Apr 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

SUNY Oneonta offers students more than 1,400 courses—from Accounting to Zoology—from over 25 separate departments. Requirements for majors and minors and course descriptions are listed under the departments that offer them; and these departments are arranged in alphabetical order. See the “Course Index” for details.

Please note that requirements, courses, and course descriptions are subject to change after publication of this catalog. Contact the appropriate departments for updated information. Also note that some course descriptions have been edited for clarity and consistency. Complete descriptions are available from the instructors or the departments concerned.

Key to Course Descriptions

Abbreviation   Meaning
(PACT)   Activity course in Health & Fitness
(LA)   Liberal Arts (course is a Liberal Arts offering)
SUSF   Sustainability Focused Courses
AWR   Advanced Writing Requirement (pending)
s.h.   Semester Hour(s)
SoS   Sophomore standing
JrS   Junior standing
SrS   Senior standing

Course Numbering System

001 - 099   No credit; usually developmental in nature.
100 - 199   Lower-division undergraduate-level courses.
200 - 299   Upper-division intermediate undergraduate-level courses.
300 - 499   Upper-division advanced courses.
500 - 699   Graduate-level courses.
 

Meteorology
  

  • METR 110 - Introduction to Meteorology 4 s.h.

    The physical processes of the atmosphere as they produce weather phenomena; weather elements, condensation and precipitation processes, air masses, fronts, winds, circulation systems, severe storms; interpretation of weather maps; laboratory experience. Offered Fall and Spring.
    LA
    NS3
  

  • METR 111 - Introduction to Climatology 3 s.h.

    An introductory course (without lab) for both non-science and science majors examining the fundamentals of climate science. The first part of this course includes an overview of climate variables: Energy, Moisture, Pressure and Wind. The second part of the course then examines the effects of land, water, and ice surfaces on weather and climate patterns, classification and description of climates around the world, atmospheric teleconnections such as El-Nino Southern Oscillation, and climate change and variability. Pass/Fail Option. Offered every fall.
    LA
  

  • METR 212 - Climate Change and Variability 3 s.h.

    The nature of different types of climates and the mechanisms producing them. Topics include the atmosphere’s energy and hydrologic cycles, global circulations, air masses, monsoons, lake effects, climate classification, and climatic change. Offered Spring only.
    LA
    BC3
    Prerequisite(s): METR 110  or METR 111 . 
  

  • METR 240 - Physical Climatology 3 s.h.

    Introduction to the physics underlying climatological processes, focusing mainly on the Earth’s climate system, the structure of climate, atmosphere-ocean-land interactions, radiation physics, and the physics behind climate change. Designed for climatology students who have taken foundation courses in Math and Physics. Offered every other spring.
    Prerequisite(s): METR 110  or METR 111  ;MATH 223  ;CHEM 103  or CHEM 111 ; and PHYS 103   or PHYS 203 .
  

  • METR 290 - Computer and Data Analysis in Meteorology 3 s.h.

    This course is intended for sophomore meteorology majors to develop the tools and skills necessary for success as atmospheric scientists. It covers the basic data formats that are used to communicate meteorological data, basic observational skills, an introduction to the basic physical properties of the atmosphere, and methods of analyzing those data in meaningful ways. This course will also feature an emphasis on the computer skills necessary to ingest, display, and analyze meteorological data to help ensure success in the remainder of the upper-division meteorology curriculum. Offered Fall only.
    LA
    Prerequisite(s): METR 110 .
  

  • METR 340 - Physical Meteorology 3 s.h.

    In this course, students will learn about the fundamental physical principles that govern the internal workings of the atmosphere. Topics will include studying the physical structure of the atmosphere, the thermodynamics of dry and moist air, and the fundamentals of cloud and precipitation formation. A-E only. Offered Spring only.
    LA
    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 203  and MATH 224 . 
  

  • METR 345 - Clouds and Precipitation Processes 3 s.h.

    This course develops an advanced understanding of how the physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere influence cloud and precipitation formation, as well as how clouds in turn affect the properties of the atmosphere and climate. This course will be offered every other year.
    Prerequisite(s): METR 240  and METR 361 .
  

  • METR 350 - Atmospheric Dynamics 3 s.h.

    The study of atmospheric motions in terms of fluid flow concepts, including advection, divergence, vorticity, and circulation. Atmospheric motions are also studied as solutions to the primitive equations. Applications to weather patterns are emphasized. Offered Fall only.
    LA
    Prerequisite(s): METR 340 .
  

  • METR 351 - Research Methods in Dynamics 3 s.h.

    A continuation of METR 350  with research applications in dynamic meteorological principles (with topics such as air mass advections, temperature tendencies, droughts/floods). Methodological practices are emphasized as well as a semester-long research investigation that complements a formal write-up of the analysis and findings. Semester concludes with professional presentation of the work and conclusions. A-E Only. Offered Spring only.
    LA
    AWR
    Prerequisite(s): COMP 100 ; and METR 350  or METR 386 . 
  

  • METR 360 - Weather Analysis and Forecasting I 4 s.h.

    Synoptic mechanisms as applied to daily weather forecasting and climate analysis. Fundamentals of surface and upper air processes, cyclone formation, air mass and jet stream effects. The use of forecast and diagnostic weather maps. The weather conditions associated with governing categories of weather systems patterns. Laboratories involve coding, plotting, and analyzing meteorological data, constructing charts, and forecasting. Offered Fall only.
    LA
    Prerequisite(s): METR 110  or METR 111 , and MATH 223 .
  

  • METR 361 - Weather Analysis and Forecasting II 4 s.h.

    Principles given in METR 360  are applied to forecasting of severe weather conditions and use of satellite and radar observations. The construction of computer forecast models is studied for identification of systematic errors. Also covered are lake effect and broadcast meteorology. Laboratories cover specialized forecast techniques and media weather presentation. Offered Spring only.
    LA
    Corequisite(s): METR 351 .
  

  • METR 375 - Mesoscale Meteorology 3 s.h.

    This course will examine weather related phenomena that occurs on the mesoscale. Subject matter will include, but not be limited to local circulations, upslope/downslop flows, thunderstorm evolution and morphology, severe storm analysis, and frontal rainbands. Course will emphasize qualitative as well as quantitative analysis. It is expected that this course will be offered every fall. Offered Fall only.
    Prerequisite(s): METR 340  and METR 350  and MATH 224 .
  

  • METR 380 - Atmospheric Radiative Transfer 3 s.h.

    This course will cover radiative transfer in the Earth’s atmosphere. The physical processes of solar radiation and terrestrial radiation will be applied to the atmosphere. Further study of these processes as applied to remote sensing systems will follow. Finally, the computational aspects of radiative processes as applied in climate change and general circulation models will be covered. The course is intended for upper-division meteorology majors only. A-E only. Offered every year.
    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 203  ”C” or better and MATH 224  ”C” or better and METR 340 .  
  

  • METR 381 - Radiative Transfer in the Climate System 3 s.h.

    This course is intended for students with an extensive background in climatology and atmospheric science and will examine how radiation interacts with various surfaces in the Earth System. The course begins with the fundamentals of electromagnetic radiation, then examines properties such as reflection, refraction, absorption and transmission across various surface types. Special attention is given to how radiative processes are applied in global climate models and how the Earth’s energy budget changes in a changing climate. Offered every other spring.
    Prerequisite(s): METR 240 . 
  

  • METR 385 - Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere 3 s.h.

    Intended for meteorology majors, this course will familiarize students with current atmospheric remote sensing technology and theory. Included are satellite images, wind profiler data, lightning detection and radar, including Doppler Radar Theory and image interpretation. This is a non-lab course, but exercises using current and archived images will be performed. Juniors and Seniors should take this course. A-E Only. Offered Fall only.
    LA
    Prerequisite(s): METR 360 .
  

  • METR 386 - Advanced Climatology 3 s.h.

    This course is intended for students with an extensive background in climatology and atmospheric science and will examine climate and climate change over a variety of spatial scales. The course begins with an examination of how energy interacts with the surface and how turbulence and surface type affect the atmosphere on a small (micro) scale. Next, the course will cover synoptic climatology, regional patterns of high and low pressure systems and their effects on climate at a regional scale. Third the course will examine planetary-scale processes including Rossby waves and teleconnections. Lastly, the relationship between climate processes at various spatial scaled will be examined. Offered every fall.
    Prerequisite(s): METR 212 . 
  

  • METR 392 - Senior Seminar in Atmospheric Science 3 s.h.

    Intended as a capstone course for Meteorology majors. Review recent and classic developments in science, forecasting, and policy in the field of meteorology. Study classic research breakthroughs and significant recent advancements in atmospheric science. Class presentations and discussion, intended to hone communication skills, will be included to finalize students’ preparation as atmospheric scientists. Offered Spring only.
    Prerequisite(s): METR 351  and METR 361 . 
  

  • METR 394 - Special Topics in Meteorology 1 s.h. - 3 s.h.

    Selected topics of current meteorological interest not found in other courses. Subject matter varies each time course is offered, reflecting new developments in the field and changing interests of students and staff. Intended for meteorology majors.
    LA
    Prerequisite(s): JrS and prior course(s) in METR.
  

  • METR 397 - Internship in Meteorology 1 s.h. - 15 s.h.

    Students are placed with an appropriate organization or agency for applied work experience. Requirements and credits vary with individual internships.
    Prerequisite(s): JrS.
  

  • METR 399 - Independent Study in Meteorology 1 s.h. - 6 s.h.

    Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.
    LA
    Prerequisite(s): JrS and prior course(s) in METR.