THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE Senate Document Number 2197S Date of Senate Approval 3/20/97 Statement of Faculty Senate Action: Statement of Faculty Senate Action: --------------------------------------- APC Document 17: Curriculum Changes in Atmospheric Sciences Effective Date: Fall 1997 I. Change Computer Science Requirement for Major a. In Part II of Track in Climatology and Part II of Track in Weather Forecasting, on Page 74, change: CSCI 142 to: CSCI 142 or CSCI 201. b. Environmental Impact Statement: See memo signed by Dr. Brock, dated October 25, 1996. c. Rationale: Although federal agencies hiring our graduates prefer FORTRAN (CSCI 142) training, other groups are beginning to state a reference for C and C++ programming languages (CSCI 201). This change will allow more flexibility in the majors' preparation. II. Add New Course a. On Page 75: 223 Physical Climatology (3) Causes of spatial and temporal climate variation, with special emphasis on energy and water balance regions of the earth and its atmosphere. Consequences of anthropogenic climate change will be explored. Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or 105. Offered on demand. b. Environmental Impact Statement: None. This course is designed for majors, and is being taught with present staff. c. Rationale: This course was taught under ATMS Special Topic 273 in Fall 1996. Its offering is in response to a growing national interest in climate dynamics, and was requested by students. Elective suggested in Civil Service requirements. III. Add New Course a. On Page 75: 261 UNIX Applications in Meteorology (1) This course familiarizes students with the department's UNIX-based computer equipment. The basics of UNIX are presented, followed by instruction in the use of various data-processing and analysis packages, including Mosaic, Netscape, McIDAS and LDM. Prerequisite: ATMS 103 or 105. Course offered on demand. b. Environmental Impact Statement: None. Course designed for majors, and is presently taught by existing departmental staff. c. Rationale: This course has already been taught twice under ATMS Special Topic 271, in Fall 1995 and Fall 1996. To remain competitive, the ATMS majors should have exposure to UNIX-based systems. This was confirmed in October 1996, at a meeting of the Atmospheric Sciences Chairs in Boulder, where both private and government representatives stressed the necessity of this exposure in the field of meteorology. IV. Change Course Description and Number a. On Page 77, change the number and description of ATMS 460 from: 460 Agricultural Meteorology (3) Physical processes of microclimates; application of statistical and climatological principles to crop production, growing seasons, temperature and precipitation cycles. Prerequisites: ATMS 214; MATH 291; STAT 225. Course offered on demand. to: 303 Agricultural Meteorology (3) Physical processes of microclimates; application of basic statistical and climatological principles to crop production, growing seasons, temperature and precipitation cycles. Prerequisite: ATMS 214. Course offered on demand. b. Environmental Impact Statement: None. This is a major's course. c. Rationale: The level and number of prerequisites for this course were discussed by the faculty and found to be excessive.