A non-mathematical introduction to the behavior of the atmosphere and its causes. Topics include atmospheric structure, earth-sun relationships, heat, humidity, clouds, wind, storms, forecasting, pollution, and climate. Offers students without scientific background an interesting look into the atmosphere and weather that surround them.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
The goal of this course is to, through the process of scientific investigation, instill in the general education student an appreciation of the processes occurring in our atmosphere and the physical principles that govern them.
- Atmospheric structure
- Earth-Sun relationships
- Heat and temperature
- Humidity
- Clouds
- Precipitation
- Wind
- Storms
- Weather forecasting
- Pollution
- Climate
Successful students will be able to:
- Identify and define the elements of weather and climate and describe their effects on weather and climate.
- Interpret and analyze atmospheric conditions.
- Analyze atmospheric data, and interpret it to make simple weather predictions.
- Analyze climatic data and interpret it to describe the climate of an area.
Meeting MACRAO requirements: Course transfers as an equivalent to similar courses at Eastern Michigan and as a general education science course at UM-Dearborn, Lawrence Tech and Wayne State.
Assessment and Requirements
- In class activities centered on the course concepts and their application; especially observation of elements of weather and climate leading to weather prediction and description of climates.
- Homework to review and reinforce lectures and reading on course topics.
- Examinations on course topics and their application.
Students will receive instruction on using the Internet to monitor weather, and gather weather and climate data.
Lutgens & Tarbuck, The Atmosphere
Outcomes
- Natural Sciences
- Scientific Reasoning
- Category 6: Natural Sciences (Lecture Only)