University of Alberta

The Atmosphere, EAS 270

Sept.-Dec., 2006

Course Web Page: http://courses.eas.ualberta.ca/eas270/index.html

Instructor: Dr. J.D. Wilson

Office: Tory Room 2-105A

Phone: 492 0353

E-mail: jaydee.uu@ualberta.ca

Instructor's Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 11-12

Teaching Assistant: Tanya Prozny; Tory Room 2-104; prozny@ualberta.ca

TA's Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 11-12 and 1-2 pm

Lecture Room & Time: BioSci. Room BSM 145, MWF 1300-1350

Course Description: (3-0-0). An introduction to weather and climate. Atmospheric composition, temperature, humidity, wind, clouds; air masses, fronts, storms; weather forecasting. Weather map discussions. Prerequisite: Any 100-level Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry course, or EAS 100 or 102.

Course Objectives: Meteorology is a numerical science: atmospheric processes can be described mathematically to produce weather & climate forecasts, predict the spread of hazardous emissions (eg. Chernobyl), and so on. In this course the level of description is mostly qualitative, though we will use a few simple formulae and lots of symbols. The instructor's aim is to impart a broad, intuitive knowledge of atmosphere, weather and climate. We will focus on understanding processes, providing a qualitative causal understanding of weather phenomena. The will also be an introduction to weather analysis/maps by way of map discussions.

Lecture Schedule: courses.eas.ualberta.ca/eas270/schedule.html gives a schedule of significant dates and the breakdown of activities class by class. Over the following 37 class periods, we will cover the material of the textbook, less some excluded material listed in courses.eas.ualberta.ca/eas270/exclusions.html; thus there will be about two lectures per textbook chapter. About once per week, class will commence with a discussion of the previous day's weather: the analyses (maps of present weather), on which we identify weather systems and fronts; and the prognoses (computer generated forecasts). Maps will be placed on the web by 5 pm of the day before the lecture, and students are responsible for printing their own copies and bringing them to class.

Required Textbook: "Understanding Weather and Climate," by E. Aguado & J.E. Burt, 4th edition

Grade Evaluation

EAS 270 is a large second-year science class. It is therefore reasonable to expect the distribution of grades should lie close to the historical average grade-distribution for second year science courses. courses.eas.ualberta.ca/eas270/grading.html gives a history of the distribution of grades in EAS270, compared to the historical grade distribution for 2nd year science cources. I shall assign grades based on your total score (from 100) on term and exam work, as follows: The student having the highest score, receives a grade of A+. The student having the lowest score that I can regard as "passing," receives a grade of D. All students having scores intermediate between those best and worst-passing scores, receive grades in the range D to A+ (inclusive; 11 passing categories), with the boundaries between grades being adjusted to approximate the historical distribution of passing grades.

Resources: Textbook + instructor's Powerpoint files + any other handouts (maps etc., backed up on web) + your own notes.

Missed Term Exams and Assignments

There is no option to negotiate an altered date or time for quizzes and exams.

A student who cannot write the mid-term examination or complete a term assignment because of an incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for transfer of the associated grade-weight to the final examination. In such a case application for transfer of credit must be made within 48 h of the missed quiz/exam or assignment due date and must be supported by a completed University of Alberta Medical Statement Form or other appropriate documentation (Calendar section 23.4[3]). Deferral of term work is a privelege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.

Deferred Final Examination

A student who cannot write the final examination because of an incapacitating illness or is suffering from severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Such an application must be made to the student's Faculty office within 48 hours of the missed examination and must be supported by a completed University of Alberta Medical Statement Form or other appropriate documentation (Calendar section 23.5.6). Deferred examinations are a privelege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. Deferred exam will be written on Fri 16 February 2007.

Re-examination

A student who writes the final examination and fails the course may apply for a reexamination. Re-examinations are rarely granted in the Faculty of Science. These exams are governed by University (Calendar section 23.5.5) and Faculty of Science Regulations (Calendar section 182.5.9). Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a reexamination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.

Student Responsibilities

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: 'The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.'

All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offenses. Anyone who engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights. Any offense will be reported to the Senior Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken.

EXAMS: Electronic equipment other than calculators is not to be brought to exam.

CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars. Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students who require accommodation in this course due to a disability are advised to discuss their needs with Specialized Support & Disability Services (2-800 Students' Union Building).

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Academic Support Centre (2-703 Students' Union Building). Additional tutorial services are available through the Math & Applied Sciences Centre (www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/MASC/ ) - check website to see if this is applicable to your course.

Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.

"Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar."


Link to Earth & Atmospheric Sciences home page.



Last Modified: 8 Sept., 2006