Meteorology
Course Syllabus
Course Number: GeoSci 2420-30
Term: Jan 17, 2007 - May 9, 2007
Instructor: Jim Walters e-mail: james.walters@dyess.af.mil
Day Phone: 696-1739 Evening Phone: 690-1311
Credit Hours: 4
Meetings: Wednesdays & Fridays: 6 pm - 8:55 pm (approx. 3 hrs. Lecture & 3 hrs. Lab).
Location: McMurry Campus,
Text: Meteorology Today by Ahrens, 7th Edition (required student purchase).
Supplemental Materials: Selected Video Tapes.
Course Description: This course will examine the solar impact on weather, derive and apply atmospheric
kinematics, comprehend the development of thermal wind, perform fundamental weather analysis, observe
radar meteorology, investigate the effects of air pollution. Students will practice current weather analysis
and short range weather forecasting using basic meteorological tools and information.
Prerequisites: Demonstrated knowledge of basic science and Algebra I.
Goals: This course is designed to assist the student in comprehending meteorological related endeavors by
providing an understanding and operational application of current meteorological concepts. This course
allows the student to look at problems of meteorological support for outdoor or weather related activities.
Upon completion of this course, the student should have a realistic knowledge of basic meteorological
concepts and weather related phenomenon. Students will make oral presentations and written reports on
assigned topics.
Performance Objectives: Upon course completion, students will be able to:
1. Recognize the layers of the earth's atmosphere and their significance.
2. Discuss solar influences on earth's atmosphere.
3. Discuss the development and movement of upper level systems.
4. Discuss the Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming, and its implications.
5. Develop the theory of the geothermal wind and explain how this applies to thickness lines and frontal
analysis.
6. Explain the development of the jet stream, thermal gradients, and wind shear patterns conducive to
clear air turbulence.
7. Identify via satellite photographs cloud patterns associated with the jet streams, fronts, and geographic
features.
8. Explain the synoptic conditions conducive to severe storm formation and describe the anatomy of a severe
thunderstorm with special attention to microbursts, gust fronts, and wind shear.
9. Describe the basic operations of weather radar; understand terms in the radar equation; discuss common
errors in scope interpretations, and classify precipitation patterns found on radar.
10. Plot a local area surface map; analyze it for pressure pattern, frontal systems, clouds, ceilings, visibility,
and frontal movement.
11. Understand the development of tornadoes and hurricanes. Know what actions are appropriate responses
to surviving both tornadoes and hurricanes.
12. Present oral reports, on weather related topics, to the class as specified by the instructor. A weather
synoptic briefing like a TV weather forecast may be substituted for a Final Exam. Instructions and data
provided by the instructor.
Grading:
Points
14 Chapter Tests (20 pts ea) 280
Weekly Homework (30/wk) 320
Topic Outline 100
Topic Presentation 200
Final Exam 500
Total Points 1,400
Extra Credit: Weather Project 100 additional points (See #8 in Policies.)
Grading Scale:
100 - 90% A
89 - 80% B
79 - 70% C
69 - 60% D
59% or less F
Policies:
1. Reading assignments and exercises are homework and must be completed prior to class each week to
promote cogent discussions.
2. Active classroom attendance and participation are essential to the successful pursuit of this course.
Your experiences may be a learning tool for others.
3. Missed work due to absences must be accomplished, see the instructor. Excessive tardiness, or three
consecutive absences without excusal is grounds for expulsion.
4. Honesty, academic integrity, and literary fidelity apply.
5. Deadlines are important. Please make yours, and I will, too.
6. Topic Presentation: Your presentation of a weather lesson on a relevant topic. Inform the instructor
of your presentation subject as soon as possible. A one page Outline with References is required no
later than Week 8. Current periodical literature, books, newspapers, or the Internet may be used.
Presentation length is 15-25 minutes. Visual aids, handouts, drawings, diagrams, etc. are highly
encouraged, but need not be expensive or fancy. Hand lettered transparencies or drawings are fine.
The presentations are due at the start of Week 10.
7. Exam requirements: Successfully complete a test for each Chapter.
8. Weather Project: Complete a weather related project outside of class. Example: Give your Topic
Presentation a second time to the Big Country NWA~AMS Weather Club (100 pts. extra credit).
Guest Lecturer: Local TV weather forecaster, or available person.
Field
Trips: Local
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Course Topics:
Week 1 - Jan 17, 2007: Introduction to Course
- Lecture 6-9 pm:
-- Discuss course & administrative requirements.
-- See examples of historical weather impacts on human events.
- Jan 19, 2007: Introduction - The Earth and Its Atmosphere.
-Read: Ahrens, Chapter 1. Do Questions for Review (end of chapter) #3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, & 20.
Do Questions for Thought #1 & 3. Do Problems and Exercises #1 & 2.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss course & administrative requirements.
--Discuss Chapter 1.
Week 2 - Jan 24, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Air Pressure Demo, computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 1.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 1 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
- Jan 26, 2007: Energy: Warming the Earth & Its Atmosphere.
-Read: Ahrens, Chapter 2. Do Questions for Review #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 15, & 16.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 2.
Week 3 - Jan 31, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Melting Ice Cap Demo, Wavelength Demo, computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 2.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapters 1 & 2 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
-Participate in Weather Challenge game in class (time permitting).
- Feb 2, 2007: Seasonal & Daily Temperatures.
-Read: Chapter 3. Do Questions for Review #1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 13, 16, 18, 19, & 26.
Do Questions for Thought #3, 4, 8, & 9. Do Problems and Exercises #6.
-Take Exam for Chapters 1 & 2.
-Lecture & Lab 7-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 3.
Week 4 - Feb 7, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: VCR tape "Global Warming," computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Chapter 3 Homework Questions.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 3 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
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- Feb 9, 2007: Light, Color, & Atmospheric Optics.
-Read: Chapter 4. Do Questions for Review #1, 2, 4, 10, & 11.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, & 12.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 4.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 4.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Flashlight & Foil Demo, computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapters 3 & 4 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
-Participate in Weather Challenge game in class (time permitting).
Week 5 - Feb 14, 2007: Atmospheric Moisture.
-Read: Chapter 5. Do Questions for Review #7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, & 19.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 2, 3, 4, &, 11. Do Problems and Exercises #4 & 6.
-Take Exam for Chapters 3 & 4.
-Lecture & Lab 7-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 5.
- Feb 16, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 5 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 5.
Week 6 - Feb 21, 2007: Condensation
-Read: Chapter 6. Do Questions for Review #4, 9, 13, 15, 18, 19, & 21.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 2, 6, 10, 13, & 16. Do Problems and Exercises #2.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 6.
- Feb 23, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: 2 Liter Fog Demo, VCR tape "Cloud Formations," computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapters 5 & 6 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 6.
Week 7 - Feb 28, 2007: Stability and Cloud Development
-Read: Chapter 7. Do Questions for Review #2, 7, 8, 11, 14, 18, & 20.
Do Problems and Exercises #1, 2, 3, & 4.
-Take Exam for Chapters 5 & 6.
-Lecture & Lab 7-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 7.
- Mar 2, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Soda Can Demo, computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 7.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 7 Lesson Objectives (class handout). Page 4
Week 8 - Mar 7, 2007: Precipitation.
-Read: Chapter 8. Do Questions for Review #1, 4, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, & 20.
Do Questions for Thought #5, 7, & 12. Do Problems and Exercises #1, 3, & 4.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 8.
--Submit 1 page outlines for Topic Presentations.
-Mar 9, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: VCR tape "Rain/Floods," computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 8.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapters 7 & 8 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
-Participate in Weather Challenge game in class (time permitting).
Spring Break - Mar 14 & 16, 2007 (no class)
Week 9 - Mar 21, 2007: The Atmosphere in Motion.
-Read: Chapter 9. Do Questions for Review #3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, & 18.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 3, 6, 8, 9, & 13.
Do Problems and Exercises #2.
-Take Exam for Chapters 7 & 8.
-Lecture & Lab 7-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 9.
-Mar 23, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 9.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 9 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
-Participate in Weather Challenge game in class (time permitting).
Week 10 - Mar 28, 2007: Wind: Small-Scale & Local Systems.
-Read: Chapter 10. Do Questions for Review #1, 4, 6, 10, 13, 14, 20, 21, & 26.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, & 12. Do Problems and Exercises #1 & 2.
-Take Exam for Chapter 9.
-Lecture & Lab 7-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 10.
--Topic Presentations.
- Mar 30, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: VCR tapes "Dust Bowl" & "Blizzard of '78," computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 10.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 10 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
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Week 11 - Apr 4, 2007: Wind: Global Systems.
-Read: Chapter 11. Do Questions for Review #3, 4, 5, 7, 13, & 14.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 4, 6, 8, 9, & 10. Do Problems and Exercises #2, & 3.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 11.
--Topic Presentations.
--Analyze the meteorological conditions of several major airline accidents
(Air
--Comprehend the different hazards to aviation and understand their causes
(i.e. thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, low level wind shear).
-Apr 6, 2007: No Class – Good Friday
- Apr 11, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: VCR tape "Out of the Blue," Crash Transcripts, computer lab, weather Internet sites,
& topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 11.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapters 10 & 11 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
-Participate in Weather Challenge game in class (time permitting).
Week 12 - Apr 13, 2007: Air Masses & Fronts.
-Read: Chapter 12. Do Questions for Review #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, & 15.
Do Questions for Thought #2, 3, 4, 5, 7, & 8. Do Problems and Exercises #1 & 2
(Hint for #2: 1:200 slope is a 1 ft rise every 200 ft. Also, 1 knot = 1 nautical mile/hr = 6,076 ft/hr.)
-Take Exam for Chapters 10 & 11.
-Lecture & Lab 7-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 12.
--Topic Presentations.
- Apr 18, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 12.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 12 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
Week 13 - Apr 20, 2007: Weather Forecasting.
-Read: Chapter 14. Do Questions for Review #2, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, & 17.
Do Questions for Thought #1 & 2. Do Problems and Exercises #2.
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 14.
--Topic Presentations.
- Apr 25, 2007:
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: Computer lab, weather Internet sites, & topic research.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 14.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapters 12 & 14 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
-Topic Presentations (last night for presentations - 10% penalty after this week!). Page 6
-Participate in Weather Challenge game in class (time permitting).
Week 14 - Apr 27, 2007: Thunderstorms & Tornadoes.
-Read: Chapter 15. Do Questions for Review #4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, & 24.
Do Questions for Thought #1, 7, & 9. Do Problems and Exercises #2 & 3.
-Take Exam for Chapters 12 & 14.
-Lecture & Lab 7-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 15.
- May 2, 2007: Thunderstorms & Tornadoes (Cont'd)
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm: VCR tapes "Sky on Fire" & "Tornadoes," Tour Local TV
Station Weather Studio (times to be announced).
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 15.
-Student Outcomes: see Chapter 15 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
-Participate in Weather Challenge game in class (time permitting).
-Topic Presentations (10% late penalty!).
Week 15 - May 4, 2007: Thunderstorms & Tornadoes (Cont'd)
-Lecture & Lab 6-9 pm:
--Discuss Chapter 15.
--Review Homework Questions for Chapter 15.
--Student Outcomes: Chapter 15 Lesson Objectives (class handout).
--Take Exam for Chapter 15.
- May 9, 2007: Last Class!
-Topic Presentations (10% late penalty!).
-Final Exams.
-Course Critique: 6-9 pm.
-No Lab.
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How to Write a Short Answer Essay: Sample Essay Question & Answer
Question: Explain how a duck floats.
Answer: There are 2 main reasons a duck can float.
1) Water displacement: The duck has a wide, flat belly & bottom. This enables him to displace
very little water when floating, compared to a submerged duck.
2) Oily feathers:
a) Oil floats on water and duck feathers have an oily coating, which adds to their buoyancy.
b) The oil also prevents the feathers from becoming water logged by trapping air pockets in the
feather. A water saturated feather has little trapped air.
Together, the duck's shape and oily composition maximize his buoyancy and minimize water displacement.
He can, therefore, float more efficiently than a chicken, and longer, too.
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For more information, contact Cherisse Flanagan, at 793-4880 or cflanagan@mcm.edu.
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