Sep 20, 2026  
Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027 
    
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Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027

SCI 100 Meteorology

Credits: (3)
This is an introductory meteorology course designed to conceptually explore the principles and processes of weather. Students will study the fundamental principles of atmospheric structure and composition, radiation and energy as they relate to the Earth-Atmosphere system, air temperature, atmospheric moisture, and air pressure. The course investigates processes that cause fog, clouds, and precipitation. Students are provided with a detailed study of wind and pressure systems around the world, as well as middle latitude and tropical weather phenomena such as air masses, cyclones, tornadoes and hurricanes. Satisfies the science elective requirement of the Math/Science curriculum and also satisfies the science requirement of those curricula which require science. Three class hours or equivalent per week.

Designation(s): Liberal Arts

Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe the composition and vertical structure of atmosphere, especially within the troposphere and stratosphere. 
  2. Define solar and terrestrial radiation and describe the atmospheric processes involving them within the Earth-Atmosphere system, especially their relationship to air temperature.
  3. Explain the heat transfer processes that warm the lower atmosphere, especially the greenhouse effect.
  4. Describe the relationships between air temperature, water vapor, dew point temperature, and relative humidity.
  5. Compare and contrast the various types of fog, clouds, and weather satellites.
  6. Explain how clouds develop by understanding adiabatic processes, atmospheric stability, and mechanisms that cause the air to rise.
  7. Identify the processes and atmospheric conditions that form the various types of precipitation and describe how weather RADAR works.
  8. Describe the forces and their relationships that cause the wind to blow.
  9. List and explain the formation and features of winds like:  sea and land breezes, mountain and valley breezes, down-slope winds, and the monsoon wind system. 
  10. Identify and describe the features of the global circulation model and compare them to the real-world wind and pressure systems.
  11. List the characteristics of the various types of air masses and be able to explain the typical weather associated with them.
  12. Compare and contrast weather conditions associated with weather fronts.
  13. Describe the features and necessary formation conditions of middle latitude cyclones.
  14. Identify features and describe the necessary atmospheric ingredients for the formation of ordinary thunderstorms, severe thunderstorms, lightning, and other severe weather events, like derechoes and tornadoes.  
  15. List and explain the features and favorable conditions for the formation and sustainment of hurricanes and their associated hazards.