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Physics PLUS with Specialty Area in Meteorology through the UW Department of Physics.
(307)766-6150
Dr. Alfred Rodi, Head, Atmospheric Science
Dr. Paul Johnson, Head, Physics Department See the following websites: |
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The weather has a critical impact on everyone's daily life. Detailed
meteorological knowledge, coupled with a strong physics background will
prepare you for a career in such diverse areas as agricultural planning,
tourism programs, disaster prediction and relief, aviation security, and
environmental monitoring. Physics PLUS will equip you with the tools you
need to build a strong career.
A student would satisfy the core course requirements of the Physics program (102 hours of basic math, physics, chemistry, and other courses required for all undergraduate programs at the University, see below) and also the 27 hours of work need in meteorology.
The Meteorology requirement includes 27 hours of meteorology taught by the faculty of the Department of Atmospheric Science. The table (below) lists the courses by their catalog designation (ATSC) and number, title, credits and the course topic area defined as:
Students preparing for strictly technological careers and hence want heavily technological undergraduate educations,
may select the physics plus curriculum. This program enables students to concentrate in physics, mathematics and an elected technical area with some sacrifice in the breadth of general education. For the major requirements, a student
must take PHYS 1210 or 1310, 1220 or 1320, 2310, 2320, 3650, 4210, 4310, 4410, 4510 and 4650; MATH 2200, 2205,
2210, 2250, 2310 or 4430, and 4440; CHEM 1020 and 1030; ES 1060; and a coherent program of 27 credits in an
elected technical area. Examples of an elected technical area could be an area involving additional physics and
mathematics; physics, mathematics and astronomy; engineering; biological sciences; chemistry; computer science;
mathematics; geophysics; atmospheric science; economics; business; education or technical writing. Further details
are available from the department's website. In all, the degree requires 129 credits for graduation. Students electing this
program should have firmly established interests and long range goals.
2000. Introduction to Meteorology.
(4 hours). [S3] First course in meteorology for students with minimal background in math and science. Provides general and practical understanding of weather phenomena. Emphasizes observational aspects of the science, meteorological view of the physical world and the impact the science has on life and society. Includes three hours of lecture and one laboratory per week. Includes atmospheric composition and structure, radiation, winds and horizontal forces, stability and vertical motions, general circulation, synoptic meteorology, clouds and precipitation, severe storms and atmospheric optics.2100. Atmospheric Change (3 hours) Composition and Climate. 3. Introduces non-specialists to a broad overview of global, regional and local atmospheric impacts of mankind's activities and natural phenomena, and their consequences. Includes global warming and potential for climate change, atmospheric ozone depletion, acid rain, urban air pollution and problem alleviating mitigating strategies.
4010. Atmospheric Processes (3 hours) Studies radiation and heat balance; dry and moist thermodynamics; motion and driving forces; energy exchanges, characteristics of atmosphere and their applications to engineering, agriculture, aviation and other environmental sciences. Emphasizes weather and climate in mountain and western plains regions. Prerequisites: MATH 2210 and PHYS 1220 or ES 2310.
5000. Physical Meteorology I. (4 hours) Solar and terrestrial radiation, heat transfer and the energy budget of the Earth-atmosphere system, the laws of thermodynamics with emphasis on their application to atmospheric processes. Atmospheric statics, thermodynamics of dry and moist air, and atmospheric convective processes. Prerequisites: senior or graduate standing in physical science or engineering.
5010. Physical Meteorology II. (3 hours) Propagation of electromagnetic energy in the atmosphere; radiative transfers; refraction and scattering (Rayleigh & Mie regimes); visibility; optical phenomena; radar equation. Microphysics of clouds; stable and unstable phase transitions; cloud droplet and ice crystal nucleation and growth; precipitation ormation by coalescence and accretion; atmospheric electricity; mechanisms of charge generation and separation in thunderstorms. See ATSC 5020. Prerequisites: ATSC 5000 or consent of instructor.
5020. Physical Meteorology Lab. (1 hour) A laboratory course concerned with physical processes in the atmosphere. Approximately eight experiments are conducted examining phenomena related to atmospheric radiation, gas expansions, phase transitions, and nucleation. Prerequisites: concurrent enrollment in ATSC 5010.
5100. Atmospheric Dynamics I. (4 hours) Development and interpretation of the atmospheric equations of motion, scales of motion, horizontal atmospheric winds, thermal wind equation, circulation and vorticity. Quasi-geostrophic motion. Fundamentally unbalanced motions. Prerequisites: senior or graduate standing in physical science or engineering.
5150. Weather Analysis (2 hours) Access to meteorological data including surface, upper air, and satellite data. Construction and analysis of surface and upper air charts. Interpretation of satellite data, cloud and air mass classification, and introduction to weather radar. Prerequisites: senior or graduate standing in physical science
or engineering.5160. Synoptic Meteorology. (3 hours) Structure and evolution of the extratropical cyclone; identification and development of fronts, jet streams and associated weather features; theories of cyclogenesis; role of topography. Climatology of formation and movement of cyclone. Mesoscale circulation features; ingredients of severe
weather. Prerequisites: ATSC 5100, 5150.5170. Synoptic Meteorology Laboratory. (1 hour) Emphasis on map and case-study analysis. Features of large scale weather systems; mesoscale and local weather processes including orographic influences; local circulations and convection. Design and interpretation of National Meteorological Center numerical forecast models. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in ATSC 5160.
5180. Weather Briefings. (1 hour) Real-time application of basic dynamic, thermodynamic and microphysical principles in the identification and prediction of weather features. Emphasis is placed on oral diagnostic weather discussion and forecast presentation. Prerequisites: ATSC 5160 or consent of instructor.
5190. Advanced Weather Briefings. (1 hour) Detailed synthesis of dynamic, thermodynamic and microphysical principles in relation to current weather. Emphasis on quantitative interpretation of the various hydrodynamic equations which characterize the behavior and forcing of weather patterns. Oral discussion and forecast.
Prerequisites: ATSC 5180.5310. Atmospheric Dynamics II. (3 hours) Introduction to the dynamic energetics of the atmosphere, wave motions, atmospheric instabilities to numerical modeling, applications. Prerequisite: ATSC 5100.
Course Requirements and Electives:
|
Course |
Title |
Cre- |
|
Topic |
Topic |
|
Number |
[(*)=Required] |
dits |
Prerequisites |
I |
II |
|
ATSC 2000 |
(*)Introduction to Meteorology |
4 |
None |
||
|
ATSC 2100 |
(*)Atmospheric Change: |
3 |
None |
||
|
Composition and Climate |
|
||||
|
ATSC 4010 |
(*)Atmospheric Processes. |
3 |
MATH 2210 and PHYS 1220 or ES 2310. |
||
| ATSC 4330 | Intro. to Micrometeorology |
3 |
MATH 2200 and PHYS 1110 and 1120 or 1310 and 1320, plus BOT 4400 or 4700 or REWM 4540. | ||
|
ATSC 5000. |
(*)Physical Meteorology I. |
4 |
Senior or graduate standing in physical |
||
|
|
|
physical science or engineering. |
|||
|
ATSC 5010 |
Physical Meteorology II. |
3 |
ATSC 5000 |
||
|
ATSC 5020 |
Physical Meteorology Lab |
1 |
Concurrent enrollment in ATSC 5010 |
||
|
ATSC 5100. |
(*)Atmospheric Dynamics I |
4 |
Senior or graduate standing in |
4 |
|
|
|
physical science or engineering. |
||||
|
ATSC 5150. |
(*)Weather Analysis. 2. |
2 |
Senior or graduate standing in |
|
2 |
|
|
physical science or engineering. |
||||
|
ATSC 5160. |
(*)Synoptic Meteorology. 3. |
3 |
ATSC 5100, 5150 |
3 |
|
|
ATSC 5170. |
(*)Synoptic Meteorology Laboratory |
1 |
Concurrent enrollment in ATSC 5060 |
1 |
|
|
ATSC 5180 |
Weather Briefings |
1 |
ATSC 5160 or consent of instructor |
||
|
ATSC 5190 |
Advanced Weather Briefings |
1 |
ATSC 5180 |
||
|
ATSC 5310 |
(*)Atmospheric Dynamics II |
3 |
ATSC 5100 |
3 |
|
|
Total Available |
33 |
6 |
|||
|
(*)Required |
27 |
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