Natural
Science Department
Assessment Planning – Meteorology Program
Meteorology Program
The essential goal of the Meteorology Program
is to have students apply principles of Physics, Mathematics,
Chemistry, and other Natural Sciences to investigate and understand
atmospheric phenomena. The following specific student learning
outcomes are expected of students in support of this goal.
Student Learning Outcomes
(Courses in which evaluations of coursework
material are expected to contribute to assessment of these outcomes
are listed in parentheses.)
1. Explain the
composition and structure of the atmosphere. (MT211, MT223,
MT411, MT441)
2. Understand
the Earth-Sun relationships and their application to the concepts
of radiative energy transfer and energy budgets. (MT211, MT223,
MT280, MT441, MT443, MT447).
3. Understand
the underlying physical principles and measurement of meteorological
variables. (MT 211, MT223, MT271)
4. Understand
atmospheric general circulation and the basic principles of
physical and applied climatology and climate change. (MT211,
MT280, MT430, MT443)
5. Use and interpret
weather charts, maps, and diagrams. (MT223, MT325, MT330, MT430,
MT431, MT432, MT445, MT455(Meso)).
6. Diagnose and
forecast synoptic and mesoscale weather phenomena. (MT223, MT330,
MT430, MT431, MT432, MT455 (Meso)).
7. Write, compile,
and successfully execute a computer program in a scientific
programming language (e.g., Fortran, C++ etc…). (CS240, MT455
(NWP), MT443, MT447)
8. Demonstrate
proficiency in using computer based weather visualization packages.
(IS101, MT325, MT330, MT430, MT433, MT436, MT445, MT455 (Meso)).
9. Understand
the operating principles and performance characteristics of
instruments used to sample the atmosphere. (MT211, MT271)
10. Demonstrate
the ability to communicate weather information in written and
oral form.**
(MT271, MT280,
MT433, MT436, MT430, MT411, MT443, MT445)
** We think this may also be a common
NSD goal and will either complement that goal or be folded into
that goal for department assessment purposes.
In addition to the courses listed above
from which there will be direct assessments of the student learning
outcomes, we expect to use the following ancillary assessments
as well:
