Learn About Weather Free Online Course by University of Exeter
University of Exeter, Met Office and Royal Meteorological Society are offering free online course on Weather. This course is for anyone looking for an introduction to the weather, as well as those with a particular interest in how weather affects photographers, gardeners and walkers.
In this four-week course, applicants will explore all things weather – from storms to climate – with this course that looks at the basic processes behind the weather. This course will start on September 11, 2017.
Course At Glance
Length: 4 weeks
Effort: 3 hours/week
Subject: Learn About Weather
Institution: University of Exeter, Met Office, Royal Meteorological Society and Future learn
Languages: English
Price: Free
Certificate Available: Yes
Session: Course starts on September 11, 2017
Providers’ Details
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university. It combines world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction.
Met Office
Working at the forefront of weather and climate science for protection, prosperity, and well-being.
Royal Meteorological Society
The Royal Meteorological Society is the professional and learned society for weather and climate.
About This Course
Ever wondered what the difference between a hurricane, cyclone and typhoon is? Or what a ‘front’ is? Or asked how weather warnings are issued? Maybe you’ve even spoken about the weather today. The weather is one of the most popular topics of conversation, yet not many of us actually know how it works.
Why Take This Course?
This is a free online course. This MOOC will be offered with Video Transcripts in English. Applicants can get a verified certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain how heat is redistributed around the Earth, including circulation cells, and how they affect the climate
- Describe the layers in the Earth’s atmosphere, including the troposphere in which most of our weather occurs
- Explain atmospheric buoyancy, and how a buoyant atmosphere can result in showers
- Describe the six main air masses which affect the UK including their characteristics
- Explain what a front is, and understand their differences and characteristics
- Interpret a weather chart (also known as a synoptic chart) to provide details about wind speed and direction, precipitation and cloud cover
- Describe the weather features associated with high pressure and low pressure, including named storms which impact the UK
- Explain how the National Severe Weather Warning System works
- Explain the difference between hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons
- Describe the different cloud types and explain how they can indicate changes in the weather
Requirements
This course is for anyone looking for an introduction to the weather, as well as those with a particular interest in how weather affects photographers, gardeners and walkers. You don’t need any scientific knowledge or past experience.
Instructors
Helen Roberts
My weather career has been incredibly varied, form working with the RAF, to presenting the weather on the BBC. I am currently a Media Advisor and Senior Operational Meteorologist at the Met Office.
How To Join This Course
- Go to the course website link
- Sign Up At FutureLearn
- Select a course and Join
- Once a course has started, applicant will be able to access the course material
- After the start date, students will be able to access the course by following the Go To Course link on My Courses page.
- Applicants can buy, to show that they have completed a FutureLearn course.
- On some FutureLearn courses, learners will be able to pay to take an exam to qualify for a Statement of Attainment. (These are university-branded, printed certificates that provide proof of learning on the course topic(s)).