GEO 103W - Introduction To Meteorology

1. Understand and describe basic physical processes demonstrated in the atmosphere.
   1. Describe the basic composition and vertical structure of the atmosphere.
   2. Contrast temperature versus heat.
   3. Describe the three processes of heat transfer and provide examples for each.
   4. Describe temperature and its impact on the human body.
   5. Describe water, its three states, and latent heat from changes of state.
   6. Describe humidity and its relationship to water vapor and temperature.
   7. Describe adiabatic temperature changes and its relationship to the buoyancy of air parcels.
   8. Define atmospheric stability and the three classifications of stability.
   9. Describe processes that can change atmospheric stability.
   10. Define four lifting processes for air parcels enabling cloud formation.
   11. Define the basic components of condensation and cloud formation.
   12. Define the general cloud classifications by level and vertical development.
   13. Define the various types and formation processes of fog.
   14. Describe the two basic processes for precipitation formation.
   15. Describe the various forms of precipitation and define the basic causes for each
   16. Define air pressure and define the changes of pressure with height.
   17. Define the pressure gradient force and its relationship to wind.
   18. Describe properties of light that influence various optical effects in the atmosphere.
   19. Describe the general factors contributing to rainbows and other optical phenomena in the atmosphere.
2. Understand and describe key atmospheric and global processes that contribute to weather.
   1. Describe the Earth-Sun relationship that define seasonal and diurnal weather changes.
   2. Describe solar and terrestrial radiation and how radiation is affected as it passes through the atmosphere.
   3. Describe the global heat budget and the importance of maintaining a heat equilibrium.
   4. Describe the set of control processes that define temperature variations as different locations on the earth.
   5. Describe the coriolis effect and its impact to wind and weather systems.
   6. Define the geostrophic wind model and how it relates to high-level winds.
   7. Contrast the forces acting on surface winds versus winds aloft.
   8. Describe wind flow around high and low pressure centers.
   9. Describe the general models for global wind circulation.
   10. Define various special forms of localized wind circulations.
   11. Define monsoon circulation and the intertropical convergence zone.
   12. Describe the jet stream and its significance.
   13. Describe the general global distribution of temperature and precipitation and its relationship to ocean and land mass patterns.
3. Understand and describe the Polar Front Theory that define weather systems.
   1. Define what an air mass and the attributes of air mass source regions.
   2. Define the general air masses that influence North America.
   3. Define what a front is.
   4. Describe the four significant types of fronts, their attributes, and weather typically associated with each type.
   5. Describe the wave cyclone model, the major stages of the wave cyclone life cycle, and typical movements of wave cyclones.
   6. Define the basic relationship between upper air flow and the development of wave cyclones.
   7. Define how the frontal zones and pressure centers described by the wave cyclone model contribute to local weather.
4. Understand special topics related to current global environmental issues and factors impacting the local weather of Michigan.
   1. Define the basic atmospheric processes influencing current environmental issues including global warming and ozone layer depletion.
   2. Define El Nino and its general impact on global weather.
   3. Describe factors leading to formation of lake effect snow and the factors of the Great Lakes and Michigan that contribute to its development in the state.
   4. Describe general attributes of Michigan's climate and atmospheric features that impact it.
   5. Describe general meteorological factors influencing