PROFESSOR: Dr. Edward L. Crisp OFFICE:
3310 PHONE: (304) 424-8327
E-MAIL: Ed.Crisp@mail.wvu.edu
WEBSITES: Crisp Homepage: http://www.wvup.edu/ecrisp/crisphomepage.htm
TEXT AND LAB MATERIAL: The instructor will provide the text material and the lab exercises for the students.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION:
Physical Science 297 - Special Topics: Introduction to Meteorology at West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a general survey course dealing with the basic concepts of meteorology. The course will run for the first 4 weeks of the semester and will carry one credit hour.
The course will include topics dealing with the factors which influence the state of Earth's atmosphere, such as composition, heating, moisture content and precipitation, circulation, atmospheric pollution, etc. These factors combine to result in atmospheric patterns that we refer to as weather and climate. In this course we will study the factors that influence weather (the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place) and climate (the composite of weather in a particular region over and extended period of time). The course is designed for students majoring in elementary education with a specialization in science.
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT:
It is your responsibility as a student to review the CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT statement that appears in the WVUP Student Handbook. Your conduct in this course should follow the guidelines set forth in the Code of Student Conduct statement.
Any conduct which disrupts the normal flow of classroom activity will not be tolerated. As such this includes consistently coming to class late, engaging in conversation with fellow students while the instructor is lecturing, belligerent or disruptive activity directed towards others in the classroom, or any other activity that would reasonably be considered to disrupt classroom activities. Turn off all cell phones (even vibrate) prior to entering the classroom, keep cell phones put away, and do not answer a cell phone in the classroom (even if you forget to turn it off and it rings or vibrates). If you have to leave the classroom (to go to the bathroom or for any other reason) please leave and return to the classroom quietly, however you should only leave the classroom if absolutely necessary (I will discuss this activity with you if it becomes routine). The Code of Student Conduct also prohibits all forms of dishonesty including, cheating, plagiarism, forgery, or knowingly furnishing false statements to college officials.
SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT:
West Virginia
University at Parkersburg is committed to social justice. I concur with that
commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon
open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does
not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status,
religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to
how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be
appreciated and given serious consideration.
If you are a person with a disability and anticipate
needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please
advise me and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability
Services (424-8378).
SPECIAL SUPPLIES:
Calculator (preferrably a scientific
calculator, these are now relatively inexpensive).
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance to all classes is highly recommended. If you must miss a class, please notify the instructor as soon as possible (preferably before you miss) at 424-8327 (if no answer, leave a message). If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to cover the material, find out about class announcements, make arrangements for make-up of assignments missed (if make-up is allowed and practical, for example: a missed laboratory session will normally not be practical to make-up because it involves, in some cases, an extensive set-up). Regardless, make-up of missed laboratory sessions will not normally be allowed unless there is a death in the family, absence because of approved university sponsored events, or severe illness). Material that is covered in lecture is not always readily obtained by just reading the text. A record of attendance will be maintained, but you will not be formally penalized for lack of attendance. However, because of material you miss, your grade may be adversely affected by excessive absences (excessive absences for this class is missing more than ONE session of lecture or lab.
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TESTS! Preparing make-up material for tests is very time consuming for the instructor. Make-up will be allowed for valid excuses, such as severe illness, death in the immediate family, or excused university sponsored events. The student must make arrangements with the instructor before missing or immediately upon returning to class to arrange for a make-up exam, otherwise the grade for the missed exam will be recorded as a zero. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS POLICY LIGHTLY!
TESTING:
There will be one major lecture exam which will be given at the end of the four week session. This exam will account for 75% of the course grade. There will also be four laboratory sessions. Each laboratory session will involve a graded exercise. The laboratory portion of the course will account for 25% of the course grade.
BASIS FOR FINAL COURSE GRADE:
Major Lecture Exam..............................................................120 points
Laboratory
Laboratory Exercise (4
exercises, 10 points each)............40 points
Total Points Possible...............................................................160 points
GRADING SCALE:
Points Range Percentile
Range Course Grade
> or = 144
> or = 90
A
128-143
80 - 89
B
112-127
70 - 79
C
96-111
60 - 69
D
less than 96
less than 60.
F
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To increase the ability of the student to think critically.
2. To learn and practice the scientific method of investigation of a problem or idea.
3. To appreciate and practice experimentation and observation and their importance in scientific investigations.
4. To learn how to collect accurate scientific data and the importance of accurate data collecting techniques.
5. To study the basic principles of meteorology.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE 297 - SPECIAL TOPICS: INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR FOR LECTURE - FALL 2008
Week One
The Earth's
Atmosphere: Composition, Structure, and Temperature
Solar and Terrestrial Radiation
Week Two
Weather
(barometric pressure, lows and highs, atmospheric circulation)
Weather (humidity, condensation, cloud formation, etc.)
Week Three
Weather (air masses, weather fronts, storms, weather systems)
Week Four
Climate and Climate Change
Final Examination
PHYSICAL SCIENCE 297 - SPECIAL TOPICS: INTRODUCTION TO
METEOROLOGY LAB
TENTATIVE LAB SCHEDULE-FALL 2008