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