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PIERCE COLLEGE Department of Earth and Space Sciences ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE 101 INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER PROF. ROBERT J. SAGER SPRING QUARTER 2013 COURSE DESCRIPTION ATMOS 101 is a study of the Earth’s atmosphere, including the major variables and controls of weather and climate. Lab included. The course will cover the essential topics in meteorology including: solar radiation, temperature, air pressure, wind, clouds, precipitation, and storms. Environmental issues such as global climate change and air pollution will also be addressed. (5-units GER-NS) TEXTBOOK Ahrens, C. D. (2012). Essentials of Meteorology: An invitation to the atmosphere. (6thed). Belmont, CA: Thompson Brooks/Cole. GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE TEXT ASSIGNMENTS A. INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER, SOLAR ENERGY AND TEMPERATURE Earth’s atmosphere - composition and structure Solar radiation and warming the Earth Atmospheric light, color, and optics Air temperature EXAM 1 (Week 4) Chap. 1 Chap. 2 Chap. 15 Chap. 3 B. AIR PRESSURE, WINDS, AND GLOBAL CIRCULATION Air pressure and winds Global atmospheric circulation Global climate change EXAM 2 (Week 6) Chap. 6 Chap. 7 Chap. 13 C. ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE Humidity, condensation, and clouds Cloud development and precipitation Air pollution and acid rain EXAM 3 (Week 8) Chap. 4 Chap. 5 Chap. 14 D. WEATHER PATTERNS, FORECASTING, AND STORMS Air masses, fronts, and middle-latitude cyclones Weather forecasting Thunderstorms and tornadoes Hurricanes and tropical weather EXAM 4 (Week 10) Chap. 8 Chap. 9 Chap. 10 Chap. 11 2 CLASS AND OFFICE Classroom and Lab: Rainier RAI-235 (Item #3004) Lecture: 11:00-11:50 am, MTWTh. Lab: 1:00-2.50 pm, W Office: Rainier RAI- 236 Office hours: 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, MTTh, 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm W, and 11:00 am to 12:00 noon F, and by appt. Phone: (253) 964-6671 E-mail: [email protected] COURSE OBJECTIVES Apply the scientific method and the metric system to meteorology. Demonstrate an ability to use critical thinking to be able to differentiate between scientific facts and opinion. Appreciate the complexity of Earth’s atmosphere, and its variety of weather and climate. Describe the basic Earth-Sun relationships, including rotation, revolution, and seasons. Explain the role of solar radiation in the Earth’s heat balance. Discuss the major controls of temperature and contrast temperature in the three major temperature scales. Define barometric pressure and explain its relationship to daily weather changes, wind, and global circulation patterns. Discuss, diagram, and contrast cyclones and anticyclones. Discuss the possible major natural and human causes of global climate change. Identify by observation, the major cloud types and discuss their formation conditions. Distinguish the four major types of precipitation and the weather conditions that produce each. Describe the movement of water through the hydrologic cycle. Demonstrate how to measure humidity and its relation to dew point and condensation. Recognize and describe the major forms of air pollution and the causes of acid rain. Diagram a mid-latitude cyclone model and describe the role of air masses and fronts within the system. Compare and contrast mid-latitude cyclones, tornadoes, and hurricanes in terms of geographic location, formation conditions, size, and natural hazard potential. Summarize the role of weather satellites, radar, radiosondes, and computer models in weather forecasting. Discuss the seasonal weather patterns and regional climates of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. Demonstrate the ability to access weather and climate data from the Internet. 3 COURSE WEBSITES The instructor’s courseS website: http://sager.pageout.net will give you general meteorology and atmospheric science course information and provide web links. Textbook online learning center: http://earthscience.brookscole.com/ahrens/ess6e National Weather Service Home Page: http://www.noaa.gov Pierce College Library: http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/library/ COURSE POLICIES Course Grade: The course grade is based on the 100% scale (of 500 total points) and includes exams, quizzes, laboratory exercises, and attendance. Grade scale: Letter % Numeric A A- 95-100% 90-94 3.9-4.0 3.5-3.8 B+ B B- 86-89 82-85 79-81 3.2-3.4 2.9-3.1 2.5-2.8 C+ C C- 75-78 70-74 66-69 2.2-2.4 1.9-2.1 1.5-1.8 D+ D 63-65 60-62 1.2-1.4 1.0-1.1 (1.0 = Lowest Passing Grade) F below 60% 0.0 Examinations and Quizzes: There will be four scheduled exams on each of the four major topic headings in the course syllabus. All exams are listed by Weeks 4, 6, 8, and 10, and the exact date will be announced one week prior to the exam. Bring a Scantron form, #2 pencil, and blank sheet of paper to each exam. Objective and essay questions may be given. Each exam will cover approximately three to four textbook chapters, several laboratory exercises, and related classroom activities. The lowest score of one of the first three exams will be dropped. One missed exam will be considered the lowest score and dropped. Exam 4 is required to complete the course. There are no make-up exams. (100 points each, total = 300 points). There will be several announced map and laboratory quizzes (100 points). Laboratory Assignments: 4 There are a minimum of ten (10) laboratory assignments (10 pts each = 100 points), including classroom lab activities, outside observations, data from your Internet research. Lab meets from 1:00-2:50 pm Wednesday, in Rainier 235. Late lab assignments may be downgraded 2-points per day. You must attend lab and complete the lab assignments to pass the course. Weekly laboratory assignments include: 1. Length of daylight observations 2. Metric system conversion of weather and climate data 3. Temperature controls and Earth-Sun relationships 4. Internet sources for weather and climate data 5. Researching the Internet for air pollution and climate change data 6. Isobar and wind mapping 7. Humidity measurements, hydrographs, and rainfall mapping 8. Cloud observations and identification 9. Air masses, fronts, and middle-latitude cyclones 10. Tornadoes and hurricanes Class Expectations and Participation: The expectation is that you will attend class and participate in class discussions, assignments, and laboratory exercises, and that we will all respect the viewpoints of others. Failure to attend class can have negative consequences for your grade. You are responsible on exams for material covered in class lecture, discussions, laboratory exercises, videos, slide presentations, study guides, as well as the assigned chapters in the textbook. Much of what is discussed in class cannot always be found in the textbook. You are encouraged to ask questions, make relevant comments, and provide personal environmental experiences in the classroom when appropriate. The instructor expects all students to maintain a class where everyone can learn. Please try to arrive on time and do not leave early. Also, no loud visiting or use of mobile/cell phones during class. Food is not allowed in science laboratory classrooms, however, you may bring something to drink. Attendance Policy: “Regular attendance is vital to student success in this course. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, handouts, and class announcements from a classmate. Five (5) absences are allowed without penalty. More than five absences may lower your final course grade by 5%.” Emergency Procedures: For life-threatening emergencies call 911 and then Campus Safety 964-6751. In the event of an emergency evacuation, gather your personal belongings and leave the building using the nearest safe exit. Be prepared to be outside for a minimum of an hour and stand a minimum of 200 feet from any building or structure. Do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed. Should a class be cancelled, it is your responsibility to complete all readings and assignments on time.