Richard Harwood's Courses

Meteorology 106

Meteorology 106
Course Syllabus - Spring 2017

Lenticular cloud formation indicating high speed winds, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile

Course Description

GEOG 106: Introduction to atmospheric science leading to a better understanding of day-to-day weather, including frontal systems and severe storms. 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: P1 905

Class Meetings

Building 2 Room 219
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday

Instructor

Richard Harwood

Office Hours

Monday-Wednesday-Friday 9:00-9:50 a.m., Monday-Wednesday 12:00-12:50 p.m., Building 2, Rm 266, Tel. 309-796-5271. To arrange a meeting at times other than those listed, talk to the instructor in class, or during office hours. E-mail: profharwood@icloud.com. Click here to see Richard Harwood's regular semester and finals schedule.

Course Schedule

Date Subject Chapter Assignments
Jan. 17 Introduction to Class: Outline, Expectations    
Jan. 19 •Scientific Method
•The Atmosphere
•Solar Interactions
1
2
Jan. 24
Jan. 26 Homework Assignment #1 (due 1/26)
Jan. 31  
Feb. 2 Exam I  
Feb. 7 •Temperature
•Atmospheric Moisture
3
4
Feb. 9
Feb. 14 Homework Assignment #2 (due 2/14)
Feb. 16  
Feb. 21 Exam II  
Feb. 23 •Condensation and Precipitation
•Air Pressure
4
5
Feb. 28
Mar. 2 Homework Assignment #3 (due 3/2)
Mar. 7  
Mar. 9 Exam III  
Mar. 14-16 Spring Break - NO CLASSES  
Mar. 21 •Atmospheric Circulation
•Air Masses
•Weather Patterns
7
8
9
Mar. 23
Mar. 28 Homework Assignment #4 (due 3/28)
Mar. 30  
Apr. 4 Exam IV  
Apr. 6 •Severe Storms
•Hurricanes
•Weather Analysis and Forecasting
10
11
12
Apr. 11
Apr. 13 Homework Assignment #5 (due 4/13)
Apr. 18  
Apr. 20 Exam V  
Apr. 25 •Air Pollution
•Climate
•Climates
•Global Warming
13
14
15
Apr. 27
May 2 Homework Assignment #6 (due 5/2)
May 4  
May 9
May 16 Exam VI - 10:15 a.m.  

The schedule is subject to changes during the semester. Students are responsible for keeping track of changes. The web page schedule will be updated when changes occur.

A detailed outline of each day's topics is available at the Lecture Material links on the course web page.

Text Book - Required

The Atmosphere, by Lutgens and Tarbuck

Web Page Study Materials

Lecture outlines, study material, additional information and reading material may be found on the BHC Meteorology Web Page under the Lecture Material link at the following URL:http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/geog106/index.htm

NOTICE: It is strongly recommended that students access, print out and read the lecture notes prior to attending class.

WARNING: The web page lecture notes are intended to be used to enhance and assist students in acquiring and learning the material presented in the lectures. They are designed to allow students to follow along and contribute to lectures without the need to write everything down in notes. The web page lecture notes, however, do not contain all of the material presented in class. The web page lecture notes are not a substitute for coming to lecture - attendance is required for successful completion of the course. The web page lecture notes alone will not see you through this course without attending lecture.

Students may access the Internet at any of the open computer labs on campus. Computers are available in the Independent Learning Center, Library and the Science Resources Lab (Rm 2-210). Students do not need an account or login name to access the Internet in these labs. Assistance is available in the labs for students that have never accessed material on the World Wide Web.

Exams

There are six exams. Each exam will be comprehensive. The majority of questions, approximately 90-80%, will cover material from the most recent lectures, with additional questions covering major topics, concepts and definitions from the previous sections and exams. Exams may not be taken before the scheduled exam time - no exceptions.

Exam Format

Each exam may contain one or more of the following items: multiple choice questions, true/false statements, matching, fill-in-the-blank statements, short essay topics, and full length essay topics. Students should read the Essay Policy prior to taking an exam.

Missed Exams

Missed exams will be made up by class time the first day that the student returns to class - no exceptions. For example, let's say you miss the first exam on Thursday, Feb. 2nd. You then come to the next class period on Tuesday, Feb. 7th. You would be required to take the exam at that time, during the class period. Failure to take the exam at that time will result in a score of zero. All missed exams will be taken in the ILC's Testing Center. Students may arrange to take the exam prior to the next class period, and are encouraged to do so. Contact the ILC for Testing Room hours.

Homework Assignments

Homework assignments will be due on the date indicated in the schedule above. Assignments turned in after the beginning of class are considered to be late. Late assignments will be accepted for credit. 10% will be subtracted from the score for each day that an assignment is late.

WARNING: These assignments will take time. Do not expect to be able to complete them just before the due date. Begin working on the appropriate sections as that material is covered in class. These homework assignments will help you learn and understand the concepts covered in lecture. If you are having difficulty with completing the problems, don't wait until the last minute, go see the instructor during office hours or the tutor in the Student Success Center in Building 1 for additional assistance.

Extra Credit

There are no extra credit assignments.

Grading

The final grade will be calculated according to the following percentages:
   Exams - 80%
   Assignments - 20%

Click here to use a Grade Calculator to figure out your grade in the course.

Grades

All grades will be assigned using the following scale:
   90-100% = A
   80-89% = B
   70-79% = C
   60-69% = D
   <60% = F
No incompletes (I) will be given for any reason.

My policy on grades is that you will receive the grade that you earn. I do not "give" grades, you earn them. The grade that you earn will be based upon your knowledge of the required material, your skills in the required activities and your participation, performance and attitude.

Attendance

Daily attendance is taken in this course. If you miss four lecture class hours, either consecutively or cumulatively, you may be officially withdrawn from the class for non-attendance. For additional information see the attendance policy section in the Student Handbook.

Missed Classes

I am not interested in hearing excuses for missed classes. Whether you are in class or not, you are responsible for all material and announcements presented in the lecture and lab sections. It is your job to make sure you have all of the current information. Missed assignments must be turned in by class time the first day that the student returns to class - no exceptions. Missed exams and lab practicals will be made up by class time the first day that the student returns to class - no exceptions. Failure to take the exam at that time will result in a score of zero.

Behavior

You are all adults and I expect you to have behavior appropriate to a college level class - this is not High School. The classroom environment should be professional and friendly. Anyone showing disruptive behavior will be asked to leave. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to: a) using profanities, b) intentionally damaging classroom or laboratory materials, c) using cellular phones (Cell phones are to be turned off during class, lab and exams), d) playing video games while the instructor is addressing the class, e) placing feet on the lab table tops while class is in session, f) excessive talking while the instructor is addressing the class, and g) creating an environment that is not conducive to learning for others.

Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Copying another's work, plagiarism and cheating on tests may be punishable by a failing grade on that assignment or exam, or a failing grade for the course - depending on the severity of the incident.

Recording of Lectures

Whether in analog or digital format, audio recordings, video recordings and still imagery of lectures and lecture materials are permitted for the express purpose of assisting the student in learning the course materials. The instructor must be notified if you are making recordings. Recordings are for the personal use of the student only. No recording may be copied, reproduced, transferred, shared, sold or distributed for any reason. Recordings may not be posted on the internet or any intranet, web site, blog, social media site or any other electronically hosted site. Engaging in any of the proscribed activities may result in the student receiving a failing grade, and may result in additional legal actions. For additional information see the "Use of Copyright Materials" section in the Student Handbook.

Food in the Classroom

I have no objection to your bringing food or drink into lecture or lab. However, it is your responsibility to clean up after yourself. Because other instructors and students use the classroom, don't leave your trash on the lab benches. Put all aluminum cans, plastic bottles and office paper in the proper recycling containers in the hall. Throw all other trash in the waste can in the classroom. If I find trash being left on the lab benches in lab or lecture I will ban all food and drink for everyone for the remainder of the semester.

Due Dates

You are responsible for knowing due dates and exam dates. They are on your syllabus, know them, even if they are not announced in class.

Class Preparation

I expect you to have read the lecture assignments prior to coming to class. Be prepared to discuss the material. A discussion requires at least two people that have read the material and are prepared to examine that information. A discussion with only one participant is a lecture.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1) Describe the dynamics of cyclogenesis and severe weather.
2) Describe the processes of condensation and precipitation.
3) Demonstrate an understanding of atmospheric circulation.
4) Analyze and interpret daily weather maps.
5) Identify and describe global climates and climate change.

Assessment of Student Learning

The following assessment methods, measures and techniques may be used during the semester to determine how well students are learning.

Background Knowledge Probes; Muddiest Point; Classroom Opinion Polls; Misconception/Preconception Check; Formal student evaluations; Group discussions and comments; Student research papers; Student oral presentations; Written exams; Questioning of prior material; Questioning and discussions during class periods; Analysis of individual student's comments, questions and answers to instructor questions during the class period; Analysis of additional activities for clarity, workability and content, based on student participation, questions, assignment answers and comments; Individualized tutoring for students.

Withdrawal from the Course

Students are strongly encouraged to talk with the instructor before withdrawing from the course to discuss your reasons for withdrawal, and to discuss options other than withdrawal. If you need to withdraw from the course for any reason, you may do so without instructor approval prior to completion of three-quarters of the course. Withdrawal from the course is the responsibility of the student. Students may either complete the Black Hawk College Add/Drop form or send a letter, fax, or email from the student's myBlackHawk account to the Registrar. After three-quarters of the course is completed, but no later than the last scheduled day of instruction, students must obtain instructor permission to withdraw from the course. Students may not drop the course after the last day of instruction. (see the Student Handbook for the official college policy on withdrawals)