METEO 002
(GN)
OUR CHANGING ATMOSPHERE: PERSONAL AND SOCIETAL CONSEQUENCES
( 3)
A survey of meteorology emphasizing how the nature of our lives,
individually/societally, depends upon atmospheric structure, quality,
and processes.
METEO 003
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Nontechnical treatment of fundamentals of modern meteorology and the effects
of weather and climate. A student who took METEO 002 may take the laboratory
part of this course for 1 credit only.
METEO 004
(GN)
WEATHER AND RISK
( 3)
Non-technical introduction to the science and historical development of
meteorology, and the role of weather forecasting as a tool for risk
management by individuals, businesses, and societies.
METEO 022
THE OCEANS
( 2)
A survey of oceanic properties and processes, with emphasis on the mechanisms
of tides, waves, and ocean currents.
METEO 101
(GN)
UNDERSTANDING WEATHER FORECASTING
( 3)
Fundamental principles of synoptic and physical meteorology, satellite and
radar imagery, and data analysis in the setting of mid-latitude weather
forecasting.
METEO 122
(GN)
(AGECO)
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT: GROWING IN THE WIND
( 3)
Students will learn about the effect of weather on plants, animals, and
humans.
METEO 200A
INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER ANALYSIS I
( 1.5)
Introduction to the collection, display, and application of weather
observations used by the operational meteorologist. Students who have passed
METEO 201 may not schedule this course for credit.
METEO 200B
INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER ANALYSIS II
( 1.5)
Introduction to the collection, display, and application of numerical weather
forecasts used by the operational meteorologist. Students who have passed MET
EO 201 may not schedule this course for credit.
Prerequisite: METEO 200A
METEO 201
INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER ANALYSIS
( 3)
Introduction to the collection, display, and application of weather
observations and numerical forecasts used by the operational meteorologists.
Students who have passed both METEO 200A and 200B may not schedule this course
for credit.
METEO 241
FUNDAMENTALS OF TROPICAL FORECASTING
( 3)
Applying atmospheric principles to the tropics, with an emphasis on the
development, structure, prediction and destructive impact of hurricanes.
Prerequisite: METEO 101
METEO 296
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
( 1 -18)
METEO 297
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
METEO 300
SURVEY OF ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
( 3)
Survey of atmospheric processes ranging from global to microscale.
Prerequisite:
or concurrent:
MATH 230
or
MATH 231
;
PHYS 211
METEO 361
FUNDAMENTALS OF MESOSCALE WEATHER FORECASTING
( 3)
Applying atmospheric principles to small-scale weather systems, with an
emphasis on the conceptual modeling and short-range prediction of severe
thunderstorms.
Prerequisite: METEO 101
METEO 410
ADVANCED TOPICS IN WEATHER FORECASTING
( 3)
Exploring highly specialized topics and techniques in weather forecasting
that span from mesoscale to planetary spatial scales and short-term to long-
range time scales.
Prerequisite: METEO 101
,
METEO 241
,
METEO 361
METEO 411
SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY LABORATORY
( 4)
Techniques of analyzing synoptic scale weather situations; introduction to
weather forecasting.
Prerequisite: METEO 101
or
METEO 200A
and
METEO 200B
or
METEO 201
;
MATH 230
or
MATH 231
Prerequisite or concurrent:
METEO 421
and
METEO 431
METEO 412
SYNOPTIC APPLICATIONS OF DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY
( 4)
Study of development and structure of large-scale weather systems and fronts.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
;
METEO 422
METEO 413
MAP ANALYSIS
( 3)
Analysis of actual surface weather observations, with emphasis on the
Norwegian cyclone model, missing or bad data, and mesoscale phenomena.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
METEO 414
MESOSCALE METEOROLOGY
( 4)
A survey of conceptual models and analysis techniques for mesoscale
atmospheric features.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
METEO 415
FORECASTING PRACTICUM
( 3)
Modern techniques in weather analysis and forecasting.
Prerequisite:
or concurrent:
METEO 414
METEO 416
ADVANCED FORECASTING
( 3)
Competitive, simulated, operational, real-time forecasting is covered.
Prerequisite: METEO 414
,
METEO 415
METEO 417
HYDROMETEOROLOGY
( 3)
Theory and application of precipitation meteorology, hydrology, and regional
forecast planning; control of the hydrometeorological system and its societal
effects.
Prerequisite: METEO 414
METEO 418W
TOPICS IN MESOSCALE METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Topics in mesoscale meteorology will be investigated in an independent study
environment through computer-based modules, papers, and semester project.
Prerequisite: METEO 414
METEO 421
DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY I
( 4)
Kinematics, balanced and unbalanced flows, vorticity and potential vorticity,
and introduction to the boundary layer and numerical weather prediction.
Prerequisite: MATH 230
or
MATH 231
;
METEO 300
prerequisite or concurrent:
METEO 431
METEO 422
DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY II
( 4)
Generalized vertical coordinate systems, vorticity and theory applications,
conservation principles and energetics, quasi-geostrophic processes, boundary
layer dynamics.
Prerequisite: METEO 421
METEO 431
ATMOSPHERIC THERMODYNAMICS
( 3)
Classical thermodynamics applied to both the dry and the moist atmosphere.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
METEO 434
RADAR METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Fundamental operating principles of radars, with application to observation of
meteorological phenomena.
Prerequisite: METEO 437
Concurrent: METEO 414
METEO 436
ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS I
( 3)
Elements of earth-sun geometry, radiative transfer, photochemistry, remote
sensing of the atmosphere, physical climatology, climate forcing.
Prerequisite:
or concurrent:
METEO 431
METEO 437
ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS II
( 3)
Properties of aerosols and clouds, cloud nucleation and precipitation
processes, atmospheric electricity, cloud and precipitation chemistry,
biogeochemical cycles.
Prerequisite: METEO 431
METEO 440W
PRINCIPLES OF ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENTS
( 3)
Theory and practices used in measurement and analysis of meteorological
variables.
Prerequisite: METEO 300
,
METEO 431
,
STAT 301
or
STAT 401
or
ENNEC 472
METEO 445
LABORATORY IN ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS I
( 1)
Measurement practices, data analysis and management, radiometry lidars and
radars, trace gas measurements.
Prerequisite:
or concurrent:
METEO 436
METEO 446
LABORATORY IN ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS II
( 1)
Experimental practices in cloud and aerosol physics, atmospheric electricity,
atmospheric chemistry, radar meteorology.
Prerequisite:
or concurrent:
METEO 437
METEO 448
STORMWATER HYDROLOGY
( 3)
Relationship between surface runoff, rainfall and water chemistry during
rainfall events for the purpose of assessing urbanization, non-point source
contamination.
METEO 451
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
( 3)
Air-sea interaction, wind-driven and thermohaline circulations, upwelling,
El Nino, waves, and tides.
Prerequisite: METEO 421
METEO 452
TROPICAL METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Atmospheric processes in the tropics; mass, heat, energy, momentum, and water
vapor budgets, cumulus convection, hurricanes and other disturbances.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
,
METEO 421
METEO 454
INTRODUCTION TO MICROMETEOROLOGY
( 3)
Physical processes and their measurement in the lowest layers of the
atmosphere; application to hydrology, plant systems, and air pollution.
Prerequisite: METEO 421
and
METEO 431
or
EGEE 301
METEO 455
ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION
( 3)
The basic principles of atmospheric flow, introduction to the modeling of
turbulent diffusion, and the use of EPA dispersion models.
Prerequisite: EGEE 301
,
C E 360
,
M E 320
,
METEO 454
,
METEO 456
, or
EGEE 470
METEO 456
ENVIRONMENTAL METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Atmospheric processes and phenomena relevant to the environmental sciences
and engineering, including boundary layer meteorology and air pollution
dispersion.
Prerequisite: C E 360
,
MATSC 401
METEO 460
WEATHER RISK AND FINANCIAL MARKETS
( 3)
This course will introduce the role that weather plays as a source of
financial and operational risk for businesses, market and other institutions.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
;
ENNEC 472
;
EM SC 301
or
EM SC 473
METEO 465
MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE METEOROLOGY
( 3)
A topical survey of physical, chemical, and dynamical processes at work in
the stratosphere and mesosphere (middle atmosphere).
Prerequisite: METEO 421
,
METEO 431
METEO 466
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
( 3)
A survey of planetary atmospheres and the chemical and physical processes by
which they form and evolve.
Prerequisite: MATH 141
,
PHYS 211
METEO 470
CLIMATE DYNAMICS
( 3)
The fundamental principles that govern Earth's climate and their relevance to
past and future climate change.
Prerequisite: METEO 300
,
METEO 421
,
METEO 431
Concurrent: METEO 436
METEO 471W
OBSERVING METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA
( 3)
Teaching the observational and interpretative skills needed to read the sky.
Prerequisite: METEO 421
. Prerequisite or concurrent:
METEO 436
METEO 472W
TOPICS IN CLIMATOLOGY
( 3)
Selected topics of current interest in physical and dynamic climatology and
climatic change.
Concurrent: METEO 300
METEO 473
APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS TO METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Application of statistical and numerical methods to practical problems in
meteorology.
Prerequisite: CMPSC 101
,
CMPSC 201
, or
CMPSC 202
METEO 474
COMPUTER METHODS OF METEOROLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING
( 3)
Distribution of scalars and vectors; sampling; regression and correlation in
two and three dimensions; time series, statistical forecasting; forecast
verification.
Prerequisite: STAT 301
or
STAT 401
or
ENNEC 472
METEO 475W
(GEOSC)
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
( 3)
The study of Earth's major global biogeochemical cycles (carbon, oxygen,
nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur) in the context of the climate system.
Prerequisite: MATH 110
and
MATH 111
, or
MATH 140
and
MATH 141
, and
CHEM 110
METEO 476
ATMOSPHERIC NATURAL DISASTERS SEMINAR
( 2)
Survey of naturally occurring, catastrophic meteorological events, including
severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, aviation hazards, floods, and severe winter
storms.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
Concurrent: METEO 414
METEO 477
(E E)
FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS
( 3)
The review of fundamental physical properties leads into discussions of
various techniques, including imaging, spectroscopy, radiometry, and active
sensing.
Prerequisite: E E 330
or
METEO 436
METEO 480W
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
( 3)
A research thesis will be prepared. A written and oral presentation required.
Prerequisite:
junior or senior standing as a Meteorology Major
METEO 481
WEATHER COMMUNICATIONS I
( 3)
Multi-instructor weather communications survey including forecasting, science
teaching and writing, television and radio broadcasting, climate studies,
forensics, industrial applications.
Prerequisite: METEO 201
or
METEO 101
METEO 482
WEATHER COMMUNICATIONS II
( 3)
Multi-instructor workshop designed to mimic real-life applications of weather
communications in industry, broadcasting, the courtroom, and the classroom.
Prerequisite: METEO 481
METEO 483
WEATHER COMMUNICATIONS III
( 3)
Individualized course designed for in-depth study of weather communications
in industry, broadcasting, the courtroom and/or the classroom.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
,
METEO 482
METEO 484
WEATHER COMMUNICATIONS APPRENTICESHIP
( 3)
Mentor-led course that focuses on a specific issue of problem in weather
communications related to broadcasting, climate or industry.
Prerequisite: METEO 481
,
METEO 482
and
METEO 483
METEO 485
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OPERATIONS
( 2 - 3 per semester)
Joint instruction with lead personnel from the State College National
Weather Service Office on a variety of operational weather topics.
Prerequisite:
prerequisite or concurrent:
METEO 481
,
METEO 415
METEO 486
PENNSYLVANIA CLIMATE STUDIES
( 1 - 3 per semester)
An overview of the Pennsylvania State Climate Office and an introduction
to various aspects of its operations.
Prerequisite: METEO 101
METEO 491
JOINT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MAP DISCUSSION
( 1)
Students evaluate and discuss real-time, regional and local weather conditions
and forecasts with University instructors and National Weather Service
forecasters.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
,
METEO 415
Concurrent: METEO 414
METEO 496
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
( 1 -18)
METEO 497
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
METEO 498
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
METEO 501
ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA
( 3)
Overview of the complex interactions within the atmosphere, ranging from
molecular to global scale.
METEO 512
SYNOPTIC APPLICATIONS OF DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Graduate version of topics covered in METEO 412.
Prerequisite: METEO 411
or
METEO 411H
;
METEO 422
METEO 516
MESOSCALE FORECASTING
( 3)
Competitive, simulated, operational, real-time forecasting is covered.
Prerequisite: METEO 414
or
METEO 415
METEO 520
GEOPHYSICAL FLUID DYNAMICS
( 3)
An introduction to the mathematical description and modeling of atmospheric
and oceanic motions.
METEO 521
DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY
( 3)
An overview of the major large-scale atmospheric motions of weather and
climate.
Prerequisite: METEO 520
METEO 523
MODELING THE CLIMATE SYSTEM
( 3)
An introduction to the mathematical description and modeling of atmospheric
and oceanic motions.
METEO 526
NUMERICAL WEATHER PREDICTION
( 3)
Finite difference and spectral methods, barotropic and baroclinic models,
filtered and primitive equation models, synoptic-scale and mesoscale models.
Prerequisite: METEO 422
or
METEO 522
METEO 527
ATMOSPHERIC WAVE MOTION
( 3)
From classical and physical hydrodynamics to the numerical prediction of wave
motion in a baroclinic atmosphere.
Prerequisite: METEO 521
METEO 529
MESOSCALE DYNAMICS
( 3)
A survey of concepts of mesocale systems including frontogenesis, symmetric
instability, mountain waves, wave CISK, and frontal waves.
Prerequisite: METEO 521
METEO 532
CHEMISTRY OF THE ATMOSPHERE
( 3)
Review of chemical principles in gaseous and multiphase environments;
characteristics of key atmospheric components and chemical systems in the
lower and middle atmosphere.
Prerequisite: CHEM 110
METEO 533
CLOUD PHYSICS
( 3)
Overview of cloud systems; theories of phase changes in clouds and micro-
physical mechanisms of precipitation formation; cloud electrification.
Prerequisite: METEO 431
METEO 535
RADIATIVE TRANSFER
( 3)
Fundamentals of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter;
radiation and climate, atmospheric remote sensing, and observable atmospheric
optical phenomena.
METEO 537
RADAR METEOROLOGY
( 3)
Weather radar principles; single- and dual-Doppler radar analysis techniques;
multiparameter (dual polarization, dual wavelength) radar analysis; intro-
duction to NEXRAD.
Prerequisite: METEO 421
,
PHYS 204
METEO 538
ATMOSPHERIC CONVECTION
( 3)
Properties of shallow and deep atmospheric convection and interactions
between convection, the boundary layer, and larger-scale weather systems.
METEO 554
ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE
( 3)
An introduction to the physics, structure, modeling, representation, and
measurement of atmospheric turbulence.
Prerequisite: METEO 520
METEO 555
ATMOSPHERIC DIFFUSION
( 3)
The theory of molecular and turbulent diffusion; experiments, theory, and
practical implications of air pollution problems.
Prerequisite: METEO 520
METEO 563
BIOCLIMATOLOGY
( 3)
Climatic phenomena in their relation to life.
METEO 565
PHYSICS OF THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE
( 3)
Graduate version of material that is covered in METEO 465.
Prerequisite: METEO 421
,
METEO 431
METEO 574
ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS SEMINAR
( 1 - 3 per semester, maximum of15)
A weekly seminar course that focuses on current and past research problems in
dynamic meteorology and oceanography.
METEO 575
CLIMATE DYNAMICS SEMINAR
( 1 - 3 per semester, maximum of15)
Review of evolving climate dynamics and earth system science, including
ongoing departmental research.
METEO 580
COMMUNICATION OF METEOROLOGICAL RESEARCH
( 1)
Methods for effective written and oral presentation of meteorological research
are reviewed.
METEO 581
TOPICS IN ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
( 1 - 3 per semester, maximum of15)
Discussion of recent research papers in, and concepts pertinent to, acidic
deposition, photochemical air pollution, and global chemical budgets.
METEO 582
ICE AND SNOW PHYSICS
( 1 - 3 per semester, maximum of15)
Structure of ice and its electrical, optical, mechanical, and surface
properties; snow formation in the atmosphere.
METEO 587
TOPICS IN ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS
( 1 - 3 per semester, maximum of15)
Seminar discussion of physical processes in the atmosphere including cloud
life cycles, radiative transfer, remote sensing, and hydrologic cylce.
METEO 588
(GEOSC)
OCEANS AND CLIMATE SEMINAR
( 2)
A focussed discussion on some aspect of the ocean's role in the climate
system. Theme to vary from semester to semester.
METEO 590
COLLOQUIUM
( 1 - 3)
Continuing seminars which consist of a series of individual lectures by
faculty, students, or outside speakers.
METEO 596
INDIVIDUAL STUDIES
( 1 - 9)
Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an
individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
METEO 597
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
METEO 801
UNDERSTANDING WEATHER FORECASTING FOR EDUCATORS
( 3)
Effective Date: S12008
Fundamental principles of synoptic and physical meteorology, remote sensing
and data analysis in the setting of mid-latitude weather forecasting.
METEO 802
FUNDAMENTALS OF TROPICAL FORECASTING FOR EDUCATORS
( 3)
Effective Date: S12008
Applying atmospheric principles to the tropics, with an emphasis on the
development, structure, prediction, and descructive impact of hurricanes.
Prerequisite: METEO 801
METEO 803
FUNDAMENTALS OF MESOSCALE WEATHER FORECASTING FOR EDUCATORS
( 3)
Effective Date: S12008
Applying atmospheric principles to small-scale weather systems, with an
emphasis on the conceptual modeling and short-range prediction of severe
thunderstorms.
Prerequisite: METEO 801
METEO 804
SPECIAL TOPICS IN WEATHER FORECASTING FOR EDUCATORS