Course Syllabus
THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Syllabus for AGRON/MTEOR 206
Introduction to Weather and Climate
Fall 2021, M W F 2:15-3:05pm, 125 Kildee Hall
We are happy that you will be learning about weather and climate with us this fall!
Instructors
- Professor Brian Hornbuckle
- graduate student Kyle DeLong
- senior meteorology undergraduates
Learning Goals
After completing AGRON/MTEOR 206, students will:
- be literate in weather and climate, which we define as demonstrated knowledge of the enduring understandings (essential principles) of Earth's weather and climate; and
- have developed the skills needed to be successful in a university-level course.
Communication
| Dr. Hornbuckle: bkh@iastate.edu Kyle: delon1kt@iastate.edu |
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| Dr. Hornbuckle's office hours | Mondays 3:15-4:15pm, Wednesdays 3:15-4:15pm; Fridays noon-1pm in his office, 3007 Agronomy Hall,
and simultaneously at https://iastate.webex.com/meet/bkh. Join Dr. Hornbuckle in his office or Webex Personal Room at any time during regularly-scheduled office hours. The door to his office (physical and virtual) is open for all visitors during these times. If you have a personal question, email Dr. Hornbuckle and set a time to meet individually. |
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| Office hours for Kyle and senior meteorology undergraduates Trey, Rachel, and Jared. | See "Office Hours" module in Canvas. |
Course Materials and Resources
Textbook
Understanding Weather and Climate, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th edition, by Edward Aguado and James E. Burt.
Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458.
An electronic version ("Immediate Access") of the 7th edition, purchased through the bookstore, is available in Canvas.
You can also use any of the following hard copy versions: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th edition.
The earlier editions of the text are essentially the same as the most current edition,
there are just some minor changes.
What is Immediate Access?
Immediate Access is a collaborative affordability initiative between the ISU Book Store, faculty, and publishers.
Students that are enrolled in an Immediate Access course will receive access to all required digital course materials
the first day of class and at a reduced cost compared to the national average.
How is Immediate Access billed?
You will be automatically charged on your u-bill for this digital content.
The billing description on your u-bill will show the department and course number,
followed by "IMMED ACCESS" and the last 4 digits of the billing ISBN.
What if I drop the course?
Students who drop the course within the first 10 days of class will receive a refund on their u-bill
(5 days for courses 8 weeks or shorter).
You do not have to notify the bookstore if you drop the course. This is an automated process.
Can I opt out of Immediate Access?
Students may choose to opt out of the program.
Opting out does not mean you are dropping the course.
It simply means you are choosing not to receive the digital content from the bookstore and you must find another way to acquire it
in order to complete required homework assignments.
Students have within the first 10 days of class to opt out and receive a refund to their u-bill
(5 days for courses 8 weeks or shorter).
Instructions on how to opt out were emailed shortly before classes started.
How do I access the required digital content?
There is a tool on the navigation menu of your Canvas course called Immediate Access Course Materials.
You will receive an email shortly before classes start that will instruct you on how to access the required digital course materials.
You may not be able to access the digital content until the first day of class.
If you have more questions about Immediate Access, email immediateaccess@iastate.edu.
Weather Cycler
We will use The Weather Cycler by I. Geer / American Meteorological Society for some assignments.
Socratic Weather and Climate via ThinkSpace
We will use ThinkSpace to access a Socratic weather and climate learning environment.
Top Hat
The interactive lectures include questions asked through Top Hat. This account and corresponding software will allow you to use your own device (phone, tablet, computer, etc.) to answer these questions. See the ISU IT help page for more information. Our class Join code for 2021 is 984056.
Personal 206 Help
Besides visiting with Dr. Hornbuckle in office hours, you can also get help from Kyle and our senior meteorology undergraduates. If you are having trouble in the course, before hiring a personal tutor try working with us first: we are free (your tuition is already paying for out time)!
Class Activities
Assignments
- There are 9 assignments that you will complete on Canvas.
- Each assignment is worth 20 class points.
- Your best 8 out of 9 assignment scores will be used to calculate your letter grade. (Your lowest assignment score will be dropped.)
- Assignments will generally be available for 2 weeks.
- Assignments are always due at 11:30am on a Wednesday.
- You can work with your classmates on assignments. However, you must submit your own assignment. We will be checking for plagiarism, and will refer cases of plagiarism to the Dean of Students. When an assignment asks for a statement, you must answer in your own words.
- See the schedule below for when assignments will be available and when they are due.
Exams
- There are 4 regular exams plus the Makeup Exam that will taken in class but administered on Canvas.
- Each exam is worth 95 class points.
- Each of the 4 regular exams cover one-quarter of the course. For example, the Fourth Exam, given during the final exam period (on Wednesday, December 15), is only over the last quarter of the class.
- The Makeup Exam is unlike the other exams: it is comprehensive. Questions will be randomly selected from the other four exams.
- Each regular exam will consist of 43 questions: 40 multiple-choice questions (each worth 2 points) and 3 essay questions (each worth 5 points). The Makeup Exam will have 47 multiple-choice questions (each worth 2 points) and 1 essay question worth 1 point.
- Each exam question will correspond to a specific Learning Outcome.
- If you must miss a regular exam (but not the Fourth Exam) because you are away from campus as part of an Iowa State group (e.g., athletics, marching band, scientific meeting, class trip) and traveling with a faculty or staff member, see Dr. Hornbuckle at least one week before to make arrangements to take the exam remotely.
- If you miss one of the first three regular exams for any other reason, you don't need to give us an explanation, just take the Makeup Exam on the last day of regular class. Your Makeup Exam score will be substituted for the exam you missed. (The Fourth Exam during finals week is required for all students: you cannot use the Makeup Exam to replace the Fourth Exam.)
- If you take the first three exams, you can still take the Makeup Exam. If you score higher on the Makeup Exam than one of your first three exams, we'll replace that regular exam score with your Makeup Exam score. If you take first three exams and the Makeup Exam but don't score higher on the Makeup Exam than one of your first three exams, we'll forget out your Makeup Exam score.
- In short, we will use your best three-out-of-four exam scores from the First Exam, Second Exam, Third Exam, and the Makeup Exam, plus your score on the Fourth Exam (required for everyone), to calculate your final course score and final course letter grade.
- See the schedule below for exam dates.
Top Hat
- Top Hat questions will be interspersed throughout each class period. They will make the class more interactive and require you to think. More thinking means more learning!
- If you answer (any answer, not just the "correct" answer) more than 50% of Top Hat questions throughout the semester you will receive 30 class points.
- There will be no partial credit, so if you answer 50% or less of the Top Hat questions you will receive 0 class points.
ThinkSpace
- Throughout the semester new Socratic Weather and Climate "cases" will be made available.
- If you finish (by completing all phases) 50% or more of the Socratic Weather and Climate ThinkSpace "cases" throughout the semester you will receive 30 class points.
- There will be no partial credit, so if you finish less than 50% of the ThinkSpace cases you will receive 0 class points.
Your Responsibilities
- Get help if you need it. We are available to work with you. Working with your classmates is another good option. While it is most convenient to talk to peers, they are likely learning the material for the first time just as you are. While the instructors are only available during office hours (or by a separate requested appointment), they are authorities on the material.
- Learning is your responsibility. Keep up with assignments, deadlines and other requirements.
- Check Canvas Announcements often. The syllabus may change as we progress through the semester. Don't risk missing an exam or assignment because you're looking at an old version of the syllabus. Most announcements will also be covered in class, but it is possible that some may not be, so be sure to check Canvas, as well as your iastate.edu email, regularly.
- Turn in work on time. Late assignments will not be accepted.
- Check that your work is properly submitted and graded on Canvas. Classwork issues (scoring errors, etc.) should be resolved within one week after the assignment.
- Consider working with a group. You are encouraged to work with a partner or group of students on assignments and practice exams, but you must always submit your own work.
Ethical Standards
- We will not tolerate any type of academic misconduct, which includes (but not limited to) plagiarism on assignments or ThinkSpace and cheating on exams. Academic misconduct will be reported to the Dean of Students.
- On the other hand, working with fellow students in class or on assignments and practice exams is encouraged. However, you must submit your own assignment. If we find students submitting assignments that are too similar to be the result of independent work (plagiarism), we will refer them to the Dean of Students.
University Policies
Free Expression
Iowa State University supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of
freedom of speech
and the principle of academic freedom
in order to foster a learning environment where open inquiry
and the vigorous debate of a diversity of ideas are encouraged.
Students will not be penalized for the content or viewpoints of their speech
as long as student expression in a class context is germane to the subject matter of the class and conveyed in an appropriate manner.
Academic Dishonesty
The class will follow Iowa State University's policy on academic dishonesty.
Anyone suspected of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students Office.
Accessibility Statement
Iowa State University is committed to assuring that all educational activities are free from discrimination and harassment based on disability status.
Students requesting accommodations for a documented disability are required to work directly with staff in
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
to establish eligibility and learn about related processes before accommodations will be identified.
After eligibility is established, SAS staff will create and issue a Notification Letter for each course listing approved reasonable accommodations.
This document will be made available to the student and instructor either electronically or in hard-copy every semester.
Students and instructors are encouraged to review contents of the Notification Letters as early in the semester as possible
to identify a specific, timely plan to deliver/receive the indicated accommodations.
Reasonable accommodations are not retroactive in nature and are not intended to be an unfair advantage.
Additional information or assistance is available on the web
or by contacting SAS staff by email at accessibility@iastate.edu, or by calling 515-294-7220.
Student Accessibility Services is a unit in the Dean of Students Office located at 1076 Student Services Building.
After receiving your accommodations,
please contact Dr. Hornbuckle at bkh@iastate.edu to set up a meeting
within the first two weeks of the semester,
or as soon as possible after you become aware of your need.
Prep Week
This class follows the Iowa State University Prep Week policy
as described in Section 10.6.4 of the
Faculty Handbook.
Harassment and Discrimination
Iowa State strives to maintain our campus as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students
that is free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race,
ethnicity, sex (including sexual assault), pregnancy, color, religion, national origin,
physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity,
genetic information, or status as a U.S. veteran.
Any student who has concerns about such behavior should contact Dr. Hornbuckle at bkh@iastate.edu
or the Office of Equal Opportunity,
3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, IA 50011, 515-294-7612, Hotline 515-294-1222, eooffice@iastate.edu.
Religious Accommodation
Iowa State University welcomes diversity of religious beliefs and practices,
recognizing the contributions differing experiences and viewpoints can bring to the community.
There may be times when an academic requirement conflicts with religious observances and practices.
If that happens, students may request the reasonable accommodation for religious practices.
In all cases, you must put your request in writing.
Dr. Hornbuckle will review the situation in an effort to provide a reasonable accommodation when possible to do so without fundamentally altering a course.
For students, you should first discuss the conflict and your requested accommodation with Dr. Hornbuckle at the earliest possible time.
You may also seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office, 515-294-1020,
or the Office of Equal Opportunity, 515-294-7612.
General Academic Concerns
If you are experiencing, or have experienced, a problem with any of the above issues, email academicissues@iastate.edu.
Health and Wellness
Let's stop the spread of COVID-19 to ensure we can meet in-person for class the entire semester!
- I encourage you to wear a face covering during class.
- Please take advantage of the space in our classroom to spread out.
- If you would like to get vaccinated, register for an on-campus clinic.
- Student Wellness (515-294-1099 or http://studentwellness.iastate.edu);
- Thielen Student Health Center (24/7 at 515-294-5801 or https://www.cyclonehealth.iastate.edu);
- Student Counseling Services (515-294-5056 or https://counseling.iastate.edu);
- Recreation Services (515-294-4980 or http://recservices.iastate.edu).
Grading
There are a total of 600 class points distributed as follows.
- 380 points - 4 exams (95 points each)
- 160 points - assignments (best 8 out of 9, each worth 20 points)
- 30 points - Top Hat questions
- 30 points - ThinkSpace Socratic Weather and Climate
Exams and assignments will be administered in Canvas. You must use a Top Hat account and a ThinkSpace account for those respective activities.
You are responsible for keeping up with your grade. Regularly check your Top Hat percentage (to ensure that your answers are being recorded) and the number of available ThinkSpace cases. If you have concerns, talk with Dr. Hornbuckle or Kyle.
Grade scale
The grade scale is fixed at the start of the semester so that you know exactly how many points you must earn to reach a certain grade. Please note that the percentage of the total points needed to earn a certain letter grade is lower than what you might expect. For example, to earn an "A" grade you need to earn at least 540 of the 600 points, which is 90%. Over the years we have adjusted our grading scale to fairly represent the effort required. Also note that if everyone in the class earns 540 or more points, then everyone in the class will receive an "A" (there will be no curve).
| Grade | Points | |
| A | 540 and above | |
| A- | 510 to 539 | |
| B+ | 490 to 509 | |
| B | 470 to 489 | |
| B- | 450 to 469 | |
| C+ | 435 to 449 | |
| C | 420 to 434 | |
| C- | 405 to 419 | |
| D+ | 390 to 404 | |
| D | 375 to 389 | |
| D- | 360 to 374 | |
| F | 359 or less |
CHECK OFTEN: THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Class Schedule
| Date | Misc. Alerts | Lecture Topic | Assignments This is the date when the assignment becomes "available" on Canvas. |
What's due today? This is the date and time when the assignment is due on Canvas. |
| Welcome to 206! We are happy to have you in class. | Introduction and Overview | Read the syllabus (what you are looking at now). Preview Chapter 1. Get course materials. |
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| Mon 8/23 |
Get your Top Hat account! Consider reading/printing/downloading the preliminary lecture slides before class. |
Chapter 1: Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere Atmospheric gases and residence time. |
Continue reading Chapter 1. | |
| Wed 8/25 |
Have your WeatherCycler handy. | Chapter 1: Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere Atmospheric structure and basic weather map information. |
Assignment 1: Ozone, Weather Maps, Success, and Plagiarism Finish reading Chapter 1. |
|
| Fri 8/27 |
Chapter 2: Solar Radiation and the Seasons | Begin reading Chapter 2. | ||
| Mon 8/30 |
Remember, you cannot submit an assignment after the deadline has passed. | Chapter 2: Solar Radiation and the Seasons
Blackbody Spectrum animation available at PhET. |
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| Wed 9/01 |
Chapter 2: Solar Radiation and the Seasons
Earth and Sun animation. Period of Daylight animation. Solar Position animation. |
Assignment 2: Radiation | ||
| Fri 9/03 |
Chapter 2: Solar Radiation and the Seasons | |||
| Mon 9/06 |
No class. | University holiday: Labor Day | Have fun. | Don't work. |
| Wed 9/08 |
Chapter 3: Energy Balance and Temperature | Assignment 3: Infrared Thermometer | Assignment 1 @ 11:30am | |
| Fri 9/10 |
Make sure you are still reading the textbook. Skim the chapter before class, study the chapter after class. |
Chapter 3: Energy Balance and Temperature
Energy budget animation. |
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| Mon 9/13 |
Chapter 3: Energy Balance and Temperature |
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| Wed 9/15 |
Chapter 3: Energy Balance and Temperature |
Assignment 2 @ 11:30am | ||
| Fri 9/17 |
Chapter 3: Energy Balance and Temperature |
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| Mon 9/20 |
1st Exam | Chapters 1, 2, and 3 | ||
| Wed 9/22 |
Chapter 5: Atmospheric Moisture | Assignment 4: Atmospheric Moisture | ||
| Fri 9/24 |
Chapter 5: Atmospheric Moisture | |||
| Mon 9/27 |
Chapter 4: Atmospheric Pressure and Wind (First part only, pages 90-98 in 7th ed., 92-100 in 6th ed., 100-108 in 5th ed., 92-100 in 4th ed.) | |||
| Wed 9/29 |
Chapter 5: Atmospheric Moisture | Assignment 5: Clouds | Assignment 3 @ 11:30am | |
| Fri 10/01 |
Are you remembering to check the syllabus regularly for changes? | Chapter 5: Atmospheric Moisture | ||
| Mon 10/04 |
Chapter 6: Cloud Development and Forms
Cold and warm fronts. Convergence. |
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| Wed 10/06 |
Chapter 6: Cloud Development and Forms | Assignment 4 @ 11:30am. | ||
| Fri 10/08 |
Chapter 7: Precipitation Processes | |||
| Mon 10/11 |
Chapter 7: Precipitation Processes | |||
| Wed 10/13 |
2nd Exam | First third of Chapter 4 plus Chapters 5, 6, and 7 | Assignment 6: Forecasting | Assignment 5 @ 11:30am. |
| Fri 10/15 |
Have your WeatherCycler handy. | Chapter 4: Atmospheric Pressure and Wind
Rotating Earth animation. Apparent deflection animation. |
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| Mon 10/18 |
Chapter 4: Atmospheric Pressure and Wind
Friction animation. Geostrophic flow animation. Coriolis and friction animation. Pressure gradients animation. Cyclone and Anticyclone animation. |
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| Wed 10/20 |
Chapter 8: Circulation and Pressure Distributions | Assignment 7: Severe Weather | ||
| Fri 10/22 |
Make sure you are keeping up with the reading! | Chapter 8: Circulation and Pressure Distributions | ||
| Mon 10/25 |
Chapter 9: Air Masses and Fronts | |||
| Wed 10/27 |
Chapter 13: Weather Forecasting and Analysis but only the section "Weather Maps and Images." |
Assignment 6 @ 11:30am | ||
| Fri 10/29 |
Last day to add/drop ISU courses or withdraw without extenuating circumstances. Last day to change to or from Pass / Not Pass. |
Chapter 10: Mid-latitude Cyclones | ||
| Mon 11/01 |
Chapter 10: Mid-latitude Cyclones | |||
| Wed 11/03 |
Chapter 11: Lightning, Thunder and Tornados
Video: Lightning in super-slow motion |
Assignment 8: Greenhouse Effect | Assignment 7 @ 11:30am | |
| Fri 11/05 |
Chapter 11: Lightning, Thunder and Tornados Severe weather safety. |
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| Mon 11/08 |
3rd Exam | Last two-thirds of Chapter 4 plus Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, and first third of 13. | ||
| Wed 11/10 |
Chapter 12: Tropical Storms and Hurricanes | |||
| Fri 11/12 |
Chapter 12: Tropical Storms and Hurricanes | |||
| Mon 11/15 |
Chapter 13: Weather Forecasting and Analysis | |||
| Wed 11/17 |
Chapter 13: Weather Forecasting and Analysis | Assignment 9: Climate Change | Assignment 8 @ 11:30am | |
| Fri 11/19 |
Have a device or your textbook handy. | Chapter 15: Earth's Climates | ||
| Nov 22-26 | No class. | University holiday: Thanksgiving |
Thankfulness, Freedom, and Turkey | Recharge for the final push! |
| Mon 11/29 |
Chapter 16: Climate Changes | |||
| Wed 12/01 |
Chapter 16: Climate Changes | |||
| Fri 12/03 |
Chapter 16: Climate Changes | |||
| Mon 12/06 |
Have IPCC "Summary for Policy Makers" from Assignment 9 handy. | Chapter 16: Climate Changes | ||
| Wed 12/08 |
Growing degree days, heating degree days, and cooling degree days. | Assignment 9 @ 11:30am | ||
| Fri 12/10 |
Makeup Exam | If you missed one of the first three exams, you need to take the Makeup Exam! | ThinkSpace cases must be complete. | |
| Wed 12/15 |
4th Exam (Final Exam) 2:15-3:45pm | Chapter 12, the last two-thirds of 13, and Chapters 15 and 16. |
CHECK OFTEN: THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|