METR 2013: Introduction to Meteorology I

START:
January 15, 2018
DURATION:
T R 8:30-9:45
ID:
METR 2013.010

INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. Martin stands before a background of large rocks
Martin, Elinor
Associate Professor, Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies

Address

120 David L Boren Blvd., Room 5930   View map

Categories

Spring 2018

METR 2013.010: INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY I
TR 8.30am – 9.45pm NWC 5930
Spring 2018

Instructor: Dr. Elinor Martin
Office: NWC 5642
Phone: (405) 325-7392
Email: elinor.martin@ou.edu
Office Hours: TR 10.15-11.30am & by appointment
Course Website: canvas.ou.edu

Course Prerequisite: MATH 1823 (C or better)
Course Co-requisite: METR 2011, MATH 2423, PHYS 2514 or 1205.

Course Description:
Introduction to physical meteorology including the composition and vertical structure of the atmosphere, temperature, heat transfer, solar and terrestrial radiation, radiative balance, seasonal and daily temperatures variations, atmospheric moisture, heat and moisture indices, cloud formation and cloud types, atmospheric stability, cloud microphysics, weather radar and precipitation systems. The topics will be covered as time permits.

Course Goals:
The overall goal of this course is for the student to gain a broad conceptual and mathematical understanding of concepts related to physical meteorology and to be prepared for advanced courses in the School of Meteorology.

Learning Outcomes:
The School has prescribed a set of Knowledge Expectations that students should obtain from this course. These can be found at http://som.ou.edu/content/pdf/ke_2013.pdf.

Texts and Materials:
Required: Meteorology Today: An introduction to weather, climate, and the environment. 10th edition or newer; C. Donald Ahrens. Descriptive text emphasizing concepts and terminology.

Recommended:
Practical Meteorology. An Algebra-based survey of atmospheric science. Roland B. Stull. Mathematically based text for understanding derivations and applying concepts. Free e-book available.
Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey. J. Wallace and P. Hobbs. Great text for the mathematically inclined, used in later courses as well.

Final Grade:
The course grade will be determined by:

Participation 5%
In class quizzes & Worksheets 5%
Homework 25%
3 Mid-Terms (15% each) 45%
Final Exam (comprehensive) 20%

FIRST MID-TERM EXAM – 13 February
SECOND MID-TERM EXAM — 13 March
THIRD MID-TERM EXAM— 19 April
FINAL EXAM — Tuesday 8th May 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm NWC 5930

Learning Activities and Assessment:
Participation:
Credit will be given for in class participation so attendance is required but not sufficient for full credit. Students will be given credit for asking/answering questions in class, participating actively in group work and activities, contributing to the canvas discussion boards, and completing
participation logs. Calculators are required in class.

In Class Quizzes & Worksheets:
There will be one quiz per “section”, with four quizzes in total. In-class quizzes will be a combination of multiple choice questions, matching, and conceptual questions. Worksheets will be used periodically for problem solving.

Homeworks:
The homework will be a combination of quantitative and qualitative problems. Please note the following guidelines for homework:
• Write legibly – If I cannot read your answer it won’t be graded.
• Staple all pages together
• Write your name, homework # and course & section number (METR2013.010) in the upper right hand corner of each page.
• Show ALL your work. Solutions should be logical, detailed and explicit. Sufficient detail must be included to indicate significant steps toward the final answer. Show the process you went through to solve the problem. This way, if an error is made, partial credit can be given.
• Always write the equation used, any assumptions and constants used in the solution clearly.
• You must carry units through for each equation, canceling or combining units as appropriate.
• Final answers should be clearly marked for each problem (underlined, put in a box), with units and an appropriate number of significant digits.

Exams:
Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions covering quantitative and qualitative aspects of the lecture material, in class quizzes/activities and homeworks. Mid-terms will not be comprehensive but the final exam is comprehensive. You will be allowed one 4” x 6” index card in each exam that must be turned in with the completed exam.

Additional Support for Learning
I hope that each student is successful in mastering the material. The school has no quotas or limits on advancement. I strongly encourage students to be proactive in seeking outside tutelage as necessary as much of the material will be covered at a rapid pace.

A student-run help desk is available for meteorology classes through the Student Affairs Committee. I highly suggest taking advantage of this in addition to the instructor. The Math Center has tutors available for students needing additional math support.

Course Policies
Attendance: Attending every lecture is expected. Not attending class will be a detriment to your understanding of the material and impact your grade through the in-class quizzes/activities.

Late Assignments: Assignments are due in class on the date indicated. Late assignments will not be accepted after one week late without prior approval of the instructor. Non-approved late work is subject to a 5% reduction of the grade per day the work is late.

University Policies
Academic Integrity
All students are expected to conform to college-level standards of ethics, academic integrity, and academic honesty. By enrolling in this course, you agree to be bound by the Academic Misconduct Code published in The University of Oklahoma Student Code (www.ou.edu/
studentcode/OUStudentCode.pdf). For further clarification please see: www.ou.edu/provost/ integrity-rights/.

Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Students requiring academic accommodation should contact the Disability Resource Center for assistance at (405) 325-3852 or TDD: (405) 325-4173. For more information please see the Disability Resource Center website http://www.ou.edu/drc/home.html. Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities.

Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on call 24/7. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Sexual
Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8 to 5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7). Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office. For more information, please see http://www.ou.edu/eoo.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your professor or the Disability Resource Center at 405-325-3852 as soon as possible. Please see http://www.ou.edu/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for answers to commonly asked questions.