In this course, freshmen meteorology students are introduced to the Meteorology program at the University of South Alabama and to the profession of meteorology in general, including career opportunities. The course will provide students with information about the curriculum and how to succeed in the major. They will be presented with information about scholarships, internships, and extracurricular activities such as working for the South Alabama Mesonet and undergraduate research opportunities. Guest lectures from meteorology faculty and professionals in the field will be included. Successful alumni will talk about their careers and how the Meteorology program at South helped them get there. The course will be interlaced with map discussions, field trips, and other hands-on weather-related activities. Student outputs will include several reflection paper assignments and a professional resume.

This course focuses on introducing the student to the basic concepts of meteorology. Major topics include the structure of our atmosphere, heat balance, meteorological measurements, atmospheric stability, atmospheric motion, and wind circulations on both the global and local scales. Other areas covered may include an introduction to air masses, fronts, and precipitation processes. The analysis of US Government weather charts is also introduced. Core course.

Laboratory exercises associated with MET 140.

In this course, broadcast meteorology students will learn how to build weather graphics using the Baron Lynx broadcast software system. The system is detailed, extensive, and powerful, but has a relatively steep learning curve. Knowing how to build a professional weather forecast show using the Baron software early in their curriculum, will allow broadcast meteorology students to focus on their on camera performance later in the curriculum. Knowing the details of building a professional show in Baron, will give students a huge advantage on the job market. This course will focus on the nuts and bolts of building a weather forecast show, on camera presenting and building a sound forecast are emphasized in other courses.

Tropical Weather Discussion is an introductory course in current or recently-active tropical weather systems. This course mainly reviews the structure, behavior, history and potential forecasts of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean basins from a meteorological perspective with special emphasis on activity in the Atlantic basin. The course is taught during the Fall Semester because it overlaps with the most active period of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Other tropical weather topics such as El Nino, La Nina, monsoon troughs, tropical upper-tropospheric troughs, Madden Julian Oscillation, and hurricane climatology are discussed during weeks of inactivity when no tropical cyclones may be occurring. This course may be repeated for credit up to two times for a total of three hours; however, the course may only count once toward a meteorology elective.

Analysis of weather phenomena and patterns on a global and local scale. Major topics include the heat balance, stability, precipitation processes, cyclonic activity, severe weather and forecasting techniques. Particular attention is devoted to the jet stream and its effect on surface weather.

A study of the causes, structure and impact of tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and severe weather systems (Identical to GEO 342).

An overall view of the field of meteorology for science majors and minors. This course uses a quantitative approach to study the composition of the atmosphere, atmospheric processes, global circulation, and storm development. Laboratory exercises pay particular attention to hands-on analysis of meteorological charts (identical to GEO 353.)

Laboratory exercises associated with MET 353. Particular attention is given to hands-on weather analysis of meteorological charts.

Dynamic meteorology is the study of atmospheric motions that control our weather and climate. Using fundamental laws of physics (fluid dynamics and thermodynamics), a set of mathematical equations that describe how the atmosphere behaves, is derived. These equations are too complex to solve analytically, but with certain assumptions they can be simplified so that approximate solutions can be found. Even though approximate, these solutions still give useful information about the current state of the atmosphere and its evolution into the future. The theories derived in dynamic meteorology underlie all forecasting rules and techniques. Thorough understanding of these theories is invaluable to becoming a skilled forecaster.

The circulation of the atmosphere and the structure of storms is quantitatively analyzed using equations of atmospheric flow. The jet stream, atmospheric waves, mid-latitude cyclones, and the concept of vorticity are given considerable attention.

A detailed investigation of adiabatic processes, thermodynamic diagrams, atmospheric stability, and precipitation processes. Additional topics include atmospheric composition and aerosols, radiation and electricity.

Design, calibration, use and maintenance of existing and newly developed meteorological instruments and instrumentation systems. Analysis of data collected by instruments and instrument systems.

This course is designed to give the student a three-fold introduction to weather radar and its value in the workplace. Basic radar principles and assumptions applicable to all radars are presented; the Doppler function and limitations are covered in depth with final emphasis on properly utilizing weather radar in an operations setting.

This course gives the students the basic skills necessary for broadcasting weather information on TV. This course will focus on the basic principles and techniques of effective TV weather broadcasting.

Analysis of meteorological charts. Provides additional preparation prior to Synoptic.

This course is an introduction to the weather satellite and its influence on meteorological observations and forecasting. Both radiative propagation theory and satellite interpretation of meteorological features will be covered extensively.

A course specifically designed for students minoring in Meteorology. Students are introduced to weather forecasting concepts and methods.

A course specifically designed for students minoring in Meteorology. Weather forecasting techniques are discussed with an emphasis on the use of meteorological models and severe weather forecasting.

This class is an introduction to reading meteorological journal and professional writings and to writing some of the standard scientific forms common in both operational and research meteorology: summaries, conference abstracts, and scientific journal articles. The students will engage in brief examination of some of the fundamental phenomena in the atmosphere through selected journal articles and write about these topics in an appropriate manner as inquisitive meteorologists.

An introduction to basic Python programming, with examples and exercises pertinent to Earth Science and GIS applications.

Assessment of mesoscale phenomena, including frontogenesis and frontolysis, low-level jet streams, nocturnal boundary layer wind maxima, sea and land breezes, gravity waves, dry lines, lake-effect snow, and deep moist convection. Emphasis on scale analysis, subsynoptic-scale dynamics, interactions with larger-scale processes, and case study examples.

Air Pollution Meteorology is a survey course in air pollution topics taught primarily from an atmospheric perspective. This course covers topics on air pollution history, methods of measuring air quality, sources of air pollution, basic atmospheric pollution dispersion concepts, basic principles of air pollution modeling and prediction, and an overview of the impacts of polluted air on human health and the environment.

This course presents an overview of meteorology in the tropics. The tropical realm is defined and the importance of solar radiation and distribution of temperature, moisture and precipitation in driving tropical weather systems is discussed. The general circulation in the tropics is explored along with seasonal and non-seasonal variations, including the Monsoon and El Nino/La Nina. Certain mesoscale and local circulations common to the tropics are also discussed. Several weeks will be spent investigating tropical cyclones.

Analysis of global climate as aggregate weather. Component elements, factors controlling distribution, resulting area patterns, and climatic classification are studied (identical to GEO 443). Fee

Principles of dynamic and physical meteorology are applied to current surface and upper air analyses of frontal cyclones. An emphasis is placed on forecasting techniques, daily weather discussions, continuity and analysis.

This course continues the development of principles learned in MET 454. Principles of atmospheric dynamics and conceptual models will be studied and employed through the use of surface and upper air analyses, satellite and radar data. A multi-week overview of numerical weather prediction principles and concepts will be accomplished along with the integration and interpretation of model guidance of actual modeling simulations using basic concepts of numerical weather prediction. Topics on mid-latitude cyclones and fronts will continue to be expanded beyond Synoptic I. Ensemble prediction and atmospheric oscillations will be discussed along with intrinsic predictability limitations. This course serves as the capstone class for meteorology majors.

Training in the application of climatology to solve real world problems. In addition to an examination of present day climate patterns, their causes, and mechanisms, the course focuses on the El Nino, recent and past climates, the natural and human impact on the Earth's energy balance, global warming, ozone hole and the chaos theory.

Meteorological topics not covered in current meteorology courses. May be repeated when content varies for a maximum of four hours. May require permission of instructor.

Departmental seminar investigating a special field of meteorology. (Topic announced prior to registration.) May be repeated when content varies for a maximum of eight hours. Requires permission of instructor.

Independent research in field, laboratory, or library under the direction of a member of the meteorology faculty. Prerequisite: Requires permission of instructor. May be taken for a total of eight hours.

Students will learn various aspects of mesonet (mesoscale weather station network) operation and maintenance. Students will take part in routine weather station site visits, emergency site visits when a sensor malfunctions, and quality control of incoming data. Once a year every weather station receives a complete retrofit where all sensors are replaced with freshly calibrated sensors. If such a retrofit occurs during the semester of a student?s internship, the student will be given the opportunity to take part in this process as well. A large component of this course will consist of field work. Depending on student schedules and mesonet behavior, time will also be spent in the lab performing manual data quality control using the USA Mesonet website.

On-the-job learning through occupational, professional, or research work with an approved firm, agency, or meteorology faculty member. Open only to meteorology majors. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.

This course focuses on introducing the student to the ever evolving technology in broadcast meteorology. Emphasis is placed on the application of meteorological data through the use of professional television weather graphics systems in order to develop a "weather story". Particular attention is given to the use of chroma key mechanics/techniques for public viewing.

This course focuses on communicating accurate forecasts and other important weather information to the public. Attention is given to fine-tuning the on-air weather presentation style, as well as developing a professional resume tape of weather shows in order to gain employment as a broadcast meteorologist. Special attention is given to severe weather cut-ins and accurately conveying severe weather threats to the public.

Topics in Air Pollution Meteorology is a graduate course on advanced air pollution topics taught primarily from an atmospheric perspective. This course provides an overview of "dry" meteorological processes, such as temperature, pressure, wind, and general circulation combined with topics on air pollution history, methods of measuring air quality, sources of air pollution, atmospheric pollution dispersion concepts, principles of air pollution modeling and prediction, and the impacts of polluted air on human health and the environment.

An in-depth course for advanced students in meteorology. Topics and titles will be selected to examine the subject matter in an area of current interest to students and in an area of particular faculty expertise. Includes specialized topics not currently listed in the Bulletin.

Graduate level independent study in Meteorology under the direction of a member of Meteorology's Graduate Faculty. Student must have an approved topic and must be accepted by a Graduate Faculty mentor before registering for this class. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.