ATOC 1050: Weather and the Atmosphere

   3 Credit Hours

   A&S Core: Natural Science Sequence

   A&S Gen Ed: Distribution-Natural Sciences

   MAPS Course: Natural Science

   Natural Physical Sci: Lec Crse w/o Req Lab

This course introduces the principles of modern meteorology to non-science majors, with an emphasis on scientific and human issues associated with severe weather events. Includes description, methods of prediction, and impacts of blizzards, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods and firestorms.

Learning Objectives

  • Define fundamental terminology and scientific elements of meteorology (weather); 
  • Explain the importance of each major meteorological system as related to micro-, meso-, synoptic, and global scales that comprise specific weather phenomena; 
  • Read, apply, and interpret basic elements of weather reporting data and information; 
  • Examine and apply various basic methods for analyzing and forecasting weather; 
  • Evaluate, apply, and assess basic principles of weather system analysis as related to fundamental concepts of characterizing and predicting global climate changes and global warming.

In this course, you will

   Learn practical, fun, and useful ways to obtain weather data and information that will be beneficial to you now and in the future;

   Take observed weather conditions and report that information to class members with a focus on related human activities like outdoor activities, business concerns, etc.;

   Discover how weather on other planets compares to Earth’s weather system;

   Learn to discuss, in general terms, how the nature of weather eventually leads to the ways we characterize climate.

 

Meet Your Instructor
Photo of Dr. Forrest

Jeffrey Forrest

  jeffrey.forrest@colorado.edu

Dr. Jeffrey Forrest holds a BA in Geography/Earth Science, BS in Aviation Technology, MA in Space Systems Management, MAS in Aerospace Management, and PhD in Computer Information Science.

For well over 20 years, he has taught weather, Earth systems, and space science to pilots and aerospace managers. He also managed an Earth science research firm for over 10 years that merged satellite data, geophysical analysis, and geologic interpretations to study surface and subsurface features of Earth.

Dr. Forrest has been an active pilot for over 30 years and has flown in all types of weather — from “clear blue” to the boundaries of squall lines. He also studied planetary science at CU, and really enjoys reading about atmospheres and weather on other planets. Dr. Forrest's full-time job is Professor and Chair of Aviation and Aerospace Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver. He has taught this course at CU «Ƶ for over 20 years.