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ATMO200 is the new version of MET 200 which is the introductory course for Atmospheric Science
majors and a required course for the Global Environmental Science majors. Pre-requisites are MATH 241
and PHYS 170. With permission of the professor other situations may be granted.
The class is designed to introduce the student to fundamental concepts that govern the atmosphere
and the basic features seen on a wide range of length scales. Weather maps are regularly shown and
some forecasting techniques are discussed. The text is Meteorology Today by C. D. Ahrens. This
hardback book serves as a reference for many of the topics we shall discuss in the lectures, but the
lectures will not necessarily be derived from the book. Instead, the lectures are designed to equip the
student with a more sophisticated approach to the fundamentals. Equations will be used regularly and
there will be exercises attached to each topic that highlight important aspects and give the student the
chance to work with the concepts. On several days we will examine the weather maps and apply
concepts that have been introduced.
The grade will be based on two quizzes (each 20%), the exercises (20%), in class participation (10%)
and a final (30%). Topics in their approximate order follow. Note that this is a redesigned class being
taught for the first time and therefore subject to significant changes as we proceed.