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Course Search
Current catalog year: 2023-2024
Important Notice:
  • Course descriptions are intended for unofficial use only. Consult your catalog for the official listing.
  • Anticipated course availability reflects current plans but actual offerings may change because of factors unknown at planning time. Consult the schedule of classes for final offerings.
  • Sample syllabi are provided for planning purposes only. The syllabus used by an instructor may vary from this sample.
  • Please ask your advisor if you have any questions about a course.
Atmospheric Science [change]
View courses offered:
ATMS 1001 - Introduction To The Atmosphere - 3 hrs.
An introduction to the science of meteorology with an emphasis on the physical processes working within weather systems. Global climate change and air pollution. Policy implications of meteorology and climate research.
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ATMS 1002 - Introduction To Severe Weather - 3 hrs.
Introduction to basic meteorology, forecasting, and societal impacts of severe and hazardous weather. Phenomena studied include hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, lighting, winter storms, floods and drought.
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ATMS 1003 - Basic Meteorology Laboratory I - 1 hrs.
A laboratory course designed to expose students to basic uses of meteorological data from the surface, upper air, radars, and satellites. Topics include surface and upper-air map analysis, fronts and cyclones, and severe weather.
Anticipated availability:   |   more»
ATMS 1004 - Basic Meteorology Laboratory Ii - 1 hrs.
A laboratory course designed to expose students to basics of climatology. Topics include atmospheric elements, the earth's energy balance, climate regions, and global climate change. Prerequisite: Credit or registration in ATMS 1003.
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ATMS 1006 - Introduction To Climate Change - 3 hrs.
An introduction to the Earth's Climate and components of the climate system. Topics include the Earth system, past climates, natural and anthropogenic climate change.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 1025 - Introduction To Forecasting Lab - 1 hrs.
A laboratory course designed to expose students to basic weather forecasting techniques. Prerequisites: Credit in ATMS 1003.
ATMS 2000 - Weather Analysis And Forecasting - 2 hrs.
Introduction to short-range weather prediction and scalar analysis practices at the synoptic, regional, and local scale. Weather observing techniques; temperature and precipitation forecasting concepts and practice; weather map analysis and discussions; numerical guidance; soundings and stability. Prerequisite; ATMS 1003, MATH 1013.
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ATMS 2005 - General Meteorology - 3 hrs.
Structure of the earth's atmosphere, distribution of temperature and precipitation, composition of the atmosphere, extratropical synoptic scale disturbances, introduction to thermodynamics, clouds and storms. Prerequisites: Credit in ATMS 1003 and MATH 1013.
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ATMS 3000 - Computer Applications In Atmospheric Science - 3 hrs.
This course will provide an introduction to computer programming with applications specifically tailored to the student who seeks a career in Atmospheric Science or Meteorology. Topics covered include basic use of Linux and basic to advanced programming techniques in languages commonly used in Atmospheric Science (e.g., IDL and/or Python). Prerequisites: ATMS 2005 or permission of instructor
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ATMS 3003 - Atmospheric Thermodynamics - 3 hrs.
Introduction to classical and statistical thermodynamics as it applies to dry and moist atmospheric phenomena. Ideal Gas Law, First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics. Thermodynamic potentials and diagrams. Moisture variables. Prerequisites: ATMS 2005, and credit or registration in MATH 1031 and PHYS 2007.
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ATMS 3005 - Dynamic Meteorology - 3 hrs.
Introduction to atmospheric kinematics, dynamics, and coordinate systems. Fundamental forces; equations of motion; scale analysis; mass conservation; geostrophic and thermal winds, idealized flows; circulation and vorticity. Prerequisites: PHYS 2007, MATH 1032, and a grade of "C" or better in ATMS 3003.
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ATMS 3006 - Dynamic Meteorology Ii - 3 hrs.
Application in kinematics, dynamics, and thermodynamics in diagnosing synoptic-scale weather systems. Quasi-geostrophic theory; cyclogenesis and frontogenesis; jet dynamics, linear perturbation theory; atmospheric waves, baroclinic instability. Prerequisites: C or better in 3003 and 3005.
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ATMS 3007 - Meteorology Lab - 1 hrs.
Two hours of laboratory to accompany 3005. The application of techniques, charts and diagrams in the analysis and study of meteorological practices and phenomena. Prerequisites: ATMS 2005 and credit or registration in ATMS 3005.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 3008 - Meteorology Laboratory - 1 hrs.
Two hours of laboratory to accompany 3006. The application of techniques, charts and diagrams in the analysis and study of meteorological practices and phenomena. Prerequisites: ATMS 2005 and credit or registration in ATMS 3006.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 3010 - Fundamentals Of Climatic Analysis - 3 hrs.
Fundamentals of the tabulation and analysis of climatic data, including computer data processing and statistical methods. Prerequisites: ATMS 2005.
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ATMS 3015 - Physical Meteorology - 3 hrs.
Introduction to physical principles underlying atmospheric radiation, cloud physics and precipitation processes. Prerequisite: ATMS 3003 and PHYS 2008.
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ATMS 3020 - Meterology Seminar - 1 to 4 hrs.
Discussion and application of weather forecasting theories and techniques to current weather situations. Leading and participating in forecast map discussions. Forecast verification. Prerequisites: Credit or registration in ATMS 2000 and ATMS 2005.
ATMS 3025 - Intermediate Weather Forecasting - 2 hrs.
May be repeated for up to 4 hours of credit.
Discussion and application of weather forecasting. Students will analyze and forecast the weather in each class, with the instructor providing guidance and stimulating discussion of forecast issues and techniques. (2 cr; maximum 8 cr; however only 4 cr count toward degree). Prerequisite(s): ATMS 2000 or permission of instructor
ATMS 3050 - Special Topics In Operational Meterology - 3 hrs.
Provides the students with work experience at a National Weather Service Forecast Office. Grade of CR (Credit) or NC (No Credit) will be awarded. Prerequisites: ATMS 3003, and credit or registration in ATMS 3005.
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ATMS 3060 - Human And Atmosphere Interaction - 3 hrs.
An interdisciplinary course that serves as the atmospheric sciences and University Capstone. Projects focus on anthropogenic impacts on and interaction with the atmosphere or impacts of the atmosphere on humans. Prerequisites: All core curriculum courses, ATMS 2005, and junior standing.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 4000 - Field Studies Of Convection - 6 hrs.
Field observation of deep moist convection and its associated phenomena. Course fee required. Prerequisites: credit in ATMS 3025 or approval of instructor.
ATMS 4003 - Synoptic Meteorology Laboratory - 4 hrs.
Application of dynamics and thermodynamics to weather analysis and forecasting theory and practice with an emphasis on communication skills. Thermodynamic diagrams; analysis of scalar and vector fields; synoptic-scale weather systems; numerical weather prediction. Prerequisites: C or better in ATMS 3005.
ATMS 4004 - Mesoscale Meteorology - 3 hrs.
Application of dynamics, thermodynamics, and forecasting techniques in diagnosing the organization of mesoscale and convective phenomena. Mesoscale instabilities; air mass boundaries; boundary layer dynamics; low-level jets; severe thunderstorms; tornadoes; mesoscale convective systems; mountain waves. Prerequisites: ATMS 3006 and ATMS 4003.
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ATMS 4006 - Radar Meteorology - 3 hrs.
Principles of radar theory, hardware, operations, and analysis. Doppler and polarimetric weather radar; precipitation estimation; hydrometeor identification; analyses of convective and mesoscale phenomena. Prerequisites: ATMS 2000, ATMS 2005 and PHYS 2008.
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ATMS 4007 - Meteorological Instrumentation And Data - 3 hrs.
A survey of the characteristics of meteorological instrumentation and techniques for machine (computer) processing meteorological data. Introduction to remote sensing techniques employing meteorological satellites and weather radar. Prerequisites: ATMS 3003 and PHYS 2008.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 4008 - Satellite Meteorology - 3 hrs.
An overview of satellite remote sensing and its applications. The various characteristics and importance of various satellite sensors will be described, and an introduction to satellite image enhancement techniques and classification methodologies will also be provided. Prerequisite(s): ATMS 2005 and PHYS 2008 or ATMS 3000.
ATMS 4009 - Severe Storms - 3 hrs.
An introduction to the dynamic and thermodynamic structure of severe local storms, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail storms and a survey of techniques for forecasting the occurrence and movement of these storms. Prerequisites: ATMS 3006 and 3015.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 4011 - Tropical Meteorology - 3 hrs.
An examination of the structure and dynamics of the tropical atmosphere. Convection in the tropics, tropical cyclones (hurricanes) and an introduction to monsoon circulation. Prerequisites: PHYS 2007 and credit or registration in ATMS 3003.
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ATMS 4015 - Micrometeorology - 3 hrs.
Introduction to the physical processes in the atmospheric surface boundary layer. Influence of low level atmospheric turbulence on the diffusion of heat, water vapor (evaporation), and atmospheric pollutants. Prerequisites: ATMS 3006 and 3015.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 4020 - Numerical Modeling Of The Atmosphere - 3 hrs.
Introduction to atmospheric numerical modeling including an overview of the governing equations, their simplifications, and how they are coded in models.
ATMS 4050 - Atmospheric Pollution - 3 hrs.
A study of elements, effects and meteorology of air pollution including the "Greenhouse" effect, acid rain, and ozone depletion problems. Air pollution modeling and prediction is also covered. Prerequisites: Completion of freshman mathematics requirements and CHEM 1007.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 4060 - Meteorology For Teachers - 3 hrs.
A non-mathematical introduction to meteorology designed for elementary and secondary school science teachers. The courses are a blend of lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on work and are designed to be taken in sequence (4060-4061). The courses cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements in Atmospheric Science. Prerequisite: MATH 1011.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.
ATMS 4061 - Meteorology For Teachers - 3 hrs.
A non-mathematical introduction to meteorology designed for elementary and secondary school science teachers. The courses are a blend of lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on work and are designed to be taken in sequence (4060-4061). The courses cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements in Atmospheric Science. Prerequisite: ATMS 4060.
Anticipated availability: This course may be offered as needed.