An Interview with Dr . Lorenza Cooper
mosphere such as Venus , Mars , and Jupiter . Our
SCI137 , Introduction to Meteorology Course ( general science requirement ), investigates various phenomena of weather to include tornadoes , floods , fires , and hurricanes . The course is three credits , but if you include a lab component , the course is four credits .
For the more advanced we offer a course on
Atmospheric Dynamics . Thermodynamics is the movement of weather from one level to another ( temperature and wind ). It ’ s important to understand these fluctuations on a microscale ( 50 meters ) to a macroscale ( 5000 meters ).
What ’ s great about these courses is that there is a weekly discussion forum that helps students make connections to real-time weather occurrences . For example , the latest hurricane , storm , or blizzard can affect those who have careers in Health , Computer Science , STEM , and Business .
Dr . Wyatt : Who should enroll in these courses ? Are they for anyone , or just to those pursuing a degree in science ?
Dr . Cooper :
Introduction to Meteorology is open to everyone . This course fulfills an APUS general education requirement . I see students from a variety of majors enrolled in the course — including health , natural sciences , emergency management , transpor-tation and logistics , and fire science . Everyone can benefit from a diverse discussion that includes a variety of perspectives .
Dr . Wyatt : How can a certificate benefit someone in a closely related scientific field ?
Dr . Cooper : The possibilities are endless with an
APUS certificate in Meteorology . APUS has many fields of study , so this certificate compliments the stellar coursework offered at the University . The courses are more than just learning about the interdisciplinary implications of meteorology . They also provide critical thinking , practical research applications , and an evolved train of thought when it comes to the atmosphere .
Dr . Wyatt : What are the connections between weather and space , artificial intelligence ( AI ), hydrology , air quality , modeling , oceanography , and climate science ?
Dr . Cooper : Weather connects to just about every discipline . Let me give you a few examples . Artificial Intelligence ( AI ), can use data to create business forecasts models for energy security , solar energy , and wind energy . Many businesses will conduct a weather analysis to ensure the land is not in a flood plain before starting a construction project . Wind Farms conduct a similar analysis when searching for the best locations to create these farms . Understanding these trends over time is the very definition of climate science . Climate , which is weather over time , has never been stagnant , and continues to evolve . Water is the most precious resource , and hydrology can identify impacts when too much water ( flooding ) or too little water ( drought ) affects an area . More than 70 % of the earth is covered by water , so it ’ s also important to have oceanographers who an-
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