Meteorology Course Descriptions

MRR210   REFRESHER, INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY/LAB (No Credit)
Meets last six weeks of quarter ( 4 - 2 ).
An introductory course that treats the composition and structure of the atmosphere, thermodynamic processes, forces and related small- and large-scale motions, air masses fronts, tropical cyclones, solar and terrestrial radiation, general circulation and weather forecasting. Additionally, laboratory periods are included to illustrate lecture material, including surface and airways communication codes, pressure and streamline/ isotach analyses, introduction to mid-latitude and tropical analyses by the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) over oceanic regions, plus satellite interpretation.

MR0810  THESIS RESEARCH ( 0 - 8 ).
Every student conducting thesis research will enroll in this course.

MR0999  SEMINAR IN METEOROLOGY (No Credit) ( 2 - 0 ).
Students present results of thesis or other approved research investigation. PREREQUISITE: Concurrent preparation of thesis or other acceptable research paper.

MR2020  COMPUTER COMPUTATIONS IN AIR-OCEAN SCIENCES ( 2 - 2 ).
Introduction to the programming languages, operating systems, and computing facilities which METOC students use in MR and OC courses.  Laboratory assignments are elementary problems in oceanography and meteorology. PREREQUISITES: Calculus and college physics.

MR2200  INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY ( 4 - 0 ).
A introductory course that treats the composition and structure of the atmosphere, thermodynamic processes, forces and related small-and large-scale motions, air masses, fronts, tropical cyclones, solar and terrestrial radiation, general circulation and weather forecasting. PREREQUISITE: Department approval.

MR2210  INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY/LABORATORY ( 4 - 2 ).
Same course as MR2200 plus laboratory periods illustrating lecture material, including Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) analysis over oceanic areas, plus satellite imagery interpretation. PREREQUISITE: Department approval.

MR2230   METEOROLOGY, OCEANOGRAPHY, AND MILITARY OPERATIONS ( 4 - 0 ).
This course is an introduction to meteorology and oceanography (METOC) from a military operations perspective. The course examines the basic patterns and processes of the atmosphere and ocean, and their impacts on the planning and conducts of military.

MR2262  ELEMENTS OF WEATHER FORECASTING ( 1 - 2 ).
Survey of subjective and objective methods of atmospheric prognosis. Weather briefings illustrate applications of forecasting principles and use of satellite imagery. PREREQUISITES: MR3222, MR3230 or consent of instructor.

MR2416  METEOROLOGY FOR ELECTRONIC WARFARE ( 2 - 0 ).
A survey of environmental factors affecting the propagation and attenuation of electromagnetic waves. Synoptic and climatological conditions associated with anomalous refraction are studied. Ionospheric phenomena associated with longer wavelength (Hf) propagation. Layers associated with high aerosol concentration and optical turbulence are identified. Hands-on experience with existing environmental effects assessment models. PREREQUISITES: Differential and integral calculus. (May be taken concurrently).

MR2520  SURVEY OF AIR-OCEAN REMOTE SENSING ( 3 - 0 ).
Overview of systems for remote sensing of the atmosphere and oceans from space, and operational applications.  PREREQUISITES: Undergraduate physics and calculus, or consent of instructor.

MR3140  PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR AIR-OCEAN SCIENCE ( 3 - 2 ).
Basic probability and statistics, in the air-ocean science context with emphasis on techniques of statistical data analysis. Histograms, boxplots, empirical distributions and associated characteristics such as moments and percentiles. Structure of a probability model, density distribution function, expectation and variance. Binomial, Poisson and Gaussian distributions. Conditional probability and independence. Joint distributions, covariance and central limit theorem. Standard tests of hypotheses and confidence intervals for both one-and two-parameter situations. Regression analysis as related to least squares estimation. PREREQUISITE: Calculus.

MR3150  ANALYSIS OF AIR/OCEAN TIME SERIES ( 3 - 2 ).
Analysis methods for atmospheric and oceanic time series. Fourier transforms applied to linear systems and discrete data. Correlation functions, power density spectra and cospectra. Optimal design of air-ocean data networks. Laboratory work involves analysis of actual atmospheric and oceanic time series using principles developed in class.  PREREQUISITES: A probability and statistics course.

MR3212  POLAR METEOROLOGY/OCEANOGRAPHY ( 4 - 0 ).
Operational aspects of arctic and antarctic meteorology. Polar oceanography. Sea-ice; amount, its seasonal distribution, melting and freezing processes, physical and mechanical properties, drift and predictions. PREREQUISITES: OC3240, MR3222 or consent of instructor.

MR3220  METEOROLOGICAL ANALYSIS ( 4 - 0 ).
Techniques of evaluation, interpretation and analysis of pressure, wind, temperature and moisture data, including weather satellite observations, with emphasis on the low and middle troposphere. Synoptic models of extratropical vortices, waves and frontal systems, with emphasis on three dimensional space structure and time continuity, including isentropic surfaces and vertical cross-section analysis. Introduction to analysis in the troposphere and low stratosphere including daily exposure to Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) analysis, and satellite imagery interpretation. PREREQUISITES: MR3420 or MR3480, MR/OC3321.

MR3222  METEOROLOGICAL ANALYSIS/LABORATORY ( 4 - 3 ).
Same as MR3220 plus laboratory sessions in the IDEA lab, on the concepts considered in the lectures, with emphasis on the analysis of the low and middle troposphere, streamline and isotach analysis techniques, satellite interpretation, and vertical cross-section analyses. PREREQUISITES: MR3420 or MR3480, MR/OC3321.

MR3230  TROPOSPHERIC AND STRATOSPHERIC METEOROLOGY ( 4 - 0 ).
Development and application of conceptual models of the evolution of various tropospheric and stratospheric circulation systems. Extratropical cyclones, jet streams and fronts are examined through application of dynamical concepts with particular emphasis on aspects associated with the marine environment. PREREQUISITES: MR3222, MR4322 (may be concurrent).

MR3234  TROPOSPHERIC AND STRATOSPHERIC METEOROLOGY/LABORATORY ( 4 - 4 ).
Same as MR3230 plus laboratory sessions utilizing the IDEA Lab to facilitate the physical understanding of dynamical relationships inherent to the conceptual models of the various weather systems. Exercises utilize various case studies including material from recent marine cyclogenesis field experiments. PREREQUISITES: MR3222, MR4322, (may be taken concurrently).

MR3240  RADAR METEOROLOGY ( 3 - 0 ).
Principles of radar meteorology. Topics covered include radar systems, meteorological radar equation, doppler radar basics, propagation, attenuation, precipitation and velocity estimation, and characteristic echoes. PREREQUISITES: MR3222 and MR3522.

MR3250  TROPICAL METEOROLOGY ( 3 - 0 ).
Structure and mechanisms of synoptic-scale wave disturbances, cloud clusters, upper-tropospheric systems, the intertropical convergence zone; structure, development and motion of tropical cyclones; monsoon circulations. Emphasis on analysis and energetics. PREREQUISITES: MR4322 and MR3230 or MR3234 (may be taken concurrently).

MR3252  TROPICAL METEOROLOGY/LABORATORY ( 3 - 4 ).
Same as MR3250 plus laboratory sessions on analysis of tropical systems emphasizing streamline and isotach analysis and incorporating aircraft and satellite observations. Exercises stress tropical cyclone regimes. Satellite imagery is used as an analysis tool and also in forecasting tropical cyclone intensity. A track forecasting exercise provides an exposure to the use of various dynamic, climatological and statistical forecast models. PREREQUISITES: MR4322 and MR3230 or MR3234 (may be taken concurrently).

MR3260  OPERATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC PREDICTION ( 3 - 0 ).
Subjective and objective methods of atmospheric prognosis and techniques for forecasting operationally-important weather elements from surface to 100 mb. Interpretation, use and systematic errors of computer-generated products.  Weather satellite briefs and applications of forecasting principles to current situations. PREREQUISITES: MR3230, or MR3234; MR/OC4323 may be taken concurrently.

MR3262  OPERATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC PREDICTION/LABORATORY ( 3 - 5 ).
Same as MR3260 plus laboratory sessions on the application of lecture material. Also, practice in weather briefing, including diagnosis and forecasting of current weather briefing, including diagnosis and forecasting of current weather situations using weather satellite observations, and Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center and National Meteorological Center products. PREREQUISITES: MR3230 or MR3234; MR/OC4323 may be taken concurrently.

MR3321  AIR-OCEAN FLUID DYNAMICS ( 4 - 0 ).
A foundation course for studies of atmospheric and oceanographic motions. The governing dynamical equations for rotating stratified fluids are derived from fundamental physical laws. Topics include: the continuum hypothesis, real and apparent forces, derivations and applications of the governing equations, coordinate systems, scale analysis, simple balanced flows, boundary conditions, thermal wind, barotropic and baroclinic conditions, circulation, vorticity, and divergence. PREREQUISITES: Multivariable calculus and vectors; ordinary differential equations (may be taken concurrently).

MR3413  BOUNDARY LAYER METEOROLOGY ( 3 - 0 ).
This course covers the basic concepts, description, and quantification of the main features of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and atmospheric dispersion. The characteristics of turbulent flow will be introduced at the beginning of the course followed by a detailed discussion of the flux-profile relationship and the bulk aerodynamics surface flux parameterization for the surface layer. The course also covers the main features and dominant physical processes in the stable, clear, and convective boundary layers and an overview of the surface energy budget over various surface types. For dispersion modeling, the basic concepts of dispersion modeling and the Gaussian plume and puff models will be introduced. During the course, the statistical and dimensional analysis methods, which are the main tools to analyze the ABL observational and numerical modeling data, are introduced and used to reveal the characteristics and structure of the ABL. PREREQUISITES: MR3222 and MR3480.

MR3419  ASSESSMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC FACTORS IN EM/EO PROPAGATION (2 - 1).
The course addresses atmospheric parameters and their distribution that affect propagation of electromagnetic and Electro-optical (EM/EO) waves and describes their assessment with in situ and satellite borne sensors. It relates propagation phenomena to wavelength-dependent controlling atmospheric influences. Students receive demonstrations of obtaining web-site available atmospheric descriptions. There are demonstrations and exercises with computer based assessment codes that relate EM/EO propagation to measured and predicted atmospheric properties: PROPHET (HF), AREPS (UHF VHF-SHF), EOTDA&NOVAM (IR). Discussions will occur on display/distribution of global atmospheric and oceanic conditions supporting specific operational systems. Satellite sensor retrieval procedures will be described and demonstrated. PREREQUISITES: Curricula. Calculus based physics and math through multivariable calculus. Enrollment in International Electronic Warfare and Electronics/Communication. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: None.

MR3420  ATMOSPHERIC THERMODYNAMICS ( 3 - 0 ).
The physical variables; the equation of state; the first law of thermodynamics and its application to the atmosphere; meteorological thermodynamic diagrams; adiabatic processes and potential temperatures; moist air processes; hydrostatic equilibrium, vertical motion in the atmosphere, stability methods and criteria. PREREQUISITE: Multivariable calculus.

MR3421  CLOUD PHYSICS ( 3 - 0 ).
Basic principles of cloud and precipitation physics and application to cloud formation and optical properties. PREREQUISITE: MR3420 or MR3480.

MR3445  OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC OBSERVATIONAL SYSTEMS ( 2 - 2 ).
Principles of measurement: sensors, data acquisition systems, calibration, etc. Methods of measurement for thermodynamic and dynamic variables in the ocean and atmosphere, including acoustics and optics. PREREQUISITES:  OC3230 and MR3420, MR/OC3150 or consent of instructor.

MR3455  MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE MARINE AND COASTAL ATMOSPHERIC BOUNDARY LAYER ( 2 - 2 ).
The course treats a broad spectrum of measurement techniques for atmospheric dynamic and thermodynamic variables. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with various state-of-the-art sensing systems, including NPS’s Doppler Radar Wind Profiler. Topics include sensor static and dynamic characteristics; calibration; in situ measurements of wind, pressure, temperature, humidity, aerosols and radiation on the surface, on balloon-borne sounding systems and on aircraft; and surface-based remote sensing systems, including wind profilers, SODAR and LIDAR. PREREQUISITES: MR3150 and MR3222 or consent of the instructor.

MR3480  ATMOSPHERIC THERMODYNAMICS AND RADIATIVE PROCESSES ( 4 - 1 ).
The physical variables; the equation of state; the first law of thermodynamics and its application to the atmosphere; meteorological thermodynamic diagrams; adiabatic processes and potential temperatures; moist air process; hydrostatic equilibrium, vertical motion in the atmosphere, stability methods and criteria. Basic radiative transfer including absorption and scattering by atmospheric constituents; solar and terrestrial radiative heating; radiative energy budgets; climate change; radiative effects of clouds and aerosols; optical phenomena. PREREQUISITE: Single variable calculus.

MR3520  REMOTE SENSING OF THE ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN ( 4 - 0 ).
Principles of radiative transfer and satellite sensors and systems; visual, infrared and microwave radiometry and radar systems; application of satellite remotely-sensed data in the measurement of atmospheric and oceanic properties. PREREQUISITES: Undergraduate physics and differential/integral calculus, ordinary differential equations and MR3480, or consent of instructor.

MR3522  REMOTE SENSING OF THE ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN/LABORATORY (SS3525 is used for non Air-Ocean students.) ( 4 - 2 ).
Same as MR3520 plus laboratory sessions on the concepts considered in the lecture series. PREREQUISITES: Same as MR3520.

MR3540  RADIATIVE PROCESSES IN THE ATMOSPHERE ( 3 - 0 ).
Applications of radiation theory to atmospheric energy budgets, general circulation and anthropogenic climate changes. Radiational imbalance at the surface leading to heat fluxes and temperature changes in atmosphere and earth. Upper atmosphere phenomena (ozonosphere and ionosphere). Radiative effects of clouds and aerosols, and optical phenomena. PREREQUISITES: MR3420, MR3520 or MR3522.

MR3570  OPERATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY ( 2 - 4 ).
Experience at sea acquiring and analyzing oceanographic and atmospheric data using state-of-the-art instrumentation. Integration of satellite remote sensing and other operational products with in situ data. Includes survey of instrumentation, pre-cruise planning, operations at sea and post-cruise analysis. PREREQUISITES: OC3240, MR3220, or consent of instructor.

MR3610  MODERN CLIMATOLOGY ( 4 - 0 ).
An introduction to physical climatology and its applications. This course examines Earth's climate system, especially major long-term global and regional patterns, and the physical processes that create them, with focus on the application of physical climatology to solve operational DoD problems and analyze and forecast climate variations at intraseasonal and longer time scales. Emphasis placed on support of military operations, past, present and future. PREREQUISITES: MR2200, MR/OC3321 and MR3480.

MR4240  COASTAL METEOROLOGY ( 3 - 1 ).
Mesoscale circulations of the coastal atmosphere are examined from theoretical, observational, and model perspectives. Thermally-driven circulations, orographically-driven circulations and mesoscale circulations due to the interaction of synoptic-scale weather systems with coastlines are studied to develop useful conceptual models of coastal meteorological phenomena. PREREQUISITES: MR4322, MR3234 taken concurrently or consent of instructor.

MR4241  MESOSCALE METEOROLOGY ( 3 - 0 ).
Descriptive and physical understanding of subsynoptic-scale weather systems including fronts, squall lines, mesoscale convective systems, tornadoes, etc., and their relation to the synoptic-scale environment. Applications to short-range and local-area forecasting utilizing satellite and numerical-model products relevant to mesoscale weather phenomena. PREREQUISITES: MR3230, MR4322 with consent of instructor.

MR4242  ADVANCED TROPICAL METEOROLOGY ( 3 - 0 ).
Theories and observations of tropical motion systems. Equatorial wave theory; stratospheric biennial oscillation; tropical intraseasonal oscillations; monsoon circulations; tropospheric biennial oscillation; El Nino and Southern Oscillation; other climate variations. Tropical cyclone dynamics; influence of environmental flow on formation and motion; advanced models and forecasting of tropical motion. Emphases among these topics will depend on the interest of the students. PREREQUISITE: MR3252 or consent of instructor.

MR4250  ATMOSPHERIC GENERAL CIRCULATION ( 3 - 0 ).
The observed circulation. Zonal mean and eddy motions. Balances of momentum, heat and moisture. Energetics.  Maintenance of circulation. Zonally asymmetric circulations. Other selected topics of the general circulation of the atmosphere. PREREQUISITE: MR4322 and consent of instructor.

MR4262  ADVANCED METEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION (3 - 2).
The course requires previous weather forecast experience and covers advanced forecasting topics. A sample of topics covered include dust forecasting, orographic precipitation, mountain waves and downslope winds, cold-air damming and coastal frontogenesis, marine fog and stratus, ocean wind waves and swell, thunderstorms, and others. The focus is on the mesoscale aspects of forecasting and how to appropriately use observational and model tools for short-range to longer range forecasts of these phenomena. Hands-on practical forecast labs and briefings are used to demonstrate and practice the theory and techniques covered in the lectures. PREREQUISITES: Experience equivalent to completion of MR3262, MR3234 and MR3522.

MR4322  DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY ( 4 - 0 ).
Pressure coordinates, quasi-geostrophic scale analysis, perturbation method; solutions of equations of motion for sound, gravity and synoptic waves; baroclinic and barotropic instability; energetics; geostrophic adjustment. PREREQUISITES: MR3420, MR/OC3321, calculus and ordinary differential equations.

MR4323  NUMERICAL AIR AND OCEAN MODELING ( 4 - 2 ).
Numerical models of atmospheric and oceanic phenomena. Finite difference techniques for solving hyperbolic, parabolic and elliptic equations, linear and nonlinear computational instability. Spectral and finite element models. Filtered and primitive equation prediction models. Sigma coordinates. Objective analysis and initialization. Moisture and heating as time permits. PREREQUISITES: MR4322, OC4211, partial differential equation, MA3232 desirable.

MR4324  ENSEMBLE PREDICTION SYSTEMS ( 3 - 2 ).
Operational weather prediction is currently evolving from a deterministic forecasting focus, based on single-solution numerical weather prediction output, to a focus on ensemble-based forecasting. This course introduces the fundamentals of chaos theory (as the scientific basis for ensemble forecasting), describes the behavior of an ideal vs. a practical ensemble, and covers details of the various components of an EPS. The course goal is to develop weather officers knowledgeable in EPS capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, etc. so that the DoD can effectively incorporate the technology into its weather support process.

MR4325  WEATHER FOR WARFIGHTER DECISION MAKINGW ( 3 - 2 ).
The current weather support method of providing quality deterministic forecasts for decision processes adds substantial value, but is fundamentally limited by omission of forecast uncertainty information. Knowing forecast uncertainty (a measure of predictability) allows operators to weigh the risks posed by weather, and, when used properly, make significantly better decisions that substantially increase combat capability. This course introduces decision science, compares decision support using deterministic vs. stochastic forecasts, and explores various aspects of generating and communicating stochastic forecasts for optimal decision making. The course goal is to give weather officers a fundamental understanding of decision making with stochastic weather forecasts so that they may lead the paradigm shift within the DoD.

MR4331  ADVANCED GEOPHYSICAL FLUID DYNAMICS I ( 3 - 0 ).
Advanced topics in the dynamics of the atmosphere and the oceans including scale analysis; geostrophic adjustment; dispersion, and barotropic and baroclinic instabilities. PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor.

MR4332  ADVANCED GEOPHYSICAL FLUID DYNAMICS II ( 3 - 0 ).
Normal mode and baroclinic instability; frontogenesis; boundary layer analysis with application; finite amplitude baroclinic waves; symmetric instability. PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor.

MR4413  AIR-SEA INTERACTION ( 4 - 0 ).
Fundamental concepts in turbulence. The atmospheric planetary boundary layer, including surface layer and bulk formula for estimating air-sea fluxes. The oceanic planetary boundary layer including the dynamics of the well-mixed surface layer. Recent papers in air-sea interaction. PREREQUISITE: MR/OC3150 and OC3240 or MR4322, or consent of instructor.

MR4414  ADVANCED AIR/SEA INTERACTION ( 3 - 0 ).
Advanced topics in the dynamics of the atmospheric and oceanic planetary boundary layers. PREREQUISITE: MR/OC4413 or consent of instructor.

MR4415  ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE ( 3 - 0 ).
Approaches for defining the structure of the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer. Review of statistical descriptions of atmospheric turbulence; averaging, moments, joint moments, spectral representation. Equations for turbulent regime in a stratified, shear flow. Scaling parameters and similarity theories for surface layer profiles, spectra; Kolmogorov hypotheses, Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. Measurement of atmospheric turbulence. Examination of observed spectra and scales of atmospheric turbulence. PREREQUISITE: MR/OC3150 or consent of instructor.

MR4416  ATMOSPHERIC FACTORS IN ELECTROMAGNETIC AND OPTICAL PROPAGATION (3 - 0).
Principles of microwave and optical wave propagation in the atmosphere. Effects of surface and boundary layers on propagation: refraction, scattering, attenuation, ducting, etc. Addresses existing environmental effects assessment models. PREREQUISITE: MR/OC4413 or MR4415 (may be taken concurrently).

MR4520  TOPICS IN SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING ( 3 - 0 ).
Selected topics in the advanced application of satellite remote sensing to the measurement of atmospheric and oceanic variables. PREREQUISITE: MR/OC3522.

MR4800  ADVANCED TOPICS IN METEOROLOGY (Variable credit 1-0 to 4-0.) ( V - 0 ).
Advanced topics in various aspects of meteorology. Topics not covered in regularly offered courses. The course may be repeated for credit as topics change. PREREQUISITE: Consent of Department Chairman and instructor.

MR4900  DIRECTED STUDY IN METEOROLOGY (Variable credit 1-0 to 4-0.) ( V - 0 ).
Directed study of selected areas of meteorology to meet the needs of the individual student. PREREQUISITE: Consent of Department Chairman and instructor. Graded on Pass/Fail basis only.

Last update :  March 28, 2008