First-Year Courses in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences (Division 241)

Winter Term, 2000 (September 8 - December 22, 1999)

Although AOSS 202 is offered through the College of Engineering, the course is approved by LS&A to earn LS&A credits and may be used to meet Natural Science distribution requirements. Other Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences courses are listed in the College of Engineering Bulletin, and in the Time Schedule as part of the offerings of the College of Engineering in the AOSS subsection and may be elected by LS&A students as a part of non-LS&A course work. These other courses do not help meet LS&A distribution requirements. Students who have a serious professional interest in the field should consult the department (2443 Space Research Building, 764-3335).

Section 001.

Instructor(s): Perry Samson (weatherguy@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: http://www.engin.umich.edu/class/aoss202/

The course provides a basic understanding of the atmosphere, weather, and climate. Description of weather elements including atmospheric composition, pressure, temperature, humidity, winds, and precipitation. Explanation of weather phenomena including blizzards, tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lake-effect snowstorms. Discussion of climate and climate changes caused by ozone depletion, greenhouse warming, El Niño, and global circulation patterns. Daily weather briefings. Grades are based on periodic homework assignments and three hour tests. The text is Meteorology Today by C. Donald Ahrens.