ENSC 330 - Weather and the Atmosphere

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-5; Sustainability
Application of physical science principles in the study of the structure and circulation of the atmosphere; weather and weather forecasting. Emphasis on current issues and topics of local and global interest.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-5 - Upper Division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning, Overlay - Sustainability
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas 1A, 1B, 1C and GE-2 with grade C- (CR) or better (GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division GE Area 5 (Areas B1-B3 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Credit Restrictions: Not for Geology or Envioronmental Sciences major or minor credit.

Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Cross-listed: GEOL 330
Course Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Explain the physical laws governing the structure and evolution of atmospheric phenomena spanning a broad range of spatial and temporal scales.
Explain the principles behind, and use of, meteorological instrumentation.
Describe, analyze and create graphical depictions of meteorological information.
Demonstrate critical and analytical skills to interpret and predict weather systems using weather products (model results, maps, satellite imagery, etc.).
Present and communicate weather analyses and forecasts in a team or individually.

GE-UD-5. Upper-division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate advanced and/or focused science or quantitative content knowledge in a specific scientific field, using appropriate vocabulary and referencing appropriate concepts (such as models, uncertainties, hypotheses, theories, and
Apply advanced quantitative skills (such as statistics, algebraic solutions, interpretation of graphical data) to scientific problems and evaluate scientific claims.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and scientific inquiry and the experimental and empirical methodologies used in science to investigate a scientific question or issue.
Apply science content knowledge to contemporary scientific issues (e.g., global warming) and technologies (e.g., cloning), where appropriate.

Sustainability Overlay Learning Outcomes

Discuss multiple dimensions of sustainability, including the scientific, social, cultural, and/or economic.
Analyze interactions between human activities and natural systems.
Describe strategies taken by individuals, communities, organizations, or governments for mitigating and/or adapting to key threats to environmental sustainability.