The 12-credit Synoptic Meteorology capstone sequence is required for the B.S. in Meteorology at USA. The course encompasses the equivalent of three separate courses offered in other Meteorology programs. It is a traditionally structured lecture/lab, where concepts are introduced in lecture, practiced as a homework assignment, and then applied daily to real-time weather situations in lab. Traditionally, a tenure-track faculty member leads the lecture, and co-leads the lab with an instructor. In 2024-2025, we introduced a third faculty member to familiarize him with the course, and decided to offer it as a Learning Community (LC). To our knowledge, this is the first time a LC approach has been used for multiple courses within a single discipline, and at the senior level. We will present specific examples of the ways that the LC allowed us to blend individual faculty expertise, participate more fully in all phases of the course, and enhance the overall student learning experience.
