Learning outcomes for students who complete degree programs in the Plymouth State University Department of Atmospheric Science and Chemistry:
METEOROLOGY
The essential goal of the Meteorology Program is to have students apply principles of physics, mathematics, chemistry, and other natural sciences to investigate and understand atmospheric phenomena. The following specific student learning outcomes are expected of students in support of this goal.
- Explain the composition and structure of the atmosphere.
- Understand the Earth-Sun relationships and their application to the concepts of radiative energy transfer and energy budgets.
- Understand the underlying physical principles and measurement of meteorological variables and the operating principles and performance characteristics of instruments used to make those measurements.
- Understand atmospheric general circulation and the basic principles of physical and applied climatology and climate change.
- Use and interpret weather charts, maps, and diagrams.
- Diagnose and forecast synoptic and mesoscale weather phenomena.
- Write, compile, and successfully execute a computer program in a scientific programming language (e.g., Fortran, C++, etc.).
- Demonstrate proficiency in using computer based weather visualization packages.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate weather information in written and oral form.