Introduction to Weather and Climate

Geography 120

Department of Geography, Geology and Environmental Sciences

Spring 2017 Online

Syllabus and First Day of Classes Letter

Instructor: Jean P. Kowal

Office: Upham 108

Department Office: Upham 120

Office Hours: For this online class, you can reach me via email. I will usually respond within 24 hours. I have

regular office hours on Mondays 12:45 – 1:45, Wednesdays 11:15 – 1:45 – and by appointment

Office Phone: 262-472-1095 (messages may be left at this number)

Department Phone: 262-472-1071 (use this number for general information about the Department of Geography,

Geology and Environmental Sciences)

E-mail: kowalj@uww.edu

Prerequisite/co-requisite

Math 141 or a waver is a required prerequisite or co-requisite for this class. Additionally, curiosity about and respect for

the natural world will serve you well. A college level of ability in reading and writing, and reliable access to the Web are

assumed.

Course Overview

This course introduces students to the processes controlling and distinguishing weather and climate. Particular emphasis is

on data selection, interpretation, and analysis. The impacts of severe weather on humans are also emphasized. The labs

expose students to the wide range of weather and climate information currently available in texts and on the internet.

This course is an introduction to Earth’s atmospheric and climatic environments, focusing on features and processes and

how they affect your life. The discussion of the atmosphere will include energy, temperature, winds, humidity, and severe

weather. The discussion of climate will focus on the development of different types of climate, distribution of modern

climates, how these relate to broad patterns in the living environment, and climate change.

Course Goals and Objectives

The grandest goal of this course is to provide you with the tools you need to understand the physical world you live in,

specifically in reference to weather and climate. I want you to look outside at the weather and recognize the massive

atmospheric forces at play. I want you to be able to carry on a conversation about climate with an understanding of the

underlying processes that create the climate we have now and the climate we could have in the future. Essentially I want

you to be more aware and knowledgeable about weather and climate, how it relates to Earth as a whole, and how it fits

into the larger picture of your life. More specifically, I hope you leave this course able to:

1. Recognize the unique subject and methods in the study of physical geography, specifically as it relates to the

meteorological, atmospheric, and climatic disciplines.

2. Understand the processes and patterns of the weather and climate and how human actions impact and interact with

natural systems.

3. Have the skills to read, interpret, use, and analyze maps and graphs.

4. Have the skills to effectively select geographic methods, tools, and technology to accomplish specific geographic tasks.

5. Recognize trustworthy scientific resources.

6. Use adaptive career skills, including quantitative methods, written communication, self assessment, critical thinking,

and ethical judgment.

GL Goals and Objectives

After taking this course, students will be able to:

-Use a scientific process to answer a question.

-Critically evaluate scientific data presented in figures, tables, etc.

-When presented with a scientific study,

* Identify various components as appropriate (e.g., hypothesis, predictions,

observations, etc.)

* Draw and report conclusions based on the data presented or acquired.

* Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses or limitations of the study.

Kowal: UWW: Climate and Weather Syllabus and 1st day of classes information: Online: Spring 2017 2

Required Reading

Text: Climatology, Second Edition by Robert V. Rohli and Anthony J. Vega, Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2012

Assigned: You will be assigned to read many other articles and papers and to view several documentary videos. These are

available either through the web or on D2L.

Required Materials

Calculator, reliable computer and internet access (with a current internet browser), Microsoft Word and Excel, household

materials specified in individual labs (i.e. food coloring, a clear plastic or glass container, cardboard, etc.).

D2L (ALERT: DO NOT USE CHROME AS YOUR BROWSER FOR ACCESSING D2L. Many errors will occur

including assignments and quizzes being lost.)

D2L is an online course resource. All students enrolled at UWW have access to D2L. The connection is one of the

quicklinks on the top right side of the UWW homepage. The net-ID and password are the same as for the email account. If

you are not familiar with D2L you should go to the D2L page and connect to the section "Learn More About D2L". Many

of the elements of this class are accessed through D2L. You are expected to use the D2L features including quizzes,

online discussions, dropboxes, links and the grade book. If you have any problems with accessing D2L or using the

features, please contact the UWW help desk.

Grading

There will be a total of 450 possible points distributed as follows:

Component Points

Weather and Climate Discussions (6) 60

D2L Quizzes based on text material (6) 120

Laboratory reports (6) 120

Question sets based on D2L lectures, text material, D2L readings, videos (6) 60

Exams (3) 90

Total 450

Weather and Climate Discussions

Six topics for discussion are posted on the D2L Discussion Board. Each student is required to participate in the

discussions by making original posts and by reading and responding to posts by the other students in the class. For all of

the 6 discussions each student is expected to create 1 original post and to read at least 20 postings by other students. The

D2L report gives me these statistics and doing these two things will earn you 8 out of the 10 possible points. I will read

your postings to determine if they are of high enough quality to earn the last 2 points. When you read a post that you find

particularly interesting or compelling please comment on it. Ask questions or add your experiences or ideas. Check your

own postings to see if someone has asked you a question and respond as needed. With all discussion postings remember to

be respectful of your fellow students. Harsh language or snide criticism is never called for. Stick to honest but kindly-

expressed impressions and sincere questions.

These requirements are also listed in the introduction to each discussion. NOTE OF CAUTION: This has historically been

the part in the class where students lose the most points simply because they do not fulfilling the requirements. Please be

sure to not neglect this required component.

Laboratory Reports There are six 20-point labs that must be completed before a final grade can be issued for this course. The questions you

will answer are based on each lab exercise. Answers will include a significant writing component as well as a variety of

observations, data collections, internet explorations and hand-on experiments. Directions for turning in the labs appear on

the first page of each lab. It may take a bit of creativity on your part to get the lab turned in. In the past some students have

even taken photos of their lab experiments and reports and put them in the D2L dropbox for grading. All assignments do

need to be put in the D2l dropbox in one format or another.

Typically the late penalty is a 10% reduction in the total possible points for the assignment for each 24 hour

period or part thereof that has elapsed between the assignment due date and the time the completed assignment it is

submitted. The maximum penalty is a 50% reduction in the grade for any question set turned in more than 5 days late. All

six labs must be successfully completed and receive a passing grade before I will issue a final grade for the class.

Kowal: UWW: Climate and Weather Syllabus and 1st day of classes information: Online: Spring 2017 3

D2L Quizzes

There are six (6) quizzes, each worth 20 points. They are posted on D2L as shown in the schedule below. All quiz

questions are based entirely on the text and are open book. I even encourage you to take the quizzes with a classmate is

you know someone else taking the course this semester. There is one quiz to go with each lecture and, even though a quiz

may be opened, it should not be attempted until you have finished everything else associated with the chapter. Closing

dates for quizzes are the same as the other requirements for each lecture and are posted in the schedule below. If you have

ANY trouble taking a quiz notify me right away. While missed quizzes cannot be made up I have a policy of reopening

ONE missed quiz per student per semester. Contact me if you need to exercise this option.

Question Sets There are also six (6) 10 point Question Sets, one for each lecture that must be completed by the due dates shown

in the schedule below. The questions are based on D2L lectures, text material, other readings, videos, and online

discussions. Question Sets must be completed and deposited into the appropriate D2L dropbox by the posted due dates to

avoid the assessment of a late penalty. Typically the late penalty is a 10% reduction in the total possible points for the

assignment for each 24 hour period or part thereof that has elapsed between the assignment due date and the time the

completed assignment it is submitted on D2L. The maximum penalty is a 50% reduction in the grade for any question set

turned in more than 5 days late.

Exams

There are three exams. Each exam is worth 30 points. The exams are found under QUIZZES on D2L. Exam

questions may include multiple choice, true-false, matching, short answer or long answer. Questions will be drawn from

all aspects of the class. The exams are open book and open note, but you should not discuss the exam with any classmates.

Unlike the regular D2L quizzes, the exams will not be graded immediately upon completion. The average time to finish

grading the exams is one week AFTER the due date.

Exams must be completed by the posted due dates to avoid an assessment of a late penalty. Typically the late

penalty is a 10% reduction in the total possible points for the assignment for each 24 hour period or part thereof that has

elapsed between the assignment due date and the time the completed assignment is submitted on D2L. The maximum

penalty is a 50% reduction in the grade for the first exam if it is turned in more than 5 days late. The final exam must be

received by the posted due date or will be recorded as a zero grade.

Academic Honesty All work completed for this class must meet the University standards for academic honesty. This means that any

form of cheating or plagiarism will result in one of the following:

1. requirement that the assignment be redone for a lower maximum credit

2. reduction of grade or a grade of zero on the particular assignment involved

3. reduction of grade or an F grade for the entire course

If you have any questions about what constitutes cheating or plagiarism please consult with the instructor BEFORE

turning in assignments.

Your instructors and the university have a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity. You, as a student,

are (1) responsible for the honest completion and representation of your work, (2) expected to respect the academic

endeavors of others. This means that plagiarizing the work of any other person is strictly forbidden. Students who violate

these standards will be penalized under UWS Chapter 14.

Classroom and Online Environment

The University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning

environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University

policies regarding Special Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodations, Discrimination

and Absence for University Sponsored Events (for details please refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin; the Academic

Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Bulletin; and the "Student Academic

Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 14); and the "Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" (UWS Chapter 17).

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS THAT IMPACT THEIR USAGE OF THE INTERNET OR THEIR ABILITY TO

FULLY ACCESS ONLINE RESOURCES SHOULD INFORM THE INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATLY. THE

INSTRUCTOR WILL WORK TO ENSURE THE SPECIAL NEEDS ARE REASONABLY ACCOMMODATED IN A

TIMELY MANOR.

Kowal: UWW: Climate and Weather Syllabus and 1st day of classes information: Online: Spring 2017 4

Climate and Weather: Release dates and due dates for Spring 2017

Available

on D2L

Requirement due date

(by 11:59pm)

1/17 Lecture 1 materials: text chapters 1, 2&3, lecture, question set, quiz, discussion

topic, lab 1

Wednesday 2/1

1/17 Lecture 2 materials: text 4&7, lecture, question set, quiz, discussion topic, lab 2 Wednesday 2/15

1/30 Midterm exam 1 due Wednesday 2/22

2/13 Lecture 3 materials: text chapter 5, lecture, question set, quiz, discussion topic, lab 3 Wednesday 3/8

2/13 Lecture 4 materials: text reading 8, 9&10, lecture, question set, quiz, discussion

topic, lab 4

Wednesday 3/29

2/27 Midterm exam 2 due Wednesday 4/5

3/13 Lecture 5 materials: text chapters 11&12, lecture, question set, quiz, discussion

topic, lab 5

Wednesday 4/19

3/13 Lecture 6 materials: text chapters 13, 14&15, lecture, question set, quiz, discussion

topic, lab 6

Wednesday 5/3

4/10 Final exam due Wednesday 5/10

Subjects and reading assignments

Lecture #, subjects, text chapters, lab

Lecture # 1. Introduction, Atmosphere, Climate controls

Text chapters 1, 2, 3 (an intense and important start)

Lab 1: the spheres, data - climate vs weather, atmospheric composition and

structure, urban heat islands

Lecture # 2. Atmospheric circulation, Ocean circulation, ENSO, Climate

disturbances

Text chapters 4&7

Lab 2: atmospheric circulation, atmospheric pressure, atmospheric winds,

virtual ballooning, ocean circulation, waves, thermohaline cycle

Lecture # 3. Hydrologic cycle, energy in the atmosphere

Text chapter 5 (skim all math equations)

Lab 3: Climate drivers, climographs, humidity, orographic lifting, stability

Lecture # 4. Geography of climates

Text chapters 8, 9, 10 (100 pages, but lots of graphs and charts)

Lab 4: mid-latitude cyclones, forecasting, severe weather, Koppen climate

classification

Lecture # 5. Climate changes

Text chapters 11, 12

Lab 5: dendrochronology, crossdating, principle of limiting factors,

paleoecology, Keeling curve, CO2 emissions, interpreting and sharing data

Lecture # 6. Applied Climatology

Text chapters 13, 14, 15 (lots of chapters, but not that much reading)

Lab 6: virtual climate models, predicting change