Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title ESCI 1154: Introduction to Meteorology

Catalog Description

Credits 3
Hours/Week 3 (3 lecture)
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) None
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) Goal 3/Natural Sciences, Goal 10/People and the Environment

Course Description

This course will introduce students to our atmosphere and how variables in the atmosphere affect our daily and seasonal weather patterns. Students will gain an understanding of how weather occurs and how the atmosphere affects us individually and as a society. Other topics include tornadoes, hurricanes, air pollution and climate change. Recommended: ESCI 1155 Meteorology Laboratory as corequisite.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

March, 2025

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Weather Variables
  2. The Atmosphere: composition and structure
  3. Basics of Weather Generation
  4. Severe Weather
  5. Climate Change
  6. Air Pollution

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Apply the scientific method to make accurate short-term weather forecasts.
  2. Demonstrate a correct understanding of the mechanism of atmospheric heating.
  3. Explain the formation, development and dissipation of various types of weather, both severe and ordinary.
  4. Assess the effects of severe weather on people, cities and the environment.
  5. Critique various models of climate change.
  6. Assess the effects of air pollution on humanity and propose methods of mitigation.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

Goal 3/Natural Sciences

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
  2. Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.
  3. Evaluate societal issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make informed judgments about science-related topics and policies.
Goal 10/People and the Environment

The student will be able to:

  1. Discern patterns and interrelationships of bio-physical and socio-cultural systems.
  2. Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems and institutions.
  3. Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.
  4. Articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues.

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Critical Thinking
Students will think systematically and explore information thoroughly before accepting or formulating a position or conclusion.

Special Information (if any)

None