NATS 1005 Meteorology Syllabus

Syllabus Section 01 Spring 2010

Lecture: 11:00 – 11:50 MWF S245

Lab:
Section 11 12:00 – 1:40 W     S250
Section 12 12:00 – 1:40 M      S250
Section 13 12:00 – 1:40 T       S250

Teaching Scientist: Ed Wehling ‘Ed’ or ‘Professor Wehling’

Office: S208

Office phone: 763-433-1174

Email: ed.wehling@anokaramsey.edu

Office hours: M:10:00-10:50 T: 2:00-2:50
W:10:00-10:50 F:10:00-10:50 12:00-12:50

Textbook: Aguado & Burt, Understanding Weather and Climate 5th edition--Textbook is NOT required!

Course Manual: Available in the bookstore.
Course manual IS required! [Spring 2010 version]

How are grades determined?

Your grade in the course is primarily based on your performance on the exams. Your labs can improve your course grade.

    Course grades               Grade
          >81%                         A
       69-81%                         B
       57-69%                         C
          <57%                          F

    Exam average               Grade
          >81%                         A
       69-81%                         B
       57-69%                         C
          <57%                          F

    # labs passed       Points added              Increase
    (out of 14)            to best exam             in course grade
       13                          20                            .38 letter grade
       12                          15                            .28 letter grade
       11                          10                            .19 letter grade
       10                            5                            .09 letter grade
         9 or less             fail class

What are lecture classes like?

During most of each class period I will be explaining the physical processes of Meteorology.
I will be writing on the board.
I will be showing images. These images are available on eReserve. You are responsible for the information we discuss on images that are marked with *.
We will be applying what we learn to the current weather.
We will be analyzing the current weather and doing forecasts.
Topic outlines for the course are available.
Attendance is not required for lectures.

What are lab classes like?

Attendance
--Lab attendance is required to complete the course objectives.
--The lab meets for the entire 100-minute time period listed in the schedule. You may not always spend 100 minutes in lab, but be prepared for it.
--You must attend the lab in which you are enrolled.
--There are no makeup labs.
Late to lab
--If you are more than 10 minutes late for a lab, you will not be allowed to participate.
--Everyone has circumstances that result in their being late once in a while. However, repeated tardiness will not be tolerated. If you are regularly late to lab, you may not be allowed to participate.
Course manual
--You must have a Fall 2009 copy of the course manual to participate in lab.
Clothing
--Be prepared to go outside each week. Many labs have an outdoor component.
Equipment highly recommended. All of these are available at the bookstore.
--Pencil
--Pen
--Eraser (separate eraser)
--Colored pencil
Lab grading
--The labs will be graded pass/fail.
--The first time that you turn in an unacceptable lab writeup, you will receive a warning. The lab will be counted as a pass if you have no further unacceptable labs.
--If the lab writeup is significantly incomplete, you will receive a failing grade for the lab.
Lab meetings
--Labs meet every day that classes meet, with the following exceptions:
   --There will be no labs during finals week.
   --There will be no required labs on the following dates. Instead, these times will be study sessions open to all students:
      --Tuesday, Jan. 19        12:00-1:40
      --Wednesday, Jan. 20   12:00-1:40
      --Tuesday, Feb. 16        12:00-1:40
      --Wednesday, Feb. 17   12:00-1:40
Lab objectives
--To give you the chance to experience and learn about Meteorology in a low-stress, hands-on, non-lecture environment.
--To allow you to work with others.
--Many students expect that the purpose of the lab is to enhance and clarify topics presented in lecture. This is NOT the objective of most labs.

What are exams like?

Exams are based entirely on material presented in lecture and in the Course Manual.
Exams consist of long answer questions and multiple choice questions. [Example long answer questions: Describe how ocean currents contribute to poleward heat transport. How is the structure of a severe thunderstorm cloud different than a non-severe thunderstorm cloud?]
The lowest score among the first 5 exams will not be included in your exam average. Everyone counts the 6th exam.
There are no makeup exams.
The exam dates for this semester are:
--Exam 1 Friday, January 29
--Exam 2 Friday, February 19
--Exam 3 Friday, March 12
--Exam 4 Monday, April 5
--Exam 5 Monday, April 19
--Exam 6 [final exam] Tuesday, May 11
11:50-1:00 S245 (same room)
The final is not cumulative.

How to be successful in this course

Read the advice from previous students.
Attend class.
Pay attention in class.
Take good notes.
Write down more than what I write on the board.
Know the web site.
Study more than just the day or two before the exam.
Do more than go over your notes when you study.

Appropriate behavior in class

Be courteous

Do not socialize in the classroom
--That means no talking!
--If this is a problem, you may be:
   --asked to be quiet
   --kicked out of the classroom
   --given an assigned seat to minimize class disruptions
   --and more
Try not to be late to class.
--Everyone is late once in a while. If you are late:
   --Enter the classroom through the back door.
   --Find a seat near the back of the classroom so that you minimize disruption of the class
   --Be courteous and quiet.
--If you are often late, you may be:
   --invited to a private chat with the professor
   --given an assigned seat to minimize class disruptions
   --and more
Don't pack up early.

Odds and ends

No laptops without the professor's permission.
No recording of class without the professor's permission.
If you have alternative testing needs, you must discuss this with me by Wednesday, January 20. If you do not, you may not receive credit for the first exam.
If you want to take the course pass/fail, you must notify me by Wednesday, January 20.
All students are expected to adhere to standards of academic honesty as specified in the Student Conduct Code. Violations of the Student Conduct Code may result in penalties as severe as expulsion from the college.

Teaching Philosophy

Students are adults
--No games, no busy work
--Students are responsible for their success
--Students are expected to behave and not disrupt class
Learning goals of the course
--Learn skills you will need the rest of your life such as learning how to:
     --learn
     --listen
     --take notes
     --organize your thoughts
     --figure out what you know and don't know
     --seek help
     --communicate effectively
     --be successful
Meteorology Goals of the course
--Understand, interpret, and describe to others physical processes that cause weather phenomena, including clouds, frost, dew, precipitation, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms, winds, and humidity.
--Recognize, understand, and interpret the terminology, symbols, and tools used by meteorologists and use them to predict the weather, including maps, numerical models, satellite, and radar.
--Focus on Minnesota weather processes
--Interpret and analyze charts, graphs, maps, tables
Respect
--I expect that we will all respect each other.
--I will respect you by:
   --starting class on time
   --ending class on time
   --providing clear expectations about
      --grading policies
      --exam dates
      --topic outlines
      --expected behavior

Topics of the course

The views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Meteorology Natural Science 1005