Meteorology

This is an archived copy of the 2015-2016 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

Graduates work to understand natural processes on Earth and other planets. They are able to apply their knowledge of forces and factors that shape the Earth to reconstruct the past and anticipate the future. Graduates provide essential information for solving problems for resource management, environmental protection, and public health, safety, and welfare. They work as consultants on engineering and environmental problems, explorers for new minerals and hydrocarbon resources, researchers, teachers, writers, editors, and museum curators. Graduates are able to integrate field and laboratory data and to prepare reports. They are able to make presentations that include maps and diagrams that illustrate the results of their studies.

The study of Meteorology involves the description of the earth’s atmosphere and the processes responsible for its behavior. Students majoring in Meteorology earn the bachelor of science. The major satisfies guidelines specified by the American Meteorological Society and meets education requirements for employment with the National Weather Service and the World Meteorlogical Organization. Successful preparation for professional or graduate work in Meteorology requires that the student develop and integrate a diverse range of skills and knowledge bases. These include weather observing, the physics and dynamics of the global atmosphere, application of new weather technologies, advanced mathematical tools, computer programming and modeling, and effective oral and written communication. The faculty view the senior thesis (MTEOR 499 Senior Research), in particular, as a capstone experience in which students demonstrate they have achieved this integration. Also, contemporary meteorology is an earth-system science with ties to a variety of human experiences. The electives and general education requirements of the college are further experiences that the meteorology student must integrate with their core meteorology knowledge in order to function effectively in a globally-oriented profession. The program requires the following courses:

MTEOR 111	Synoptic Applications	1
MTEOR 201	Introductory Seminar	R
MTEOR 206	Introduction to Weather and Climate	3
MTEOR 301	General Meteorology	4
MTEOR 311	Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology	2
MTEOR 341	Atmospheric Physics I	3
MTEOR 342	Atmospheric Physics II	3
MTEOR 411	Synoptic Meteorology	3
MTEOR 417	Mesoscale Forecasting Laboratory	3
MTEOR 432	Instrumentation and Measurements	3
MTEOR 443	Dynamic Meteorology I	3
MTEOR 454	Dynamic Meteorology II	3
MTEOR 499	Senior Research	2
Total Credits		33

An additional 9 credits must be chosen from:

MTEOR 402	Watershed Hydrology	4
MTEOR 404	Global Change	3
MTEOR 405	Environmental Biophysics	3
MTEOR 406	World Climates	3
MTEOR 407	Mesoscale Meteorology	3
MTEOR 452	Climate Modeling	3
MTEOR 490	Independent Study	1-3
GEOL 415	Paleoclimatology	3
or C E 372	Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics

Supporting work is required in areas at least equivalent to:

One of the following sequnces		4
CHEM 163 & 163L	College Chemistry and Laboratory in College Chemistry
Or
CHEM 177 & 177L	General Chemistry I and Laboratory in General Chemistry I
COM S 207	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
PHYS 221	Introduction to Classical Physics I	5
PHYS 222	Introduction to Classical Physics II	5
MATH 165	Calculus I	4
MATH 166	Calculus II	4
MATH 265	Calculus III	4
MATH 266	Elementary Differential Equations	3
STAT 105	Introduction to Statistics for Engineers	3
SP CM 212	Fundamentals of Public Speaking	3
Total Credits		38

A grade of C or better (not C-) is required in each of the following courses to meet minimum graduation requirements for a bachelor of science degree in Meteorology:

MTEOR 206	Introduction to Weather and Climate	3
MTEOR 301	General Meteorology	4

Several co-op programs are available for upper division undergraduates. Although a range of opportunities exists for men and women who terminate their studies with a bachelor of science, students who meet the necessary academic standards are encouraged to continue their studies in a graduate program. For these students, additional coursework is recommended in a mathematical or physical science. Other students can choose a wide range of supporting courses that will contribute to their particular area of interest in meteorology.

See Four-Year Graduation Plan: B.S. in Meteorology - Path 1: For students prepared to start in calculus

See Four-Year Graduation Plan: B.S. in Meteorology - Path 2: For students needing preparatory mathematics prior to calculus

Minor - Meteorology

The department offers a minor in Meteorology which may be earned by completing 15 credits including MTEOR 111 Synoptic Applications (only 1 credit may count toward the minor), MTEOR 206 Introduction to Weather and Climate and MTEOR 301 General Meteorology. Further information concerning programs of study, including sample degree programs, is available from the department.

Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

MTEOR 107. Severe and Hazardous Weather.

(2-0) Cr. 1. F.
Understanding of atmospheric processes that play a role in creating severe and hazardous weather. Focus on thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, ice storms, and temperature extremes. Impacts on lives and property.

MTEOR 111. Synoptic Applications.

(1-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in MATH 165
Current weather discussions and introduction to synoptic-scale interpretation of meteorology. Application and use of calculus in meteorology. Course restricted to majors. Others with permission of instructor.

MTEOR 112. Geoscience Orientation.

(Cross-listed with GEOL). (1-0) Cr. 1. F.
Orientation course for students enrolled in the Earth, Wind and Fire Learning Community. Provides an introduction to Iowa State University and meteorology, geology, and Earth science programs for students enrolled in the department's learning community. Activities include academic and social activities, talks and presentations on academic success, resume writing, and study abroad, as well as research talks by faculty members.

MTEOR 160. Water Resources of the World.

(Cross-listed with AGRON, ENV S, GEOL). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Study of the occurrence, history, development, and management of world water resources. Basic hydrologic principles including climate, surface water, groundwater, and water quality. Historical and current perspectives on water policy, use, and the role of water in society and the environment.

MTEOR 201. Introductory Seminar.

Cr. R. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in PHYS 221
An overview of the atmospheric sciences, the meteorology program at Iowa State, and the major research journals used in the discipline.

MTEOR 206. Introduction to Weather and Climate.

(Cross-listed with AGRON). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.
Basic concepts in weather and climate, including atmospheric measurements, radiation, stability, precipitation, winds, fronts, forecasting, and severe weather. Applied topics include global warming, ozone depletion, world climates and weather safety.

MTEOR 227. Computational Meteorology I.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Credit or concurrent enrollment in MTEOR 206, credit or concurrent enrollment in PHYS 221
An introduction to computer programming using FORTRAN with focus on meteorological applications. Emphasis on basics of good programming techniques and style through extensive practice in top-down design, writing, running, and debugging small programs. Topics include operations and functions, selective execution, repetitive execution, arrays, input/output, file processing, and subprograms. This course is designed for majors.

MTEOR 265. Scientific Balloon Engineering and Operations.

(Cross-listed with AER E). (0-2) Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.
Engineering aspects of scientific balloon flights. Integration of science mission objectives with engineering requirements. Operations team certification. FAA and FCC regulations, communications, and command systems. Flight path prediction and control.

MTEOR 298. Cooperative Education.

Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; sophomore classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing the work period.

MTEOR 301. General Meteorology.

(4-0) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: MATH 166, credit or enrollment in PHYS 222
Global distribution of temperature, wind, and atmospheric constituents; atmospheric thermodynamics, radiative transfer, global energy balance, storms and clouds, introductory dynamics.

MTEOR 311. Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology.

(1-2) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: MTEOR 301
Concepts of weather map plotting and analysis. Introduction to forecasting and to the use of real-time UNIDATA computer products.

MTEOR 321. Meteorology Internship.

Cr. 1-2. Repeatable, maximum of 3 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: MTEOR 311; junior or senior standing; permission of co-op program coordinator; acceptance by sponsoring agency
Supervised practical experience in a professional meteorological agency. Experiences may include providing weather information for radio, TV, utilities, government agencies, construction, or agribusiness.

MTEOR 324. Energy and the Environment.

(Cross-listed with ENSCI, ENV S, GEOL). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Origin, occurrence, and extraction of fossil fuels. Nuclear, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric, and solar energy. Biofuels. Energy efficiency. Environmental effects of energy production and use, including air pollution, acid precipitation, coal ash, mountaintop removal mining, oil drilling, hydraulic fracturing, groundwater contamination, nuclear waste disposal, and global climate change. Carbon sequestration and geoengineering solutions for reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

MTEOR 341. Atmospheric Physics I.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: PHYS 222, credit or enrollment in MATH 266, MTEOR 301.
Basic laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamics of water vapor, mixtures of gases, stability, hydrostatics, cloud physics.

MTEOR 342. Atmospheric Physics II.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: MTEOR 341
Precipitation physics, radar, atmospheric radiation, atmospheric optics, atmospheric electricity.

MTEOR 398. Cooperative Education.

Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; junior classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing the work period.

MTEOR 402. Watershed Hydrology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 502). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, GEOL, NREM). (3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering; junior standing
Examination of watersheds as systems, emphasizing the surface components of the hydrologic cycle. Combines qualitative understanding of hydrological processes and uncertainty with quantitative representation. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation and measurement of watershed processes.

MTEOR 404. Global Change.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 504). (Cross-listed with AGRON, ENSCI, ENV S). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering; junior standing
Recent changes in global biogeochemical cycles and climate; models of future changes in the climate system; impacts of global change on agriculture, water resources and human health; ethical issues of global environmental change. Also offered online Alt. F, even-numbered years.

MTEOR 405. Environmental Biophysics.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 505). (Cross-listed with AGRON, ENSCI). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years. Prereq: MATH 165 or MATH 182 or equivalent and some computer programming experience (any language)
A description of the physical microenvironment in which organisms live. Emphasis on the movement of energy (heat and radiation) and mass (water and carbon) among organisms, the soil, and atmosphere. Applications to humans, other animals, plants, and plant communities.

MTEOR 406. World Climates.

(Cross-listed with AGRON, ENSCI). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: AGRON 206/MTEOR 206
Distribution and causes of different climates around the world. Effects of climate and climate variations on human activities including society, economy and agriculture. Current issues such as climate change and international efforts to assess and mitigate the consequences of a changing climate. Semester project and in-class presentation required.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.

MTEOR 407. Mesoscale Meteorology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 507). (Cross-listed with AGRON). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MATH 166 and MTEOR 443
Physical nature and practical consequences of mesoscale atmospheric phenomena. Mesoscale convective systems, fronts, terrain-forced circulations. Observation, analysis, and prediction of mesoscale atmospheric structure.

MTEOR 411. Synoptic Meteorology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 511). (1-4) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: MTEOR 311, Credit or enrollment in MTEOR 454
Current weather forecasting and discussion. Applications of atmospheric physics and dynamics in real-time weather situations. Use of UNIDATA computer products.

MTEOR 416. Hydrologic Modeling and Analysis.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 516). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, GEOL). (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years. Prereq: Four courses in Earth science, meteorology, or engineering; junior standing
Study of the basic principles of hydrologic modeling, including rainfall-runoff analysis, lumped and distributed modeling, conceptual and physical models, parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis, input and validation data, uncertainty analysis, and the use of models in surface water hydrology. A range of common models are applied to study hydrologic topics such as flood forecasting and land use change impacts. Previous experience with Matlab or other programming language is needed.

MTEOR 417. Mesoscale Forecasting Laboratory.

(1-5) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in MTEOR 411
Real-time computer analysis of current weather, with emphasis on small-scale features. Studies of severe weather, lake-effect snow, CSI, cold-air damming.

MTEOR 432. Instrumentation and Measurements.

(2-2) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in MATH 266, PHYS 222
Principles of meteorological sensing and data analysis. Thermometry, barometry, hygrometry, anemometry, precipitation measurements, radiometry, radar, remote sensing, visibility, and cloud height. Calibration and measurement uncertainties. Digital signal processing. Field trip to the National Weather Service. Labs emphasize dataloggers and modern weather stations.

MTEOR 443. Dynamic Meteorology I.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: MTEOR 341
Conservation laws, governing equations, circulation and vorticity. Development of quasi-geostrophic theory.

MTEOR 452. Climate Modeling.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 552). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years. Prereq: MTEOR 301
Developing and working with climate models based on fundamental physical principles that govern the climate systems of the Earth and other planets. Emphasis on coupled, nonlinear-system interactions of physical processes such as circulation dynamics, radiative transfer, and cloud/precipitation physics, starting with fairly simple 0- and 1-dimensional analytical and numerical models based on energy, mass, and momentum conservation. Observational study of seasonally evolving weather patterns that form climates around the world.

MTEOR 454. Dynamic Meteorology II.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: MTEOR 443
Planetary boundary layer, linear perturbation theory, atmospheric wave motions, baroclinic and convective instability, mesoscale circulations.

MTEOR 471. History of Modern Meteorology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 571). (1-0) Cr. 1. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MTEOR 341, MTEOR 342, MTEOR 411, MTEOR 443, MTEOR 452
Development of meteorological theories and numerical weather prediction, discoveries of important meteorological phenomena, and impact of weather and climate on important historical events.

MTEOR 490. Independent Study.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: 6 credits in meteorology, permission of instructor
No more than 9 credits in Mteor 490 may be counted toward graduation.

MTEOR 490A. Independent Study: Synoptic Meteorology..

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: 6 credits in meteorology, permission of instructor
No more than 9 credits in Mteor 490 may be counted toward graduation.

MTEOR 490B. Independent Study: Dynamic Meteorology..

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: 6 credits in meteorology, permission of instructor
No more than 9 credits in Mteor 490 may be counted toward graduation.

MTEOR 490C. Independent Study: Physical Meteorology..

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: 6 credits in meteorology, permission of instructor
No more than 9 credits in Mteor 490 may be counted toward graduation.

MTEOR 490D. Independent Study: Instrumentation..

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: 6 credits in meteorology, permission of instructor
No more than 9 credits in Mteor 490 may be counted toward graduation.

MTEOR 490E. Independent Study: Hydrology..

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: 6 credits in meteorology, permission of instructor
No more than 9 credits in Mteor 490 may be counted toward graduation.

MTEOR 498. Cooperative Education.

Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; senior classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

MTEOR 499. Senior Research.

(2-0) Cr. 2. F.
Required of all senior meteorology majors. Research projects in collaboration with faculty. Written and oral presentations of results at the end of the semester.

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:

MTEOR 502. Watershed Hydrology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 402). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, GEOL, NREM). (3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering; junior standing
Examination of watersheds as systems, emphasizing the surface components of the hydrologic cycle. Combines qualitative understanding of hydrological processes and uncertainty with quantitative representation. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation and measurement of watershed processes.

MTEOR 504. Global Change.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 404). (Cross-listed with AGRON, ENSCI). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering; junior standing
Recent changes in global biogeochemical cycles and climate; models of future changes in the climate system; impacts of global change on agriculture, water resources and human health; ethical issues of global environmental change. Also offered online Alt. F, even-numbered years.

MTEOR 505. Environmental Biophysics.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 405). (Cross-listed with AGRON, ENSCI). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years. Prereq: MATH 165 or MATH 182 or equivalent and some computer programming experience (any language)
A description of the physical microenvironment in which organisms live. Emphasis on the movement of energy (heat and radiation) and mass (water and carbon) among organisms, the soil, and atmosphere. Applications to humans, other animals, plants, and plant communities.

MTEOR 507. Mesoscale Meteorology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 407). (Cross-listed with AGRON). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MATH 166 and MTEOR 443
Gallus. The physical nature and practical consequences of mesoscale atmospheric phenomena. Mesoscale convective systems, fronts, terrain-forced circulations. Observation, analysis, and prediction of mesoscale atmospheric structure. Semester project and in-class presentation required.

MTEOR 511. Synoptic Meteorology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 411). (1-4) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: MTEOR 311, Credit or enrollment in MTEOR 454
Current weather forecasting and discussion. Applications of atmospheric physics and dynamics in real-time weather situations. Use of UNIDATA computer products.

MTEOR 516. Hydrologic Modeling and Analysis.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 416). (Cross-listed with ENSCI, GEOL). (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years. Prereq: Four courses in earth science, meteorology, or engineering; junior standing
Study of the basic principles of hydrologic modeling, including rainfall-runoff analysis, lumped and distributed modeling, conceptual and physical models, parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis, input and validation data, uncertainty analysis, and the use of models in surface water hydrology. A range of common models are applied to study hydrologic topics such as flood forecasting and land use change impacts. Previous experience with Matlab or other programming language is needed.

MTEOR 518. Microwave Remote Sensing.

(Cross-listed with AGRON, E E). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MATH 265 or equivalent
Microwave remote sensing of Earth's surface and atmosphere using satellite-based or ground-based instruments. Specific examples include remote sensing of atmospheric temperature and water vapor, precipitation, ocean salinity, and soil moisture.

MTEOR 542. Physical Meteorology.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: MTEOR 342, MATH 266, PHYS 222
Planetary atmospheres, radiative equilibrium models, radiative transfer, the upper atmosphere, remote sounding from satellites.

MTEOR 543. Advanced Dynamic Meteorology I.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MTEOR 455
The first half of a two semester sequence. Governing equations, scale analysis, simple types of wave motion in the atmosphere, instability theory.

MTEOR 544. Advanced Dynamic Meteorology II.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MTEOR 543
Continuation of 543. General circulation and dynamics of zonally symmetric circulations, atmospheric energetics, nonlinear dynamics of planetary waves.

MTEOR 552. Climate Modeling.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 452). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years. Prereq: MTEOR 301
Developing and working with climate models based on fundamental physical principles that govern the climate systems of the Earth and other planets. Emphasis on coupled, nonlinear-system interactions of physical processes such as circulation dynamics, radiative transfer, and cloud/precipitation physics, starting with fairly simple 0- and 1-dimensional analytical and numerical models based on energy, mass, and momentum conservation. Observational study of seasonally evolving weather patterns that form climates around the world.

MTEOR 571. History of Modern Meteorology.

(Dual-listed with MTEOR 471). (1-0) Cr. 1. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: MTEOR 341, MTEOR 342, MTEOR 411, MTEOR 443, MTEOR 452
Development of meteorological theories and numerical weather prediction, discoveries of important meteorological phenomena, and impact of weather and climate on important historical events.

MTEOR 590. Special Topics.