Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

MET 110 Our Violent Atmosphere

Weather and climate analyzed in terms of their physical basis and historical, economic and human consequences. Emphasis on impacts of extreme weather: hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, winter storms and floods.

3

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: MET 110 and ESCI 150

Course Attribute

LAS1-Natural &Physical Science and GT Natural & Phys Science

MET 205 General Meteorology

(3 lecture, 2 laboratory) The basic course in meteorology. The atmosphere, its structure and composition. Radiation, temperature, pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation, clouds, air masses and fronts. Measurements. Weather maps.
4

Course Attribute

LAS1-Natural &Physical Science and LASL-Natural&Physi Science LAB and GT Natural & Phys Science Lab

Course Fee

Course Fee Required and Participation Fee Required

MET 215 Intro Meteorological Analysis

(4 laboratory) Meteorological instruments and weather data; weather maps and upper air charts; plotting of charts and basic analysis techniques. An introduction to numerical weather prediction results is included.
2

Prerequisites

MET 205 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 221 Weather Forecasting Seminar

The practice of weather forecasting is introduced through weather briefings and participation in a forecast contest. Effective weather dissemination practices, interpersonal communication skills, and use of numerical guidance are emphasized.
1

Prerequisites

MET 215 with a minimum grade of D-

Repeatable Status

Course may be repeated 2 times

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 315 Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Develops quantitative problem solving skills and introductory computer skills using applications specific to meteorology; atmospheric composition and gas laws, atmospheric thermodynamics and stability.

3

Prerequisites

(MET 205 and MATH 131 and Concurrent Prerequisite PHYS 240 with a minimum grade of D-)

Offered

Generally offered Fall Annually

Program Restrictions

Include EarthSci:Meteorology-BS

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 320 Physical Meteorology

Physical processes in the atmosphere and advanced applications in atmospheric thermodynamics; radiation laws and balance, cloud microphysics, precipitation processes, and atmospheric electricity.

3

Prerequisites

MET 315 with a minimum grade of D-

Offered

Generally offered Spring Annually

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 376 Meteorological COOP Education

Credit given for participation in cooperative work/study program with National Weather Service, NOAA and/or other agencies. Summary paper required for work and/or research activities.
1-12

Prerequisites

MET 205 with a minimum grade of D-

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 24 credit hours

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 401 Dynamic Meteorology

The physical laws governing planetary and synoptic-scale atmospheric motions are developed mathematically based on conversion of mass, momentum, and energy.
3

Prerequisites

(MATH 233 or MET 215 or MET 320 or PHYS 241 with a minimum grade of D-)

Major/Minor Restriction

Include Earth Sciences Major(s)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 402 Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology

(3 lecture, 2 laboratory) Use of weather data, manual analyses, and meteorological software tools in weather forecasting and case studies. Practice includes review of theory, student weather briefing, daily forecast, and statistical forecast verification.

4

Prerequisites

MET 401 with a minimum grade of D-

Offered

Generally offered Spring Annually

Major/Minor Restriction

Include Earth Sciences Major(s)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 420 Advanced Weather Prediction

(3 lecture, 2 lab) Describes the principles of numerical weather prediction, modern forecast models, and their uses. Emphasis is placed on weather analysis, the advantages and limitations of numerical models, and advanced forecasting applications.
4

Prerequisites

(CS 101 and MET 402 with a minimum grade of D-)

Program Restrictions

Include EarthSci:Meteorology-BS

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 422 Directed Studies

Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.)
1- 4

Special Notes

Maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 451 Climatology

Factors affecting climate; analytical methods used to study climatology, general circulation of the atmosphere, oceans, and the global energy balance. Introduction to global climate models, projections of climate change.
3

Prerequisites

MET 320 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 452 Paleoclimatology

Survey of climate history and methods of interpreting geological, paleontological, and paleobotanical climate proxies. Introduction to modeling, utility of using models to reconstruct past climate, and current research in paleoclimate.
3

Prerequisites

MET 205 with a minimum grade of D-

Class Restriction

Include Junior and Senior

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 460 Mesoscale Meteorology

(3 lecture, 2 laboratory) Study of atmospheric phenomena on medium time and space scales. Topics include frontogenesis, mountain/valley winds, sea breeze circulations, gravity currents and waves, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and problems in mesoscale forecasting.
4

Prerequisites

MET 320 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 462 Extreme Mountain Weather

Principles of extreme weather over complex terrain, Rocky Mountains, and Colorado Front Range. Fire weather, windstorms, air pollution, blizzards and snow avalanches, monsoon circulations, and forecast application.
3

Prerequisites

(MET 205 and MATH 131 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 465 Radar and Satellite Meteorology

Principles of remote sensing techniques, including radar and satellite instrumentation and operation. Types of radar and satellite instrumentation and interpretation of imagery used to understand the atmosphere and forecast weather.
3

Prerequisites

(MET 315 and MET 320 with a minimum grade of D-)

Program Restrictions

Include EarthSci:Meteorology-BS

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

MET 495 Special Topics in Meteorology

Explore topics in meteorology beyond regular departmental offerings. Specific topics determined by student interest and instructor.
1- 4

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles with no limits on the number of times it can be repeated

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required