Synopsis
The material covered in this class will introduce you to some basic concepts
of the physics and the chemistry of the terrestrial atmosphere. Upon completion of the
class you will have a good understanding of the processes that determine the structure
and the dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere. During the semester we will cover variety
of topics ranging from small-scale atmospheric phenomena to planet-wide weather patterns.
We will discuss the role of natural and anthropogenic factors in the global change
of the terrestrial climate.
Time and Location
The class will meet two times a week on Tuesday from 1:55 pm
- 3:50 pm and on Thursday from 3:00 pm
- 3:50 pm in the big auditorium (NPB 1001) on the first floor of the New Physics
Building (NPB).
Office Hours:
Office hours will be held on Thursday from 1.55 pm to 2:50 pm in room 2073 in the Physics
Building (NPB). If this time is inconvenient for you, please make an appointment. I will be glad to help if you seek help.
Required Materials
The main textbook for this class is "Meteorology Today" by C. Donald Ahrens, tenth edition ( 9th, 8th, and/or 7th editions are also acceptable).
The book is
accompanied by a study guide that has a number of useful exercises and example problems.
The study guide is not required for the class.
MET 1010 web page
http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~katia/Teaching/MET1010/
The web page will contain information relevant for the class. On the page
you will find the latest announcements, assignments, old exams, lecture notes and
other study materials.
Please check for updates regularly.
Exams
There will be three midterm exams and one final exam during the semester. Every exam will consist of 33
multiple choice questions. Examples of old exams from previous years can be found on the web-page
of the class. The dates and times of the exams have already been announced (please consult the Exam Page of the class webpage). You will be allowed to drop one exam score (see grading policy below). Students that have a legitimate reason to miss an exam need to talk to me before the exam so that they can arrange for an alternative exam date. Exam miss for medical reasons must be documented.
Assignments
There will be no written homework assignments in this class. However reading the corresponding chapters in the book is a MUST!
Grading
Your grade will be based entirely on your performance on the exams, with the final exam carrying
double weight. You will also be allowed to drop one lowest score among your exams.
For example, if your lowest score is on one of your midterm exams, say M1,
then the final grade is made up of the other
two midterm scores, M2 and M3, plus twice the final exam score F: M2+M3+F+F.
If your lowest score is on the final exam,
the grade will be determined simply by the sum of the 3 midterms and the final: M1+M2+M3+F.
The grades will not be curved.
Anyone who scores 85% or higher on each of the three
midterm exams will be given an A and will not be required to take the final exam.
A student whose average grade on the three midterms is above 85%,
but who has at least one midterm score below 85%, will be required to take the final exam.
The grading scale is shown below:
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Below is an alternative presentation of the grading scale in terms of total number of points rather than
percentage score. There will be 33 questions on each exam, each question is worth 3 points, so the maximum number of
points on each exam will be 99. Since there are 4 scores entering the final grade calculation, the maximum
number of points you can accumulate is 4x99=396. The grading scale in terms of total number of points is therefore
as follows:
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Information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
Special Accomodations
Students requesting classroom accomodations must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accomodation.
