Discipline: Physical Sciences
GEG-Geography
 Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Physical Sciences 5


COURSE DESCRIPTION
5 Weather and Climate
Same as: GEG-Geography 5
 Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
The nature and causes of common meteorological phenomena, severe weather occurrences, and climatic patterns. Topics include: atmospheric structure, solar radiation and energy balances, atmospheric moisture, clouds and fog, air pressure, winds air masses and fronts, cyclones, tornadoes, hurricanes, weather forecasting, climate classification, and climate change. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
The nature and causes of common meteorological phenomena, severe weather occurrences, and climatic patterns.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Demonstrate knowledge of the elements that constitute weather
      and their basic interactions;

2.   Describe and explain the basic principles and geographic patterns of
      weather and climate;

3.   Explain the hydrologic cycle; how condensation happens and how it
      may lead to precipitation;

4.   Explain the geographic patterns of dry areas on Earth;

5.   Identify the various types of storms and atmospheric disturbances
      and their geographic patterns;

6.   Demonstrate basic skill in using forecasting methods;

7.   Discuss the evidence and implications of contemporary climate
      change.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Structure of the atmosphere
  2. Global energy budget
  3. Temperature
  4. Atmospheric optics
  5. Atmospheric moisture and humidity
  6. Atmospheric stability and instability
  7. Precipitation processes
  8. Wind and atmospheric circulation
  9. Air masses and storms
  10. Climate
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Classroom lectures and presentations about the elements that constitute weather and their basic interactions.
  • Seminar type instruction about the basic principles and geographic patterns of weather and climate.
  • Classroom discussions in order to develop understandings of the hydrologic cycle, how condensation happens, how it may lead to precipitation, and the reasons for dry areas.
  • Small group activities designed to learn how to identify various types of storms and atmospheric disturbances and their geographic patterns.
  • Screening of video presentations in order to develop in-depth knowledge of meteorological phenomena and climate change.
  • Guest lecturers to bring support for or alternative views of issues affecting the atmosphere.
  • Field trips to local weather stations to acquaint students with practical applications.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class participation, including oral reports, presentations, discussions that demonstrate knowledge of the elements that constitute weather and their basic interactions.
  • Class participation, including oral reports, presentations, in which students demonstrate understandings of the hydrologic cycle; how condensation happens, how it may lead to precipitation, and the reasons for dry areas.
  • Quizzes and examinations that test understanding of basic principles and geographic patterns of weather and climate.
  • Written reports in which students must identify and explain the various types of storms and atmospheric disturbances and their geographic patterns.
  • Written reports that demonstrate basic skill in using forecasting methods.
  • Formal essays about the evidence and implications of contemporary climate change.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Ahrens, C. Donald. Meteorology Today. 8 ed. any: Brooks/Cole, 2007.
  • American Meteorological Society. Online Weather Studies. 8 ed. any: AMS, 2007.
  • Aguado, Edward and Burt, James E.. Understanding Weather and Climate. 4 ed. any: Prentice-Hall, 2007.
  • Lutgens, Frederick K., et al.. The Atmosphere. 9 ed. any: Prentice-Hall, 2007.
04/07
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