Skip to Main Content

ATMOS1000

Download as PDF

ATMOS1000 - Greatest Snow on Earth (3 cr)

Atmospheric SciencesSC - College of Science

General Education Program Learning Outcome

Persist in Addressing Complex Problems

Physical Science Exploration (PS) - GE Course-Level Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the General Education Physical Sciences requirement, students will be able to:

  • Explain scientific methods: Explain science as a process and as a way of understanding the physical world;

  • Understand: Demonstrate understanding of matter, energy, and their influence on physical systems;

  • Evaluate: Evaluate the credibility of various sources of information about science-related issues; and

  • Apply: Describe how the Physical Sciences utilize their foundational principles to confront and solve pressing local and global challenges, shaping historical, ethical, or social landscapes in the process.

Anticipate the weather and snowfall at your favorite resort or backcountry ski area using basic meteorological knowledge and computer-model forecasts

Apply knowledge of the snow climates of Utah, western North America, the European Alps, Japan, South America, and New Zealand to plan a ski vacation

Describe how climate change will affect the future of snow, ice, mountain sports, and culture in Utah and around the world

Identify the processes or phenomena (cloud, radiation, and wind) that affect the weather and snow in complex terrain

Summarize the evidence supporting Utah's claim to the Greatest Snow on Earth

Apply basic and applied knowledge through completion of a capstone education, research, or work experience

Apply measurement principles, numerical and statistical analysis methods, and a high-level structured programming language to investigate atmospheric processes and environmental problems

Avoid some of the mental traps that lead to poor decision making during backcountry travel

Be prepared for higher-level education or to embark on a career with skills adaptable to evolving opportunities in the workforce

Demonstrate how basic understanding of the atmosphere can be applied to diverse interdisciplinary applications

Demonstrate understanding of core concepts in the atmospheric sciences involving fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, radiative transfer, and air chemistry

Demonstrate understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities expected of scientists

Interpret avalanche hazard forecasts

Possess the ability to communicate in both written and oral forms with peer and lay audiences using scientific evidence