- To understand the fundamental physical and mathematical principles of
meteorology
- To begin developing self-learning skills needed for life-long
professional development
Course Design [top]
The provided course outline is tentative
, but should be adequate enough to give you a
reference for the order of topics and a reasonable idea of
the course's pace. Students are expected to come
to class prepared to participate actively in the learning process. As
in any professional organization, absences should be justified and
promptness is standard procedure. Your homework should be done with
pride and submitted on time. Late homework will be given discounted
credit.
I communicate frequently with the class by email. The default email
address I have for all students is their @iastate.edu address.
Students who prefer to use some other email address should follow one
of these two alternatives (the first is preferred):
- Follow the instructions to automatically forward your iastate.edu email
to another system.
- Send to me by email your preferred address.
Choice 1 is preferable because faculty teaching other courses will
also use email to communicate with you. They, too, will have your
iastate.edu address, through AccessPlus, but not likely your other
email address. Setting up automatic forwarding saves you from having
to repeat these steps down the road.
Structure of Classes [top]
Many classes will involve traditional lectures. However, some will be
much more interactive. I will not give a lecture, but rather work on Class
Review Problem Sets. These problems sets can be found under the
problem set link at the top of the page. You will
be expected to learn the material from the textbook and work on these
problems before class. In these cases, I will spend short periods
working with each group on the assigned problems.
NOTE: If we do not finish a derivation during class, students
will be responsible for completing it on their own. (Nearly all
derivations are in the textbook.)
Student Portfolios [top]
In this class, students will continue to develop their Student Portfolios.
Procedure for Standard Problem Sets [top]
Please follow these procedures for doing problem sets:
- Label the problem.
- Work the problem and include comments.
- Identify the solution (e.g. underline, put in a box, use an arrow
pointer...)
- Make sure your name is on each sheet of paper.
- Occasionally, students may be randomly picked to explain problem solutions
to the class.
- Homework is to be neatly stapled with no jagged edges. Do not bother handing in
homework that is dog-eared and/or has rough edges.
Problem sets are due at the beginning of class one week after they are assigned (unless
stated otherwise).
Procedure for Class Review Problem Sets [top]
These will be problems that I want you to work in groups in
advance of classes where the material is covered. There are two
motivations for these sets:
- To give us opportunity to work problems together in class.
- To give further incentive for self-learning, both on your own and in
collaboration with your problem set group.
NOTE! Class Review problem set results will be handed in at
the end of the next class after the one in which they are covered.
Procedure for Laboratory Sessions [top]
Some of our classes will involve laboratory exercises
that are relevant to meteorology majors. These will typically occur
on Tuesdays.
General rules:
- You are free to consult others on how to do the lab, but
- You must hand in your own report,
- No photocopies!
Labs are due one week after assigned, unless stated otherwise.
3 Tests
Problem Sets/Lab Assignments |
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75%
25% |
The course grade is determined by how each student performs. This is
done in part by assessing how people do with respect to each
other and how the class as a whole has done. This gives a starting
point for reviewing what each student has demonstrated with regard to
his/her grasp of the material. The total score from tests, labs, etc.
is NOT judged on a scale of below 60 = F, 60 - 69 = D, etc..
Documented Disability[top]
If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accomodations in this
course, please make arrangements with me soon. Please request that a Disability
Resource staff (4-6624) send a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form
verifying your disability and specifying the accomodation you will need.
- Please make sure your cell phones and any other noise makers are turned
off before coming to class.
- I believe laptops are a distraction. Please do not use them during
class.
Test 3 for Spring 2008 will be during the final exam period. The
tentative time of this exam is Friday, May 9th, 7:30am - 9:30am. The exam will be
held in our regular classroom (2026 Agronomy).
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