Oxnard College GEOG R103 - GEOG R103 COURSE OUTLINE

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I. course identification and justification:A. PROPOSED COURSE ID: GEOG R103 BANNER TITLE: Intro to Weather and ClimateB. REASON(S) COURSE IS OFFERED:C. REASON(S) FOR CURRENT OUTLINE REVISION:II. catalog information:A. UNITS: Current: 3B. WEEKLY MEETING HOURS:C. PREREQUISITES, COREQUISITES, ADVISORIES, AND LIMITATIONS ON ENROLLMENT:1. PREREQUISITES: Current: None2. COREQUISITES: Current: None3. ADVISORIES: Current: None4. LIMITATIONS ON ENROLLMENT: Current: NoneD. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:E. SCHEDULE DESCRIPTION:F. FEES:G. FIELD TRIPS:H. REPEATABILITY:I. CREDIT BASIS:J. CREDIT BY EXAM:III. COURSE OBJECTIVES:A. Explain the behavior of the atmosphere in terms of thermodynamics; hydrostatic forces, the gas laws; and the energy balance of the earth/atmosphere systemB. Recognize how the dynamics of wind and precipitation can develop into severe weather, environmental hazards, such as: tornadoes, hurricane, and thunderstormsC. Analyze the basic principles and processes of weather forecasting; using instrumentation, weather maps, and satellite imageryD. Analyze the human processes that influence global warming and the world’s changing climateIV. COURSE CONTENT:A. Introduction to the atmosphere’s composition and structureB. Review the “hole in the ozone layer” phenomenonC. Earth/sun relationship1. Solar radiation2. Heat energy balanceD. Air pressure and winds1. Behavior of gases2. Forces governing wind3. Gradient, geo-strophic and boundary layer windsE. Atmospheric moisture1. Water vapor measurement2. Water phase changes3. Clouds4. Fog5. Forms of precipitationF. Characteristics of atmospheric stability and instabilityG. Extra-tropical weather1. Air mass behavior2. Wave cyclone phases3. Jet streamsH. Tropical weather1. ITCZ (inter-tropical convergence zone)2. Tropical depressions3. Easterly wavesI. Causes of severe weather1. Hurricanes2. Typhoons3. TornadoesJ. California weather1. Major influences2. El Nino effectK. Climatic change1. Paleoclimatology2. Dating techniques3. Theories4. Climatic predictionL. Effects of human induced air pollution and air qualityM. Weather forecasting1. Numerical prediction2. Satellite imagery3. Weather modificationN. Applied meteorology1. Agriculture2. Fire weather3. Transportation4. Building climatology5. Human healthV. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:A. In-class problem solving where students work together on word problems, such as: how to calculate the adiabatic rate of cooling in the atmosphere, or how to measure relative humidity in a parcel of air. These exercises would emphasize the applications and review the basic elements of weatherB. Students participate in small groups to select and present a current event on one of the global themes dealing with the human impact on the world’s changing climateC. A field trip to the NOAA weather station in Oxnard to observe the state-of-the-art technology used in weather forecasting, such as: the national Doppler network which tracks severe weather, and issues warnings based on their potential to produce tornadoesD. Visual aids, question and answer periods will be utilizedVI. METHODS OF EVALUATION AND ASSIGNMENTS:A. METHODS OF EVALUATION FOR DEGREE-APPLICABLE COURSES:B. TYPICAL GRADED ASSIGNMENTS (METHODS OF EVALUATION):1. Student assignment is to generate a daily journal, at least four days of data, of a hurricane using Internet sources of satellite photos and computer generated tracking maps that would show the path of a selected hurricane, such as: Frances or Ivan. The daily journal entries would include air pressure tendencies, wind velocities, and storm surge probabilities when the hurricane reaches landfall. The report would also contain a brief description of how a hurricane develops.2. A critical essay discussing how humans have historically contributed to global warming, such as the impact of fossil fuel consumption on the carbon cycle will be assigned.3. Climagraphs constructed from monthly average temperature and precipitation data on selected geographical locations summarize the climate controls that contribute to each climate type.C. TYPICAL OUTSIDE OF CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS:1. READING:a. Selected articles on specific assigned topics using such periodicals as Journal of Climate, Atmosphere/Ocean, and Weatherwise.2. WRITING:a. A critical essay, based on the local scale wind system, will be assigned. Students will sketch and describe the development of the sea breeze over the Oxnard Plain area. Students will have to explain how this mesoscale wind system affects local temperatures and provides an ocean air circulation for the Oxnard area.3. OTHER:a. Students will be assigned to review Internet sources that deal with topics covered in class: such as: NOAA satellite imagery that can track a hurricane, i.e. hurricane Ivan (September 2004).b. Students will be assigned to use the “Student Animations” CD-ROM that accompanies the textbook for review of illustrations of key concepts in weather and climate.VII. TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:A. TEXTBOOK(S); LATEST EDITION OF:1. The Atmosphere; Authors: Frederick K. Lutgens and Edward J. Tarbuck; Publisher: Prentice Hall; 9th edition, 2004B. OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:1. Wall maps2. Slide presentations3. Video4. PowerPoint presentations5. CD ROM presentations6. Overhead presentations7. Weather instrumentsa. Barometerb. Minimum/Maximum thermometerc. Sling psychrometerVIII. DISCIPLINE ASSIGNMENT:COURSE OUTLINEOXNARD COLLEGEI. COURSE IDENTIFICATION AND JUSTIFICATION:(The Banner title may not exceed 30 characters in length. The descriptive [full] title may not exceed 68 characters in length. Space and punctuation characters count toward these limits.)A. PROPOSED COURSE ID: GEOG R103 BANNER TITLE: Intro to Weather and Climate DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: Intro to Weather and Climate (Please complete the next two lines only if modifying the identification and/or title(s) of an existing course.)PREVIOUS COURSE ID: None BANNER TITLE: None DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: None B. REASON(S) COURSE IS OFFERED:(Specify how the course fulfills degree, certificate, transfer, job or career training, community, or other needs. Distinguish the course’s purpose from that of similar courses. Clearly state the course’s goals to allow evaluation of objectives.)This course is required for the major. It fulfills a transfer and general education requirement in the Physical Sciences for the Associate degree.C. REASON(S)


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Oxnard College GEOG R103 - GEOG R103 COURSE OUTLINE

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