BRAP, ATOC 1050, Weather and the Atmosphere, Spring 2015

Instructor Dr. Betsy C. Forrest Telephone: 303-735- 6332 E-mail: betsv@forresteducation.com (BEST EMAIL) or В etsv F orre st@C ol orado. EDU Office location: ATOC Department, Stadium 255, my office, #27

BRAP "office" location: I don't have an office in BRAP; however I will sit at the table in the BRAP lobby which is outside of Claire's office. If I'm not there, I will be in Cindy's office or in the BRAP conference room.

Textbook Essentials of Meteorology, An Invitation to the Atmosphere, 7

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Edition by C. Donald Ahrens, 2015. Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-285-46236-3

Communication Policy The BEST way to reach me is by e-mail at betsy@,forresteducation.com ! I will check this e-mail every day and will usually get back to you within 24 hours.

Instructor Bio Greetings all! I'm an instructor for the Baker Residential Academic Program (BRAP) and for the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) at the University of Colorado at Boulder. This semester I am teaching Geography (GEOG) 1982 and ATOC 1050 for BRAP. I'm also teaching Oceanography ATOC-GEOL 3070 for the ATOC department. I have a BA in Earth Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a BS in Meteorology from Metropolitan State University of Denver, and a PhD in Climatology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I've been an instructor at CU-Boulder for 18 years. I also teach online classes in meteorology for Metropolitan State University at Denver. My research interests are in paleoclimatology in particular the climate at the time of the Hypsithermal warm period (approximately 8500 to 5000 years before the present) in South Park, Colorado. It is thought that Native Americans living in the South Park area were forced by drought to move to higher, cooler, and more moist elevations during the Hypsithermal.

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Course Description ATOC 1050, Weather and the Atmosphere introduces principles of modern meteorology for nonscience majors with emphasis on scientific and human issues associated with severe weather events. It includes weather forecasting and the formation and impacts of blizzards, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and firestorms on humans and on our environment. Additionally we will have a brief introduction into climate which is defined as the average of the meteorological variables over a period of at least 30 years. Approved for GT-SC1. Meets MAPS requirement for natural science: non-lab. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural science.

Course Objectives 1. Define and explain the basic elements of the Earth's atmosphere (temperature, pressure,

humidity, light, etc.) 2. Apply your knowledge of the elements of the atmosphere to investigate interactions

between these elements. For example, what makes a "garden-variety" thunderstorm into a killer tornado?

3. Examine and apply your knowledge of these interactions to be able to predict weather phenomena. For example, when would you issue a tornado, hurricane, or blizzard watch/warning?

4. Examine and apply your knowledge to begin to understand how our weather impacts humans and the environment?

5. Finally, evaluate and assess how the summation of the basic meteorological elements over a period of at least 30 years defines our climates.

Course Overview This is a blended class which means you will have in-class instruction plus online activities. The online assignments include discussions, homeworks, and outside readings. Your online assignments will be on D2L. Exams will be in the classroom and they will cover material from all classwork and online activities.

1. Three in-class exams; Each exam is worth 100 points for a total of 300 points. The format of each exam will include discussion questions; fill in the blanks, matching, multiple choice and true/false. If you have to miss an exam for a valid, documented reason, I will double your next exam. For example, if you miss the second exam due to a valid, documented reason and you make an 85% on the third exam, you will have a grade of 85% for both the second and third exams. However, this can only be done if you miss an exam due to a valid documented reason. Last semester I had 2 students who took exams when they weren't feeling well and consequently their grades were not as good as they had hoped. After seeing the exam results, they asked me to "pretend they didn't take the exam" and to let them double the next exam. I refused as they elected to take the exam.

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2. Final Exam: The final will also have 50 questions but will be cumulative. It is worth 100 points. Your final exam is on Wednesday, May 6th at 1:30PM in our classroom. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure your parents know your final exam schedule when making plane reservations to go home. You cannot miss the final; however if you have 3 finals scheduled for the same day, you may reschedule your third final of the day:

"When students have three or more final examinations on the same day, they are entitled to arrange an alternative examination time for the last exam or exams scheduled on that day. When students have two final exams scheduled to meet at the same time, they are entitled to arrange an alternative examination time for the later course offered that day or week. Such arrangements must be made by the deadline which is March 20th, 2015. Students should make arrangements with the instructor of the affected course and are expected to provide evidence of

these situations to qualify for exceptions." ihttp://www.colorado.edu/policies/final-examination-policv')

4. Homeworks: You will have 4 homeworks and these assignments will be on D2L Each homework is worth 50 points for a possible total of 200 points.

a. Homework 1 is open from 12:00 AM, Monday, January 12th until Sunday, February 1 at 11:59 PM.

b. Homework 2 is open from 12:00 AM, Monday, February 2 until Sunday, February 22 at 11:59 PM.

c. Homework 3 is open from 12:00 AM, Monday, February 23 until Sunday, March 15th at 11:59 PM.

d. Homework 4 is open from 12:00 AM, Monday, March 30th until Sunday, April 19th at 11:59 PM.

Grading: You can earn a total of 600 points in this class. Here's the grading rubric:

600 - 540 = A 539 - 480 = В 479 - 420 = С 419-360 = D < 360 = F

There are no "A+s" A = 93% - 100% A- = 92% - 90% B+ = 89% - 87% В = 86% - 83% В- = 82% - 80% C+ = 79% - 77% С = 76% - 73% С- = 72% - 70% D+ = 69% - 67%; D = 66% - 63% D- = 62% - 60% F = <60%

Will there be a curve; Do I round final averages? If the FINAL class average is less than 77%, I will curve the entire class so that the class average is 77%. I will NOT curve individual exams or assignments. Yes, I do round the final averages, but your final average is your FINAL average. This means that even if you need one-tenth of a point to make a higher grade, I won't give it to you. Even if you need this class to graduate, to receive financial aid, your parents will refuse to pay for your college, etc. I will not

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break my grading rules. Therefore, if you do not do well on the first exam, make an appointment

with me. I'll go over the first exam with you. Many times I can help you improve! I'll also have

sample exams on the website to help you. However, YOU are responsible for the grade you

receive!

Two things you should know if you ask for a grade change: 1. Grade change requests must be granted by the Dean. I have to your write the rationale

for your grade change and the Dean will not accept that you need a higher grade because you'll lose your scholarship, etc.

2. The School of Arts and Sciences prohibits us from giving extra credit.

Problems? 1. Problems with D2L: I cannot help you with D2L problems. You should direct these

problems to the Office of Information Technology (OIT): http://www.colorado.edu/oit/

2. Problems with deadlines: The assignments (discussions and homeworks) are opened for one week. If you wait until the last minute and something goes wrong with D2L, please have OIT confirm the problem and next time don't wait until the last minute. Remember that you only have to participate in 5 out of 8 discussions and 4 out of 8 homeworks and budget your time accordingly - i.e. don't wait until the end of the semester to start your assignments.

3. Problems with illnesses and/or injuries: Email me a copy of a signed doctor's note if you have waited until the last minute to do an assignment and get sick or have an accident.

Course Policies: A. Class Policies

1. Class Attendance: You are responsible for coming to class. Do not expect to make an "A" if you don't attend class regularly as lectures contain information that is not on the slides.

2. Class Conduct: There are two rules: 1). Don't talk to each other during class; and 2). Turn off your cell phone! You and your fellow classmates have paid to take this class and I want everyone to have the opportunity to earn the best grade they can! You are all adults and I expect you to act accordingly. I have a right to ask anyone who is disrupting the class to leave.

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me in private of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at

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http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edU/studentaffairs/iudicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

B. Honor Code Policy

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu: 303-735-2273).

Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html.

C. Cheating and Plagiarism Policy

Cheating: If you cheat on any of the exams, you will receive a "zero" for that exam and I will report you to the Honor Code Office. Cheating is a serious offense that can result in a permanent "F", a letter in your permanent file stating the reason for the permanent "F", and/or expulsion.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as the use of another's ideas or words without appropriate acknowledgment. You will receive a gl'ade of "zero " if you plagiarize. Examples of plagiarism include: failing to use quotation marks when directly quoting from a source; failing to document distinctive ideas from a source; fabricating or inventing sources; and copying information from computer-based sources, i.e., the Internet. For more information on all school policies, go to: http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/iudicialaffairs/code.html.

D. Policy for students with disabilities

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter either in private in person or via email as a PDF file to betsv@forresteducation.com from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact Disabilities Services by phone: 303-492-8671; visit their office at N200 Center for Community; or visit their webpage at www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices. I will do my best to accommodate you but I need to know what you require first © .

Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at www.colorado.edu/disabilitvservices

E. Policy for Observance of Religious Holidays

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please let me know via email or privately after the first class if you have to miss any assignments due to religious reasons. I will allow you to make up the work, but I need to know this at the beginning of the course. See

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full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html. A comprehensive calendar of the religious holidays most commonly observed by CU-Boulder students is at http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/

F. Discrimination and Harassment Policies

The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh

G. Concealed Weapons

"Concealed carry of firearms is permitted under Colorado law if you have a concealed carry permit. I would appreciate it if you would let me know this privately during the first week of class. You have my assurance that your concealed carry status will be kept confidential, and it will in no way affect your grade or evaluation as a student. I recognize you are under no obligation to supply me with this information." However, if I see your weapon, it isn't concealed and I will ask to leave class and/or a field trip.

Tentative Course Outline:

Week #1 Classes on Jan. 13, 15

Welcome! Introduction to the course, Critical Thinking, and Read Chapter 1 -The Earth's Atmosphere; Homework 1 opens Monday, January 12 and closes Sunday, February 1 at 11:59 PM.

Week #2 Classes on Jan. 20, 22

Chapter 1 continued; Read Chapter 2 - Warming the Earth and the Atmosphere

Week #3 Classes on Jan. 27, 29

Chapter 2 continued; Read Chapter 3 - Air Temperature.

Week #4 Classes on Feb. 3, 5

Review for Exam I on Thursday, Feb. 3rd; Exam I on Thursday, Feb. 5th on all work to date which includes critical thinking, Chapters 1 - 3 - both the Power Point (PP) slides and class notes, and Homework 1. Homework 2 is open from 12:00 AM, Monday, February 2 until Sunday, February 22 at 11:59 PM.

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Week #5 Classes on Feb. 10, 12

Chapter 4 - Read Chapter 4 - Humidity, Condensations, and Clouds.

Week #6 Feb. 17, 19

Chapter 5 - Read Chapter 5 - Cloud Development and Precipitation.

Week #7 Feb. 24, 26

Chapter 6 - Read Chapter 6 - Air Pressure and Winds; Homework 3 is open from 12:00 AM, Monday, February 23 until Sunday, March 15th at 11:59 PM.

Week #8 Mar. 3, 5

Chapter 7 - Read Chapter 7 - Atmospheric Circulations

Week #9 Mar. 10, 12

Review for Exam II on Tuesday, Mar. 10th Exam II is on Thursday, Mar. 12th

over all work since Exam I including Homework 2.

Week #10 Mar. 17, 19

Chapters 8 and 9- Read Chapter 8 - Air Masses, Fronts, and Mid-Latitude Cyclones and Chapter 9 - Weather Forecasting

Week #11 Mar 24, 26 NO CLASSES - Spring Break!

Week #12 Mar. 31, Apr. 2

Chapter 10 - Read Chapter 10 - Thunderstorms and Tornadoes; Homework 4 is open from 12:00 AM, Monday, March 30th until Sunday, April 19th at 11:59 PM.

Week #13 Apr. 7, 9

Chapter 11 - Read Chapter 11 - Hurricanes

Week #14 Apr. 14, 16

Review for Exam III on Tuesday, Apr. 14th; Exam III is on Thursday, April 16th over all work to date since Exam II including Homework 3

Week #15 Apr. 21,23

Chapters 12 and 13 - Read Chapter 12 - Global Climate and Chapter 13 - The Earth's Changing Climate

Week #16 Apr. 28, 30

Chapter 15 - Read Chapter 15 - Light, Color, and Atmospheric Optics

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM: Your final exam is on May 6th at 1:30PM in our classroom. The final exam will have approximately 50 - 60% of new material including Homework 4 as well as new material covered since the third exam.

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