Image from www.chaseday.com/tornadoes.htm.
Image from www.chaseday.com/tornadoes.htm.
Abstract: This report addressed Rossby wave theory by performing analysis on the zonal wind speed at 500 hPa, zonal wind speed between 300 and 150 hPa, average amplitude of waves, average wave speed, and wave number. Findings indicate that analysis performed was somewhat inconclusive. Some analyses agreed with Rossby theory while others did not, and overall correlation coefficient values were quite low.
Iowa State University meteorology majors develop capability in six knowledge and skill areas that are considered important for professional and graduate work:
Physics and Dynamics of the Global
Atmosphere
I have successfully completed Physics 221 and 222. These classes are Calculus-based physics involving the derivative and the integral. I have also successfully completed Meteorology 341 and Meteorology 342. These classes are Calculus-based atmospheric physics, which discusses the major principles of meteorology, and the important aspects of how the atmosphere is structured and its importance to meteorology.
I have also successfully completed Meteorology 443: Dynamics I and Meteorology 454: Dynamics II with good grades in these two classes.
In graduate school, I also completed Meteorology 543: Advanced Atmospheric Global Dynamics, with excellent grades.
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Application of New Weather Technologies
During my internship at the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa, I practiced using tools available to them. This includes extensive use of D-2D, GFE, and AWIPS. These tools have helped me to understand the equipment available to NWS personnel and to gain experience using these great tools.
I have also worked extensively with Gibson Ridge Level 2 and Analyst Editions. I have also worked with GR Level 3 as well.
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Weather Observing and Analysis
I successfully completed Meteorology 311, which is general synoptic meteorology. I have also worked with GEMPAK to obtain national meteorological data, as well as GARP, NMAP2, and NSHARP.
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I have completed Math 140, 165, 166, 265, and 266, and I have successfully completed a Mathematics Minor. This would include the following classes: Math 201, 301, and 307, which are Introduction to Mathematical Proofs, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra and Advanced Matrices, respectively.
I have also used MATLAB extensively to solve systems of linear equations. I have also used it to compute eigenvectors and eigenvalues of a matrix, row reduce a large matrix to row reduced echelon form, and computed the transpose and inverse of a given matrix.
In graduate school, I took Meteorology 516x, which employs MATLAB to model hydrologic processes and watersheds. In this class, I learned how to calibrate and validate the SACSMA hydrologic model. I also learned how to use the shuffle complex algorithm to determine the best values to calibrate hydrologic models.
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Computer Programming and Modeling
Computer programming:
I've created programs using Fortran 90. Some of the types of programs I have created include: functions, subroutines, modules, selective and repetative execution(DO loops and IF-ELSE IF constructs), arrays, and formatted input and output stuctures.
I also have years of experience with HTML. I have used style sheets, images, links, fonts, marquees, anchors, frames, etc. I got my start in high school from my HTML classes, and I have been using HTML ever since.
I am currently learning Python v.2.5.
For my Master's of Science from Iowa State University, I had to run the WRF ARW model to simulate convective initiation and run sensitivity test of convection to environmental influences. I am very experienced in building WRF ARW v.3.1.1, and running WPS and the WRF model itself.
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Effective Oral and Written Communication
Written communication: Excellent grades in English 150 and 250(English 104 and 105). The types of papers I did were: scholarly papers, descriptive papers, instructive papers, leisure papers, etc.
I have also successfully completed English 314: Technical Communications, with good grades. The class focused on a reader-centered approach for making papers easier to read and understand. The types of papers I did were: instructions, informational pages, memorandums, proposals, and a group project for assessing ergonomic standards of a campus computer lab. This includes preparing a report and a PowerPoint presentation for our findings.
Oral communication: Excellent grade in Speech Communication 212. The types of speeches I made were: persuasive, instructive, review papers, practice of job interviews, etc.
I have also completed a senior year research project. You can view it here.
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