• provide both a broader and deeper introduction to fundamental concepts in meteorology and oceanography than is typically provided in introductory, general education courses in meteorology and oceanography for non-science majors, and thereby serve as a bridge to upper-division, calculus- and physics-based meteorology and oceanography majors courses;
  
  
• introduce students of meteorology and oceanography to structured, quantitative, algebra-based physical problem solving; and
  
  
• partially fulfill classwork requirements for the American Meteorological Society's Broadcast Seal of Approval, for aspiring broadcast meteorologists.

METR 200 (like METR 201) is divided into two, roughly equal-length segments, and each segment is taught by a different faculty member with expertise appropriate to the topics covered in that segment. Broadly speaking, the topics in METR 200 include atmospheric physics, thermodynamics, and dynamics, with occasional references to the oceanic versions of these topics. (Oceanography and weather forecasting and analysis are covered more thoroughly in METR 201.)

We often will use current weather to illustrate physical principles discussed in class. To support this activity, METR 206, which is designed to familiarize students with the facilities of the Weather Graphics and Simulation Lab (WGSL), is corequisite with METR 200.

METR 200 emphasizes a quantitative approach to the subject, so we recommend that you bring an inexpensive calculator to class.

Class Attendance and Participation. We consider regular class attendance essential to your success and we strongly encourage you to interact with the faculty and the other students. Dr. Dempsey makes extensive use of in-class, small-group problem solving exercises as an instructional strategy, and your attendance and advance preparation is crucial for you to benefit from those exercises.

Topics Covered. In Dr. Dempsey's portion of the class, topics to be covered correspond roughly to those covered in Chapters 4, 5, 6, and part of 7 in the text, Meteorology (2nd Ed.), 2003, by Danielson, Levin and Abrams, though additional material not covered in the text will also be introduced. Topics likely to be covered include:

• humidity (picking up where Dr. Garcia leaves off)
• cloud types
• cloud formation
• atmospheric instability
• precipitation formation
• winds and forces (atmospheric dynamics)

Exams, Assignments, and Grades. Two faculty members (Drs. Garcia and Dempsey) teach METR 200, and the work you do for each will contribute 50% to your final grade. In Dr. Dempsey's portion of the class, the contributions to your overall score will be determined as follows:

However, if for some reason the assignments seem too difficult for the class, We reserve the right to grade on a curve instead, which should effectively raise the grade for many people.