UNCA Catalog: Courses of Instruction
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents

Atmospheric Sciences (ATMS)

Professor Huang (Chair); Professor Brotak; Lecturer Quinlan

The Atmospheric Sciences Department offers a B.S. degree in two concentrations that prepare students for employment immediately upon graduation or for further studies at the graduate level. Both concentrations fulfill federal Civil Service requirements for employment as a meteorologist. A Climatology concentration provides a strong preparation for graduate work with a specialization in climatology and mathematics. The National Climatic Data Center, located in Asheville, represents a unique resource for students. In the Weather Forecasting concentration, students learn the basics of weather analysis and forecasting and how to communicate meteorological information to the public. McIDAS, DIFAX, National Lightning Detection Network and LDM are utilized in courses with a lab component. Students are encouraged to focus their career objectives through enrollment in cooperative education and internship courses.

Concentration in Climatology

This concentration is designed to prepare a student for advanced work in Atmospheric Science with an emphasis on Climatology.

1. Required courses in the major--36 hours, including: ATMS 103, 214, 305, 310, 320, 340, 405, 410, 411, 420, 455.
2. Required courses outside the major--34 hours distributed as follows: CHEM 111, 132; CSCI 142 or 201; MATH 191, 192, 291, 394; PHYS 221, 222; STAT 225. Recommended courses: MATH 341 and STAT 321.
3. Special departmental requirements--Major competency is demonstrated by a senior comprehensive exam. Oral competency is demonstrated as part of the senior comprehensive examination. Formal preparation for this is in ATMS 410 and 411. Computer competency is demonstrated through completion of either CSCI 142 or 201.

Concentration in Weather Forecasting

This concentration is designed for students seeking employment as meteorologists upon receiving the degree.

1. Required courses in the major--33 hours, including: ATMS 103, 205, 214, 305, 310, 320, 350, 410, 411, 455.
2. Required courses outside the major--27 hours distributed as follows: CHEM 111, 132; CSCI 142 or 201; MATH 191, 192, 291; PHYS 221, 222. MATH 394 is strongly recommended. Additional courses in Statistics and Hydrology are recommended.
3. Special departmental requirements--Major competency is demonstrated by a senior comprehensive exam. Oral competency is demonstrated as part of the senior comprehensive examination. Formal preparation for this is in ATMS 410 and 411. Computer competency is demonstrated through completion of either CSCI 142 or 201.

Declaration of Major in Atmospheric Sciences

Declaring a major in Atmospheric Sciences requires the student to complete a Declaration of Major form that must be signed by the department chair. Before declaring a major, students must satisfy the LANG 102 requirement.

Minor in Atmospheric Sciences

20-22 hours in Atmospheric Sciences of which at least 6 hours must be at the 100-200 levels, and at least six hours must be at the 300-400 levels.

103 Introduction to Meteorology (3)

A non-technical treatment of the fundamentals of weather and weather forecasting, geared for the general student. This course can be used to satisfy the three-semester-hour interdisciplinary natural sciences General Education requirement. ATMS 105 may be substituted for ATMS 103 by majors. (Students may not receive credit for both ATMS 103 and 105.) Fall and Spring.

105 Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences (5)

An introduction to meteorology and climatology with laboratory. Topics include fundamentals of physical processes and weather systems, climatological principles, the historical role of weather and climate, and the influence of weather and climate on modern society. This course includes the General Education interdisciplinary science component. Lecture: 3 hours; recitation: 1 hour; laboratory: 2 hours. Prerequisite: MATH 155 or equivalent. (Students may not receive credit for both ATMS 103 and 105.) See department chair.

106 Introductory Meteorology Lab (1)

Separate laboratory in instrumentation, data collection and weather map analysis. To be taken concurrently or following ATMS 103. Corequisite: ATMS 103. Fall.

205 Weather Analysis (3)

Basic plotting of the various weather codes, fundamentals of map analysis, basic techniques of weather forecasting. Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or 105, or permission of instructor. Fall.

214 General Meteorology (4)

Technical aspects of meteorology for Atmospheric Sciences majors. Introduction to atmospheric kinematics and dynamics, mesoscale weather patterns, precipitation processes, causes of seasonal trends and air pollution meteorology. Lab included. Prerequisites: ATMS 103 or 105; MATH 191. Spring.

223 Physical Climatology (3)

Causes of spatial and temporal climate variation, with special emphasis on energy and water balance regions of the earth and its atmosphere. Consequences of anthropogenic climate change will be explored. Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or 105. See department chair.

261 UNIX Applications in Meteorology (1)

This course familiarizes students with the department's UNIX-based computer equipment. The basics of UNIX are presented, followed by instruction in the use of various data-processing and analysis packages, including Web browsers, McIDAS and LDM. Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or 105. See department chair.

305 Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Statics (3)

A study of the gaseous composition of the earth's atmosphere, its modification by radiative processes and the application of the gas laws to the atmospheric statics. Prerequisites: ATMS 214; PHYS 221. Corequisite: MATH 192. Fall.

310 Atmospheric Kinematics and Dynamics (3)

The motion of the earth's atmosphere in relation to the forces acting upon the fluid. Equations of motion, circulation, vorticity, divergence, viscosity, turbulence and atmospheric energy. Prerequisite: ATMS 305. Spring.

315 Radar and Satellite Meteorology (3)

Theory and application of radar and satellite remote sensing to atmospheric sciences. Weather analysis and forecasting, and climatological implications. Prerequisites: ATMS 214; PHYS 222. See department chair.

316 Mesoscale Meteorology (3)

Atmospheric processes in the scale of 10 to 1000 km including tornadoes, thunderstorms and tropical cyclones; application of current data to mesoscale analysis and forecasting. Prerequisite: ATMS 214. See department chair.

320 Meteorological Instruments (3)

The history, operation and use of instruments that monitor the atmosphere, with emphasis on practical applications. Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or 105 or equivalent training. See department chair.

331 Principles of Air Pollution (ENVR 331) (3)

Sources, sinks and controls of air pollution, legal aspects, meteorological factors which influence air pollution, analytical techniques for quantifying air pollution. Prerequisites: CHEM 111,132 and one of the following: ATMS 103 or 105, or ENVR 130. See department chair.

338 Hydrology (ENVR 338) (3)

Hydrologic cycle and component processes: precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, snow melt, runoff, stream flow and ground water. Prerequisites: ATMS 103 or 105; MATH 191. See department chair.

340 General Climatology (3)

A technical study of the physical controls of climate and the applicability of climatology to people's activities. Prerequisites: ATMS 103 or 105; MATH 191. See department chair.

350 Weather Forecasting (3)

The science and techniques of weather forecasting, applications of map analysis and numerical guidance. Prerequisite: ATMS 205. Spring.

381-3 Cooperative Education (1-3)

Majors with at least sophomore status may apply for part-time positions at local firms dealing with meteorology. Prerequisite: permission of department chair. May be repeated for a total of six hours of credit. Fall and Spring.

405 Meteorological Statistics (3)

Basic statistical method and tests of significance, probability, frequency distribution, curve fitting, correlation, harmonic analysis (Fourier series), correllogram, periodogram and spectrum analysis. Prerequisites: ATMS 214; MATH 291; STAT 225. See department chair.

410 Synoptic Meteorology I (4)

A synthesis of the mathematical and analytical aspects of meteorology designed to explain fundamental weather processes and systems; practical application of the diagnostic and predictive equations through the use of weather maps; topics include upper-level systems and jet streams and surface pressure systems. Presentations in this course will prepare students for demonstrating oral competency in the senior comprehensive examination. Corequisite: ATMS 305. Fall.

411 Synoptic Meteorology II (4)

A continuation of ATMS 410. Topics include frontal systems, mid-latitude convective systems, tropical meteorology, numerical weather prediction and oral competency. Prerequisite: ATMS 410. Corequisite: ATMS 310. Spring.

420 Applied Climatology (3)

Application of climatological and statistical principles to weather-sensitive fields such as agriculture, construction, transportation and energy conservation. Prerequisite: ATMS 405; or permission of instructor. See department chair.

455 Physical Meteorology (3)

Physical processes of condensation, radiation and radiative transfer, atmospheric sound and light propagation, atmospheric electrical phenomena and principals of weather modification. Prerequisite: ATMS 305. Spring.

490 Professional and Technical Internship (6)

Majors with a GPA of 3.0 or better within the major and at least junior status may apply for a semesterlong internship with a participating host agency. May not take ATMS 381, 382 or 383 and ATMS 490 concurrently. May not take more than 3 hours ATMS 381, 382, 383 in addition to ATMS 490. Prerequisite: permission of department chair. Fall and Spring.

499 Undergraduate Research in Atmospheric Sciences (1-6)

Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. Fall and Spring.

171-3, 271-3, 371-3, 471-3 Special Topics in Atmospheric Sciences (1-3)

Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. See department chair.

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