MET1010 – Introduction to Weather and Climate.

 

Time and Location

Fall 2023 – Tuesday P3&4, Thursday P3 (3 credit hours)

Description and Goals

In this class we will learn the scientific fundamentals of Earth’s atmosphere and weather systems, and gain understanding of how Earth’s climate system operates. We will learn about energy balances, global and regional circulation, airmasses, fronts, and storms. We will discuss weather modeling and forecasting, and evaluate how Earth’s climate is changing.  Throughout, we will consider the impacts of weather and climate on society and the natural environment. 

The live version of this class is a general science class that aims to meet the basic requirements of an introductory meteorology course, while also appealing to a broader audience. If you’ve had an interest in weather and climate and want to know more, please consider this class. For more information on course content, exam and topic schedules, textbooks and other activities, please email me!

Course Content

• Atmospheric radiation budget and composition
• Energy and temperature
• Moisture and humidity
• Clouds and precipitation
• Wind and pressure
• Air masses, fronts, and jet streams
• Weather forecasting
• Mid-latitude & winter storms
• Weather in the tropics and at the poles
• Air pollution
• Thunderstorms and tornadoes
• Floods and drought
• Tropical cyclones
• Climate variability and change

Assignments

• Homework Quizzes (via canvas, approximately 6-8 in total)
• Homework activities (short individual assignments such as discussion posts, map analysis, short-answer questions)
• Participation (in-class, online)
• Exams (one mid term, one final)
• Individual project – “Weather Blog”

Student Profile

• Willingness to participate and work hard
• Interest in meteorology and climatology and/or a desire to enroll in UF Geography’s meteorology and climatology certificate.

For all other class-related content

elearning@ufl.edu

 

Course Syllabus (old): MET1010_Syllabus_update2021