for Supervisor
Final Report Form for Students
Descriptive statistics, probability, exploratory data analysis,
empirical and theoretical probability distributions, hypothesis
testing, statistical weather forecasting, forecast verification, and
time series. Prerequisites: ATMS 251, 261; MATH 291. See department
chair.
A synthesis of the mathematical and analytical aspects of
meteorology designed to explain fundamental weather processes and
systems; practical application of the diagnostic and predictive
equations through the use of weather maps; topics include
upper-level systems and jet streams, and surface pressure systems.
Presentations in this course will prepare students for demonstrating
oral competency in the senior comprehensive examination.
Co-requisite: ATMS 305. Fall.
A continuation of ATMS 410, topics include frontal systems,
mid-latitude convective systems, tropical meteorology, numerical
weather prediction and oral competency. Prerequisite: ATMS 410;
Co-requisite: ATMS 310. Spring.
Application of climatological and statistical principles to
weather-sensitive fields such as agriculture, construction,
transportation and energy conservation. Prerequisite: ATMS 405. See
department chair.
Study of the physical processes of condensation, radiation, and
radiative transfer, atmospheric sound and light propagation,
atmospheric electrical phenomena and principles of weather
modification. Prerequisite: ATMS 305. Spring.
Writing and research strategies, particularly for meteorological
applications. Topics include literature reviews, critical reading, improving
writing practices, various types of scientific writings, and presentation
skills. Prerequisites: ATMS 103 or 105, and junior or senior standing.
Fall.
Participants travel to the Great Plains to forecast and observe severe weather.
Operations are based in Norman, Oklahoma, in the heart of
tornado alley and close to the location of the climatological
maximum in tornado frequency during mid-May. Norman is
the home of the National Weather Center, which houses twenty
NOAA and University of Oklahoma weather and climate
programs including the Storm Prediction Center, the National
Severe Storms Laboratory, and a National Weather Service
forecast office. Participants receive tours of these and many other facilities, including television studios and private companies, and hear prominent speakers discuss important aspects of severe weather forecasting, graduate school applications, and internship opportunities.
Prerequisite: ATMS 205 and application. Summer.
ATMS 490 Professional and Technical Internship (6 hrs)
Majors with a GPA of 3.0 or better within the major and at least
junior status may apply for a semester-long internship with a
participating host agency. May not take ATMS 381, 382, or 383 and
ATMS 490 concurrently. May not take more than 3 hours ATMS 381, 382,
or 383 in addition to ATMS 490. Prerequisite: permission of
department chair. Fall and Spring.
Evaluation Form for Supervisor
Final Report Form for Students
ATMS 499 Atmospheric Sciences Research (1-6 hrs)
Research and/or development in atmospheric science as approved by
the department leading to a written thesis. Prerequisite: permission
of a department mentor. Fall and Spring.
ATMS 171-3, 271-3, 371-3, 471-3 Special Topics in ATMS (1-3 hrs)
Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which
there may be special needs. May be repeated as often as permitted
and as subject matter changes. Prerequisite: permission of
instructor. See department chair.
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