Editorially Revised 3-22-06
University Curriculum Committee
Course Proposal Form
for Courses Numbered 0001 – 4999
(Faculty Senate Resolution #04–18, April 2004)
Note: Before completing this form, please read the accompanying instructions
carefully.
GEOG 4570
1. Course Prefix and Number:
10/6/06
2. Date:
3. Requested Action (check only one box):
x
New Course
Revision of Active Course
Revision & Unbanking of a Banked Course
Renumbering of an Existing Course
from #
to
#
4. Justification for new course or course revision or renumbering:
 Satisfies American Meteorological Society’s curriculum recommendation
for coursework in applied/specialty meteorology topics.
 A high priority concern for the state is flooding. Course emphasizes the
prediction of freshwater flooding in eastern North Carolina.
 The enhancement of the instructional programs in atmospheric science
was one of the objectives identified in the Department of Geography’s
2006 strategic plan. The present course further serves as a synergistic
complement to the department’s existing expertise in geomorphology.
 This course further develops climate as a component to instructional and
research programs at ECU as described under Strategies for Distinction,
University Directions, 2000-2005, Goal 2, Objective 3.
 Data from assessment of student learning outcomes (e.g. senior exit
exam) shows deficiencies in the area of climate processes.
 Course offers interdisciplinary opportunities to students, especially in
Geology.
5. Course description exactly as it should appear in the next catalog:
GEOG 4570. Hydrometeorology (3) (S) May not count toward foundations
curriculum social science requirement. P: GEOG 2200, 2250; or consent of
instructor. Theory and observation of atmospheric processes as they relate to
surface hydrology. Emphasis on measurement, prediction, and climatology of
2
precipitation, evapotranspiration and associated hydrologic events, such as
flooding.
6. If this is a course revision, briefly describe the requested change:
7. Undergraduate Catalog Page Number from current undergraduate catalog:
388
8. The Writing Across the Curriculum Committee must approve Writing Intensive
(WI) credit for all courses prior to their consideration by the UCC. If WI credit is
requested, has this course been approved for Writing Intensive (WI) credit?
Yes
No
no
If Yes, will all sections be Writing Intensive (yes/no)?
Yes
No
9. Any course requesting Foundations Curriculum credit must be
reviewed by Academic Standards Committee prior to their consideration by
the UCC. If FC credit has been approved by the ASC, then check the
appropriate box (check at most one), otherwise leave all boxes blank.
English (EN)
Humanities (HU)
Fine Arts (FA)
Health (HL)
10. Course Credit:
Lecture
3
Hours
Science (SC)
Social Science (SO)
Mathematics (MA)
Exercise (EX)
Per
Term
Per
Lab
Weekly OR
Term
Per
Studio
Weekly OR
Term
Per
Practicum
Weekly OR
Term
Per
Internship
Weekly OR
Term
Other (e.g., independent study) Please explain.
Weekly
OR
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
3
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
3
Total Credit Hours 3
s.h.
11. Anticipated yearly student enrollment: 10-15
12. Affected Degrees or Academic Programs:
Current
Degree(s)/Course(s)
Catalog Page
13.
Changes in Degree Hours
Overlap or Duplication with Affected Units or Programs:
Not Applicable
x
Applicable (notification and responses from affected units are
attached)
14. Approval by the Council for Teacher Education (required for courses affecting
teacher education programs):
x
Not Applicable
Applicable (CTE has given its approval.)
15.
Statements of Support:
x
Current staff is adequate
Additional staff is needed (describe needs in the box below):
x
Current facilities are adequate
Additional facilities are needed (describe needs in the box below):
x
Initial library resources are adequate
Initial resources are needed (in the box below, give a brief
explanation and an estimate for the cost of acquisition of required
initial resources):
x
Unit computer resources are adequate
4
Additional unit computer resources are needed (in the box below,
give a brief explanation and an estimate for the cost of acquisition):
x
ITCS resources are not needed
The following ITCS resources are needed (put a check beside each
need):
Mainframe computer system
Statistical services
Network connections
Computer lab for students
Remember to forward email approval from the director of ITCS to
UCC.
16. Syllabus – please insert course syllabus below. You must include (a) the
name of the textbook chosen for the course, (b) the course objectives, (c) the
course content outline, and (d) the course assignments and grading plan.
GEOG 4570: HYDROMETEOROLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
a) Textbook
Required: Brutsaert, W., Hydrology: An Introduction, Cambridge Press, 2005. ISBN: 0-52182479-6
Recommended/Reference: Wallace, JM, and Hobbs, PV, Atmospheric Science, An
Introductory Survey, 2nd ed., Academic Press, 2006. ISBN: 0-12-732951-X.
b) Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to
 Explain the fundamental processes of water and energy budgets within and between the
atmosphere and the surface.
 Perform basic calculations and apply theoretically based formulas to estimate
hydrometeorologic fluxes.
 Compute and interpret statistical data of precipitation, evapotranspiration, and
streamflow, including depth, duration, frequency analyses and climatologies.
 Evaluate and discuss current research topics within the field of hydrometeorology,
demonstrated through literature reviews and class discussions
c) Course Content Outline
Topics to Be Covered:
1
Introduction to the field, review of basic hydrology and meteorology
2
Moisture and Energy Budgets
5
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Atmospheric Flow and Transport
Precipitation Processes
Precipitation measurement & climatology
Evapotranspiration: Theory and Process
ET measurement, estimation, and climatology
Watershed Characteristics: runoff and streamflow
Hydroclimatology and streamflow statistics
Statistical methods and frequency analyses in hydromet.
Hydrologic modeling in response to precipitation events
Hydrometeorology of Eastern Carolina
d) Course Assignments and Grading
The course evaluation will be based on assessing the student’s capability to interpret and apply
the concepts taught.
Homework Assignments (4) will be assigned to evaluate students understanding of theory and
concepts, and their ability to apply techniques to specific estimation or statistical problems.
Homework assignments are worth 10% each.
Mid-term Exams (2) consisting of short answer questions addressing theory and concepts, and
worked problems similar to homeworks. Exams are worth 15% each.
Journal Article Summaries and Class Participation: Students will read several current journal
articles on current research in hydrometeorology to supplement the text and lecture material.
Students will review each article in writing and the class will critically discuss the research in a
class session. Written summaries are worth 30% total.