Department
of
Meteorology
Special
Announcement
Meteorology 297B
Meteorology, Business and the Environment
Spring
Semester 2004;
3 credits
Tues & Thurs from 9:45 to 11:00 a.m.
Instructor:
Prof. Dennis W. Thomson
Contact:
thomson@ems.psu.edu
Purpose and Content
Exciting
professional opportunities in the atmospheric sciences are growing in
a number of weather- and environment-sensitive technology areas. Working
in these areas requires professionals who have an understanding of issues
in “human-scale” meteorology. That is, knowledge of the atmospheric
boundary layer and of the weather-sensitive phenomena at the earth’s
surface. In addition, people employed in these fields are expected to
have completed at least a minor-level of education in appropriate related
business, engineering or other environmental science courses. Some examples
of areas of opportunity include: management (from seed selection through
harvest) of agricultural crops and turf (golf course-type) grasses; forest
ecosystems and watershed management; wind energy, including problem areas
such as site selection and turbine design and operation; environmental
impact assessment for industrial permitting and monitoring purposes; emergency
response following accidental or other releases of hazardous and toxic
materials on local, regional and national scales; special problems in
marine meteorology and air-water exchange; weather-dependent disease vectors
for human and animal health; and environmental impacts of high animal
density agri-industries.
If your interests might include knowing more about “Meteorology, Business, and the Environment,” then consider enrolling next spring in our introductory course, Meteo 297B. The class is open to both meteo and non-meteo majors and has no prerequisites. For further information, feel free to stop by Prof. Thomson’s office (514 Walker) or e-mail him at thomson@ems.psu.edu.