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Course Descriptions

Meteorology course descriptions can be found in the and below.

Please note that upper division courses are not offered every semester.Ìý Please work with an advisor to create a graduation plan.ÌýÌý

MTRÌý1400 – Weather and Climate

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):Ìý±·´Ç²Ô±ð

Description:ÌýThis course introduces the fundamental physical processes in the atmosphere–heat and energy, temperature, pressure, wind, clouds, precipitation, and stability. These concepts provide the basis for understanding weather systems, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. These processes are also applied to climatic patterns and the impacts of human activity on weather and climate, such as air pollution and climate change. An optional 1-credit lab course,ÌýMTR2020 Weather and Climate Lab for Scientists, is available for students interested in additional experience in the measurement and analysis of atmospheric data, and is required for some science programs.

General Studies:ÌýNatural and Physical Sciences

Guaranteed Transfer:Ìý³Ò°Õ-³§°ä2

Instructors: ÌýNg, Glancy, Spears, Chapman, Wagner, Schuenemann, Goldenstern, Walker

Semesters Taught: Ìýfall, spring, summer. ÌýOnline available.

Required for MTR Majors, MTR Minors,ÌýClimate Change Minor

 

MTRÌý1600 – Global Climate Change

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):Ìý±·´Ç²Ô±ð

Description:ÌýThis course presents the science behind global climate change from an Earth systems and atmospheric science perspective.Ìý These concepts then provide the basis to explore the effect of global warming on regions throughout the world.Ìý This leads to the analysis of the observed and predicted impacts of climate change on these regions; the effect of these changes on each region’s society, culture, and economy; and the efforts of these regions to mitigate or adapt to climate change.Ìý The interdependence of all nations will be discussed in regards to fossil fuel-rich regions, regions responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, and regions most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

General Studies:ÌýNatural and Physical Sciences, Global Diversity

Instructors: ÌýSchuenemann, Goldenstern, Blomberg, Roberson, Wagner, Chapman, and others

Semesters Taught: Ìýfall, spring, summer. ÌýOnline available.

Elective for MTR minors, Required for Climate Change Minor

 

MTRÌý2020 – Weather and Climate Lab for Scientists

Credits:Ìý1

Prerequisite(s): Algebra or higher

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s):ÌýMTR 1400 (take it at the same time or take MTR 1400 first)

Description:ÌýStudents are introduced to the basic measurements, calculations and analysis made in the study of atmospheric science. Meteorological lab work in the course includes surface and upper-air charts, thermodynamic diagrams, weather codes, and weather imagery. Students analyze and display weather data in multiple formats, using both traditional hand analysis and using computer analysis and display software. Skills developed include basic UNIX commands and programming logic.

Instructors:Ìý Schuenemann

Semesters Taught:Ìý Usually in the fall

Required for MTR Majors, MTR Minors, optional for Computer Science and Data Science majors.

 

MTR 2040 – Computer Applications for Meteorology

Credits: 1

Note:Ìý This course became MTR 3040 Programming for Meteorologists in 2024 (3 credits)

 

MTRÌý2410 – Weather Observing Systems

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTRÌý2020

Description:ÌýThis course provides a survey of the instruments and instrument systems used in operational and research meteorology. The theory of instrument measurement and error, operating principles, and method of operation of surface- and upper-air sensors, as well as radar and satellites, will be presented. The lab component of the course will involve the theory, use, calibration, and maintenance of instruments and the analysis and interpretation of the observations.

Instructors: ÌýLandolt

Required for MTR major, elective for MTR minor

 

MTR 3000 – Weather Discussion

Credits: 1 (repeatable up to 4 credits)

Prerequisite(s): MTR 1400 Weather and Climate or AES 1400 Aviation Weather

Description: In this interactive weather discussion course, students will participate in weekly weather discussions on recent, present, and future weather.ÌýStudents will become familiar with weather patterns and learn to create weather forecasts through the discussion and interpretation of radar data, satellite animations, weather observations,ÌýandÌýforecasting models.

Instructors:Ìý Schuenemann, Ng

Required for students on 2024-2025 catalogs and forward, but subsequent repeats of this course up to 4 times will be logged as meteorology electives. This is a meteorology elective for students on previous catalogs repeatable up to 4 times.

 

MTR 3040 – Computer Programming for Meteorologists

Credits: 3 (with lab)

Prerequisite(s): MTR 1400 and MTR 2020 are required.Ìý MTH 2520 R Programming, MTH 2540 Scientific Computing with Python, or CS 1050 are recommended prerequisites.

Description: Students are introduced to the computer programming language Python, the modern language used in the atmospheric sciences.ÌýThe course contentÌýfocuses onÌýspecific applications to meteorology, including basic universal programming concepts.ÌýStudents learn to load, manipulate, and analyze meteorological data of various formats, and visualize itÌýthroughÌýgraphs andÌýmaps.ÌýStudents become familiar with a variety of python tools for these tasks while practicing these concepts in a lab setting.

Instructors:Ìý Becker

Required for students on the 2022-2023 and forward catalogs.Ìý This course replaces MTR 2040, but please note the credit difference of 1 to 3.Ìý If this isn’t required on a student’s older catalog, it is counted as a meteorology elective.ÌýÌý

 

MTR/ENVÌý3100 – Air Pollution

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýENV 1200 orÌýMTRÌý2020

Description:ÌýThis course examines the causes and control of air pollution. Topics include pollutant sources and sinks, regional and global-scale pollution problems, monitoring and sampling techniques, regulatory control, meteorological influences, and indoor air quality.

Instructors:Ìý Wagner

Elective for MTR major, MTR minor, environmental science elective

 

MTR/GEGÌý3330 – Climatology

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTR 1400 or GEG 1100, and completion of quantitative literacy requirement

Description:ÌýClimatology examines the characteristics, distribution, and causes of global and regional climate. Physical and dynamic mechanisms of climate are emphasized. The course also explores the spatial and temporal distributions of the main climate elements. Climate change topics include paleoclimatology, observed shifts in climate, climate model projections, and potential impacts of global warming.

Instructors:Ìý Schuenemann

Required for MTR Major, elective for MTR Minor, required for Climate Change Minor, elective for Geography majors and minors.

 

MTR/ENV 3340 – Climate Change Science

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s): MTR 1600 or GEG 1100 or ENV 1200 or GEL 1010 or GEL 1150 or MTR 1400

Description: This course examines the physical mechanisms of climate change through an integrative earth systems science lens. These processes explain many of the observed changes within the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere of the planet. Aspects of dynamic climate change include movement of energy through the Earth system, atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and hydrologic and carbon cycles. This understanding is applied to interpreting climate model projections, with keen attention to climate sensitivity, time scales of changes, and sources of uncertainty in climate prediction. An understanding of the physical processes driving climate models facilitates an examination of climate change impacts on natural and societal systems.

Instructors:Ìý Schuenemann

Required for Climate Change Minor, elective for MTR Major and Minor, elective for Environmental Science programs.

 

MTRÌý3400 – Synoptic Meteorology

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTRÌý2020

Description:ÌýThis course presents a descriptive approach to the structure and behavior of mid-latitude, synoptic-scale weather systems. Primary topics include the physics of synoptic-scale air motion, the role of synoptic weather systems in the general circulation, jet streams, airmasses, fronts, and the application of these to cyclones and anticyclones. Elementary quasi-geostrophic theory and weather forecasting are introduced.

Instructors: ÌýNg

Required for MTR Major, MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3410 – Weather Analysis Techniques

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTRÌý3400

Description:ÌýThis is a course in interpretation, understanding, and analysis of weather data, focusing on conventional surface and upper-air data and use of these data in current weather diagnostics. Topics include traditional hand analysis of surface and upper-air weather maps, spatial and temporal cross-sections, thermodynamic diagrams, meso-analyses, and prognostic charts. These topics form the foundation for correct and efficient use of modern computer analysis. This is an essential course for operational and applied research meteorologists.

Instructors: ÌýNg

Required for MTR major, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3420 – Radar and Satellite Meteorology

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTRÌý2020Ìýand MTH 1110 College Algebra or higher

Description:ÌýThis course provides a physics-based study of the uses of radar and satellites and their application to various meteorological problems. Basic theories of radar and satellites will be applied to the interpretation and analysis of various radar and satellite products. The lab component focuses on the interpretation of radar and satellite imagery using computer display software.

Instructors:Ìý Goldenstern, Ng

RequiredÌýfor MTR major 2021 and onward, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3430 – Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s): MTH 1410 (calc 1), PHY 2010 or PHY 2311 (college or general physics), MTR 2020 (intro lab)

Description:ÌýThis course covers classical thermodynamics and its application to atmospheric processes.Ìý Main topics include the equation of state, first and second laws of thermodynamics, adiabatic processes of dry and moist air, stability, thermodynamic diagrams, thermodynamic variables, and convection.

Instructors:Ìý Goldenstern, Wagner

Required for MTR major, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3440 – Physical Meteorology

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTH 2410, PHY 2311, PHY 2321, andÌýMTRÌý2020

Description:ÌýThis course is an application of classical physics to common processes in the atmosphere. Main topics include cloud and precipitation physics, atmospheric radiation, radiative transfer, lightning, optical phenomena and weather modification.

Instructors:Ìý Goldenstern, Wagner

Required for old MTR major, required for professional concentration, elective for applied concentration, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3450 – Dynamic Meteorology

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s): MTR 2020 Weather and Climate Lab, MTH 2410 Calculus II, PHY 2311 General Physics I

Description:ÌýThis course covers the fundamentals of fluid dynamics necessary for understanding large-scale atmospheric motions. The focus of the course is the development, derivation, and analysis of the laws of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, as they apply to middle latitude, synoptic scale weather systems.

Instructors: ÌýSchuenemann

Required for old MTR major, required for professional concentration, elective for applied concentration, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3500 – Hazardous Weather

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTRÌý1400Ìýor AES 1400; and completion of General Studies requirements in Written Communication

Description:ÌýThis course considers the nature and causes of hazardous weather, the predictability of hazardous weather events, and the economic and societal impacts of these events. The strategies for the protection of life and property from hazardous weather are also considered.

Instructors: ÌýLandolt, Wagner, Ng

Elective for old MTR major, required for applied concentration, elective for professional concentration, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3710 – Meteorology Internship

Credits:Ìý3-6

Prerequisite(s): Registration with the C2Hub Internship Program.

Description:ÌýThis course provides an on-the-job internship experience with a meteorology-related company or agency. The experience must be done under qualified supervision and the auspices of an Earth and Atmospheric Sciences faculty member.

Note:ÌýThis course may be repeated for up to 12 credits; the first enrollment must be a minimum of 3 credits.

Instructors:ÌýÌýusually the current department chair

Elective for MTR major, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý3777 – Field Observations of Severe Weather

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTRÌý2410 andÌýMTRÌý3410

Description:ÌýThis field-based course is intended to combine classroom theories with actual field observations. Students are required to meet for an one-hour course on safety and expectations before the start of the class. The course will concentrate severe weather field observations across Central and High-Plains. Overnight stay will be necessary due to the ever-changing nature of weather patterns. Additional course fee is required. Students are responsible to pay for the outside incidentals, such as food and drinks.

Instructors:Ìý Landolt, Schwartz, Ng

Semesters Taught:Ìý some Maymesters

Elective for MTR major, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý4210 – Forecasting Laboratory

Credits:Ìý1

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTRÌý3410

Description:ÌýThis is a laboratory course in which the principles of synoptic meteorology and weather computer technology are used in developing a weather forecast. Students are introduced to computerized weather data access, display, and analysis using meteorological software applications. Students learn to use surface and upper-air data, satellite and radar imagery, numerical model output, and other weather data in the preparation of weather forecasts. Principles of weather briefing and forecast decision making are also introduced.

Instructors: ÌýNg, Schuenemann

Elective for MTR major, elective for MTR minor, may be repeated up to 4 times.

 

MTRÌý4400 – Advanced Synoptic Meteorology

Credits:Ìý4

Prerequisite(s): MTR 2410 Weather Observing Systems, MTR 3410 Weather Analysis Techniques, MTR 3450 Dynamics

Description:ÌýThis course is a calculus-based examination of the three-dimensional structure of mid-latitude, synoptic scale weather systems. Main topics include quasi-geostrophic theory, extratropical cyclone structure and evolution, diagnosis of vertical motions, jet streams, and frontogenesis. The lab component involves the hand analysis and computer-based analysis of live, forecasted, and archived weather data.

Instructors: ÌýSchuenemann

Required for professional concentration, elective for applied concentration, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý4500 – Mesometeorology

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s):ÌýMTR 3410 Weather Analysis Techniques and MTH 1410 Calculus I

Description:ÌýThis is an advanced course in recognizing, understanding, and forecasting mesoscale weather events (severe thunderstorms, hailstorms, tornadoes, downslope windstorms, flash floods, snowstorms, etc.) with emphasis on theory, analysis of weather data, and forecast decision making.

Instructors: ÌýNg

Required for professional concentration, elective for applied concentration, elective for MTR minor

 

MTRÌý4600 –ÌýMeteorology Research Seminar

Credits:Ìý3

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): Senior Standing and 12 upper division(3000+) meteorology credits (Please see advisor if you need to take this before you have achieved the prerequisites)

Description:ÌýThis is aÌýcapstone course required of all meteorology majors. StudentsÌýengage in a research project that involves the application of scientific methodology to meteorological or climatological data and problem solving. Students learn to do literature searches, create a problem statement, handle data, perform statistical analysis, and present dataÌýand results. Technical writing and oral presentation skills are emphasized.

University Requirement(s):ÌýSenior Experience

Instructors:Ìý Landolt, Ng, Wagner, Schuenemann

Required for MTR major