MT1ITMNU: Introduction to Meteorology

Module code: MT1ITMNU

Module provider: Meteorology; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Chris Westbrook, email: c.d.westbrook@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Bob Plant, email: r.s.plant@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Xiao Zhang, email: xzhang@nuist.edu.cn

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces key concepts in atmospheric science and a wide range of topics in meteorology. It also provides skills in interpreting meteorological data.

This module aims to provide the student with a basic understanding of atmospheric structure and composition, the observational network which is used to monitor atmospheric variables, the relationship between atmospheric pressure and wind patterns, and the characteristics of extratropical cyclones. It aims also to provide knowledge and understanding of global mean seasonal patterns of atmospheric variables and their inter-relationships as well as the basic nature of selected weather disturbances and climate phenomena. Additionally, it introduces the forecasting of atmospheric phenomena. Through the practicals, this module aims to introduce and develop skills in the analysis of meteorological observations. With the individual essay assignment, this module aims to introduce and develop transferable skills in communication (writing, presentation, and referencing) and research (critical analysis).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe and explain the basic structure and composition of the atmosphere, the nature and significance of observational networks, the relationship between atmospheric pressure and wind patterns and the characteristics of extratropical cyclones.
2. Analyse surface and upper air observations to identify fronts, depressions and anticyclones. 
3. Describe the underlying physical mechanisms of selected weather phenomena including El Niño, hurricanes, the polar vortex, and boundary layer turbulence, as well as basic features of weather forecasting and climate change.
4. Conduct a simple literature search and use standard academic referencing when writing an essays.

Module content

• Atmospheric composition and structure.
• Observing the atmosphere.
• Atmospheric humidity and clouds.
• Atmospheric pressure and wind patterns, air masses, extratropical cyclones.
• Synoptic observations and isobaric charts, frontal analysis, weather systems analysis.
• Global seasonally averaged patterns.
• Introductions to climate change, the stratosphere, boundary layer meteorology, tropical meteorology and numerical weather prediction.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching consists of in-person lectures, synoptic laboratory practical exercises, enquiry-based learning activities within lecture periods, and group and self-study to prepare for writing the assessed essay.

Two 1-hour seminars on searching the academic literature, referencing and plagiarism will be provided. 

The in-person teaching is supplemented by online learning through recommended materials such as webpages and published papers.  

Study hours

At least 64 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Frontal analysis

Reassessment

Additional costs