Syllabus for EAS-131

INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to a wide variety of basic atmospheric concepts and, in the process, enables them to gain a better understanding of “how the weather works.” The course is best suited for students wishing to develop a fundamental understanding of Earth’s atmospheric systems and to gain a greater appreciation for the atmosphere. The prime objective of this science course is to familiarize students with the physical processes associated with weather and climate, including jet streams, cyclones/hurricanes/typhoons, cloud types, air masses and fronts, global warming impacts, ozone hole, El Niño/La Niña, Fujita Scale, and anthropogenic climate change.

COURSE TOPICS

Atmospheric condition and circulation
Coriolis, centrifugal, and centripetal forces
Temperature, pressure, and density
Conduction, convection, and radiation
Ocean’s influence on weather and climate
Hydrologic cycle, humidity, dew point, and fog
Convergence, divergence, jet streams, troughs, and ridges
Remote sensing, IR imagery, and visible imagery
Forecasting computer models, source of errors, and accuracy in forecasting

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, students should be able to:

CO 1 Interpret meteorology terminology.

CO 2 Describe the origin, composition, and structure of Earth’s atmosphere.

CO 3 Describe how temperature, pressure, and density affect the atmospheric circulation patterns.

CO 4 Explain how different physical forces (Coriolis, Ekman, centripetal, etc.) affect the atmosphere.

CO 5 Articulate the effects that different types of thermal energy transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation) have on atmospheric circulation.

CO 6 Characterize the benefits of using remote sensing, IR, and visible imagery in meteorology.

CO 7 Elaborate on weather computer models and the errors and accuracy in forecasting.

CO 8 Describe the influence of human activities on the atmosphere.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science. (2018). METEO 3: Introductory meteorology.

Estimated cost: $0.00 (Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' OER Initiative)

Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science. (2019). Learning weather [weather simulations].

Estimated cost: $0.00 (Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' OER Initiative)

Additional Learning Resource

Menzel, W. P. (2006). Remote sensing applications with meteorological satellites. Madison, WI: NOAA Satellite and Information Service, University of Wisconsin.
Estimated cost: $0.00

COURSE STRUCTURE

Introduction to Meteorology is a three-credit online course consisting of eight modules with eight discussion forums, eight written assignments, eight quizzes, and a final exam. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: The Meteorologist’s Toolbox
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3
Module 2: Modes of Transfer of Thermal Energy
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 3, CO 5, CO 8
Module 3: Global and Local Controllers of Temperature
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 8
Module 4: Water Cycle and Cloud Types
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5
Module 5: Atmospheric Disturbances
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 3, CO 4, CO 5
Module 6: Severe Weather
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 4, CO 5

Module 7: Remote Sensing of Atmosphere
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 6, CO 7
Module 8: Human Influence on Atmosphere
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 8

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, and take a proctored final examination. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in SafeAssign.

Discussion Forums

You are required to complete eight discussion forums. In each module you will have a chance to respond to topics that will be covered therein by providing your original input once the reading of the module is completed. In your replies to your classmates’ responses, provide suggestions, input, and comments, and ask questions as well. This will develop a dialogue between you and your peers in the class, creating a positive learning and educational experience for everyone.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete eight written assignments. In each module, you will respond to questions in the written assignments. These questions are based on the topics that are assigned for reading during that module. You are welcome to write your original responses based on in-class reading, as well as on authentic material that is available on reputable education and other websites.

Quizzes

You are required to complete eight module quizzes. The quizzes are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.

Each quiz will consist of 10 multiple-choice questions. All quizzes are untimed, and you may use any materials that you like while taking the quizzes. You may take the quizzes multiple times for additional practice; the result of your most recent attempt will appear in your gradebook.

Final Examination

You are required to take a proctored online final examination. This exam requires that you use the University's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the Examinations and Proctors section of the Online Student Handbook for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester. Online exams are administered through the course website. Consult the Course Calendar for the official dates of exam week.

The 2-hour proctored final exam covers material from Modules 1 through 8 and will consist of both objective multiple-choice items and subjectively scored constructed response items.

Note: For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam, refer to the study guide available in the Examinations section of the course website.

Statement about Cheating

You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:

Looking up any answer or part of an answer in an unauthorized textbook or on the Internet, or using any other source to find the answer.
Copying and pasting or in any way copying responses or parts of responses from any other source into your online test. This includes but is not limited to copying and pasting from other documents or spreadsheets, whether written by yourself or anyone else.
Plagiarizing answers.
Asking anyone else to assist you by whatever means available while you take the exam.
Copying any part of the exam to share with other students.
Telling your mentor that you need another attempt at the exam because your connection to the Internet was interrupted when that is not true.

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Online discussions (8)—32%
Written assignments (8)—32%
Quizzes (8)—16%
Final exam—20%

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A	=	93–100	C+	=	78–79
A–	=	90–92	C	=	73–77
B+	=	88–89	C–	=	70–72
B	=	83–87	D	=	60–69
B–	=	80–82	F	=	Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
Take time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, how to schedule exams, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.
Arrange to take your examination by following the instructions in this Syllabus and the Online Student Handbook.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
If you are not familiar with web-based learning, be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Course Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking examinations.
Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see: