New IBM PS/2 computers are being acquired to be used primarily in three undergraduate courses. The first course is an introductory course in atmospheric science and includes a three hour laboratory each week. It draws large numbers of non-technical students. The other two courses are advanced courses in climatology and meteorology, each requiring mathematical skills at the calculus level. The computers execute the PC-McIDAS software that has been developed under the Unidata program and sponsored by NSF. The software takes in a wide variety of real-time weather data, including satellite images, radar information, conventional meteorological data and forecast information. The PC-McIDAS is used extensively in the introductory course's laboratory sessions to exemplify a broad class of weather phenomena, and is also available for student special projects. In addition, other software will be adapted and written for the introductory and the advanced courses that will assist students in 1. developing mathematical skills, 2. understanding scientific notation, and 3. understanding a variety of physical problems by using simple models on the computers. The university will contribute an amount equal to the award.
