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.
1. Course Prefix and Number: GEOG 4550
2. Date:
10/26/07
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:
New Title and Description to reflect that course is the 2 nd in two course sequence
(thus, requires a new prerequisite of new course), and the emphasis on applied
nature of the course. Requiring as a prerequisite new course on Principles of
Synoptic Meteorology will better prepare students in GEOG 4550, and allow the class
to focus on providing market-demanded technical skills in analyses and forecasting.
5. Course description exactly as it should appear in the next catalog:
4550. Applied Synoptic Meteorology: Analyses and Forecasting (3) (S) P: GEOG 3550; or consent
of instructor. Current techniques in mid-latitude weather analyses and forecasting, including chart
analyses, introduction to computer meteorological analyses and visualization, numerical weather
prediction, and forecast discussion, development, and evaluation.
6. If this is a course revision, briefly describe the requested change:
This revises current 4550 course title and description to reflect the emphasis on
techniques and forecasting, and includes as a pre-requisite the new Principles of
Synoptic Meteorology course.
7. Undergraduate Catalog Page Number from current undergraduate catalog:
137,139,397
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?
2
Yes
No
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
Credit
3
Term Hours
Per
Credit
Lab
Weekly OR
Term Hours
Per
Credit
Studio
Weekly OR
Term Hours
Per
Credit
Practicum
Weekly OR
Term Hours
Per
Credit
Internship
Weekly OR
Term Hours
Other (e.g., independent study) Please explain.
Total Credit Hours 3
Weekly
OR
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
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
3
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
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 4550: APPLIED SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY: ANALYSES AND FORECASTING
COURSE SYLLABUS
4
Course Description:
 This class exposes students to current weather analyses and forecasting techniques, developed from
synoptic theories and concepts covered in Principles of Synoptic (GEOG 3550).
 This course is an elective course for the atmospheric science certificate
 This course uses non-calculus based treatments of theory, statistical methods of prediction, and computer
analyses and visualization skills.
Prerequisites: GEOG 3550 or consent of instructor.
Texts: Weather Forecasting Handbook, 5th Edition, Tim Vasquez, Weather Graphics Technologies, 2001.
ISBN 0-9706840-2-9
Weather Map Handbook, 1st Edition, Tim Vasquez, Weather Graphics Technologies, 2003.
ISBN 0-9706840-4-5
Course Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to
 Perform Graphical Manual Analyses of meteorological fields.
 Access and interpret readily available real time weather data and model resources
 Interpret satellite and radar weather imagery
 Identify large scale weather patterns on a surface weather chart, based on the Bergeron system.
 Construct and evaluate vertical atmospheric profiles.
 Construct analyses and charts using standard software (WINGRIDDS)
 Explain the fundamentals of numerical weather prediction
 Synthesize available information to create a plausible weather forecast
 Produce a weather briefing product for specific applications or clients
Assignments & Grading:
Grading Elements: Exercises: 30 pts, Wx Briefing/Forecast Challenge 15 pts, Midterm Exam 15 pts, Final
Exam 20 pts.
Grading Scale: 100-90 Pts: A, 80-89 Points: B, 70-79 Points: C, 60-69 Points: D, below 59: F
Analyses Exercises (6) will be assigned to evaluate students understanding of specific techniques introduced in
class, and their ability to apply these to specific problems or atmospheric conditions. Homework assignments will be
assigned approximately every two weeks.
Participation in Weather Briefing (ongoing) Students will produce weekly weather briefing and participate in
WXchallenge, the online collegiate forecasting contest. Participation in these activities is worth 20%.
Midterm Exam: will cover approximately ½ of course topics (analyses topics) and will be similar in form to
homework problems.
Final Exam: The final exam will consist of applying forecasting techniques learned in class to forecast given a
specific set of atmospheric conditions. Grading of the exam will be based on your ability to demonstrate proficient
analyses skills and interpretation in creating a plausible forecast..
Topics to Be Covered: (1-2 weeks each topic)
1
Review of basic synoptic topics
2
Manual Interpretation of Scalar Fields
3
Interpretation of Satellite and Radar Imagery
4
Analyses of Surface Weather Charts: Modified Bergeron System
5
Cross Sectional and Sounding Analyses
6
Fronts and Jets analyses
***MIDTERM EXAM***
7
Introduction to Numerical Wx Analyses (using WIN-GRIDDS)
8
Overview Synoptic Forecasting Methods
9
Numerical Weather Prediction
10
Statistical Forecasting Techniques (MOS, Perfect prog)
11
Mesoscale/ Severe Weather Forecasts