GEOG 2630L - Weather Lab
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 40404,
Credit hours: 1
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dawna Cerney
Email: dlcerney@ysu.edu
Course Description
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The Weather Laboratory is a hands-on companion to the Weather (Geog 2630) lectures and are designed to reinforce the concepts presented in that course. Through field observations, weather instrument measurements, map interpretation, data analysis, laboratory experiments, and the use of meteorological technologies, students investigate the processes that control Earth's atmosphere and weather systems. Students develop practical skills in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting atmospheric data while examining topics such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, clouds, precipitation, air masses, weather fronts, severe weather, and climate patterns. Emphasis is placed on scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and the application of meteorological principles to real-world environmental issues and weather events.
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The course presents science-based frameworks and evidence used within the disciplines of geography and weather. The instructor does not seek to challenge personal beliefs or alternative ways of understanding the Earth, nor to persuade students that scientific explanations are the only valid perspectives.
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*This is a geography course
“The (Geography) Degree helps develop a whole range of employability skills including numeracy, teamwork through regular field trips, analytical skills in the lag and a certain technical savviness through using various specialist computing applications. Also, the subject area in itself cultivates sensitivity. Those all potentially help a geographer to stand out in the labor market.” (White 2010)
“Moreover, a national 2018 survey of employers found that only around 40 percent say that recent college graduates exhibit professionalism, a good work ethic, and have decent oral and written communication, and only 33 percent say that recent graduates possess leadership skills. This is particularly concerning given that soft skills and their combination with technical skills are becoming more important than ever.” (Christos Makridis, 2020)
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Introduction. In Physical geography lab manual: The atmosphere and biosphere | Pidwirny, M. | |
| Required | Introduction to meteorology: An OER laboratory manual | Soriano, Z. J. |
The following laboratory manuals are is used in this course:
Pidwirny, M. (2021). Introduction. In Physical geography lab manual: The atmosphere and biosphere. BCcampus Pressbooks. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/physgeoglabmanual1/front-matter/introduction/
and
Soriano, Z. J. (n.d.). Introduction to meteorology: An OER laboratory manual. Pressbooks. https://saalck.pressbooks.pub/meteorologylab-wku/
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Syllabus | Introduction to Weather | Due: 8/31, 11:59pm - Syllabus Quiz |
| 8/31 | Physical Geography Lab Manual: The Atmosphere and Biosphere by Michael Pidwirny Lab 1 | Lab 1 - EARTH-SUN RELATIONSHIPS AND INSOLATION RECEIPT | Due: 8/31, 11:59pm - Syllabus Quiz |
| 9/7 | Physical Geography Lab Manual: The Atmosphere and Biosphere by Michael Pidwirny Lab 2 Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 2 |
Lab 2 - HEAT AND TEMPERATURE IN THE ATMOSPHERE | Due 9/7, 11:59pm - Lab 1 - EARTH-SUN RELATIONSHIPS AND INSOLATION RECEIPT |
| 9/14 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 3 | Lab 3 - AIR TEMPERATURE | Due 9/14, 11:59pm - Lab 2 - HEAT AND TEMPERATURE IN THE ATMOSPHERE |
| 9/21 | Physical Geography Lab Manual: The Atmosphere and Biosphere by Michael Pidwirny Lab 3 | Lab 4 - ATMOSPHERE COMPOSITION, PRESSURE, AND CIRCULATION | Due 9/21, 11:59pm - Lab 3 - AIR TEMPERATURE |
| 9/28 | Physical Geography Lab Manual: The Atmosphere and Biosphere by Michael Pidwirny Lab 8 | Lab 5 - ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE AND PRECIPITATION | Due 9/28, 11:59pm - Lab 4 - ATMOSPHERE COMPOSITION, PRESSURE, AND CIRCULATION |
| 10/5 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 4 | Lab 6 - HUMIDITY, CONDENSATION, AND CLOUDS | Due 10/5, 11:59pm - Lab 5 - ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE AND PRECIPITATION |
| 10/12 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 5 | Lab 7 - CLOUD DEVELOPMENT AND PRECIPITATION | Due 10/12, 11:59pm - Lab 6 - HUMIDITY, CONDENSATION, AND CLOUDS |
| 10/19 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 6 | Lab 8 - AIR PRESSURE AND WINDS | Due 10/19, 11:59pm - Lab 7 - CLOUD DEVELOPMENT AND PRECIPITATION |
| 10/26 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 7 | Lab 9 - ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATIONS | Due 10/26, 11:59pm - Lab 8 - AIR PRESSURE AND WINDS |
| 11/2 | Physical Geography Lab Manual: The Atmosphere and Biosphere by Michael Pidwirny Lab 4 | Lab 10 - MID-LATITUDE CYCLONES, WEATHER MAPS, AND FORECASTING | Due 11/2, 11:59pm - Lab 9 - ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATIONS |
| 11/9 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 9 | Lab 11 - WEATHER FORECASTING | Due 11/9, 11:59pm - Lab 10 - MID-LATITUDE CYCLONES, WEATHER MAPS, AND FORECASTING |
| 11/16 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 10 | Lab 12 - THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOES | Due 11/16, 11:59pm - Lab 11 - WEATHER FORECASTING |
| 11/23 | Introduction to Meteorology: An OER Laboratory Manual by Zachary J. Suriano Lab 11 | Lab 13 - HURRICANES | Due 11/23, 11:59pm - Lab 12 - THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOES |
| 11/30 | Physical Geography Lab Manual: The Atmosphere and Biosphere by Michael Pidwirny Lab 5 | Lab 14 - CLASSIFICATION OF GLOBAL CLIMATES | Due 11/30, 11:59pm - Lab 13 - HURRICANES |
| 12/7 | Final Exam Week | None | Due 12/07, 11:59pm - Lab 14 - CLASSIFICATION OF GLOBAL CLIMATES |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.