Meteorology
MTRO-201
University of South Dakota

Meteorology Links

How to Register Your Clicker

Lecture Meetings: MWF 1:00-1:50 in Patterson-117
Professor: Dr. Brennan Jordan
E-mail: brennan.jordan@usd.edu
Office: Patterson-103 (temporary), phone# 677-6143
Web Page: http://www.usd.edu/~Brennan.Jordan/

Catalog Description: An introductory course in weather and climate designed for both science and non-science students.

Course Overview: Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena.  Few studies have such a tangible daily relevance to our lives as meteorology.  On a daily basis weather dictates our comfort, our plans for the day, and our choices of clothes and modes of transportation.  In many people's lives, particularly those involved in agriculture, weather is a major factor in economic success or failure.  In their most severe forms, meteorological phenomena can destroy property and result in thousands of deaths.  This class offers an introduction to meteorology, first providing an overview of the atmosphere and factors that influence weather, then examining the evolution of weather systems and weather forecasting, and finally considering climate and climate change. 

Course Structure: The class meets three times per week; there is no lab offered with this course.  Class meetings will consist of lectures, videos, and some in-class assignments.  For in-class assignments a calculator may be necessary, so bring one regularly.  There will be periodic homework assignments.

Required Text/Materials:
*Ackerman, S.A., and Knox, J.A., 2007, Meteorology: Understanding the Atmosphere, Thomson-Brooks/Cole, ISBN 0-495-10892-8.
*TurningPoint Clicker - The clicker is a remote unit on which students can answer questions raised in lecture PowerPoints

Office Hours: Formal office hours will be set in the first week of the course, but please feel free to swing by my office any time, or set up an appointment.

Attendance: Attendance is essential and, in accordance with University of South Dakota policy for 100- and 200-level courses, attendance will be determined daily (based on clicker use).  Students who cease to attend class will be reported to the university.  Poor attendance will impact a student’s participation grade.  Please communicate with me if you are sick or have another reason for an excused absence.

Cell Phones: Please turn off your cell phones before entering the classroom.  Students with phones out during class will be asked to leave.

Grading: There will be two midterm exams and a final exam.  There will also be in-class and homework assignments and a term paper.  Half of the clicker grade will be based on whether or not you answered a question, and half on whether or not you got the right answer.  Grading will be based on a conventional scale: A=90-100%; B=80-89.9%; C=70-79.9%; D=60-69.9%; F=<60%. A curve may be applied to some exams at the instructor’s discretion, but don’t count on it.  The weighting of coursework will be as follows:

 

Lecture Schedule

 

Fine Print:

Cheating: Don’t do it!  The College of Arts & Sciences policy on cheating is as follows:  “No credit can be given for a dishonest assignment. At the discretion of the instructor, a student caught engaging in any form of academic dishonesty may be: (a) given a zero for that assignment; (b) allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit; (c) assigned a reduced grade for the course; (d) dropped from the course; or (e) failed in the course.”

Freedom in Learning: Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact Associate Dean Kurt Hackemer to initiate a review of the evaluation.

Disabilities: Any student who feels s/he may need academic accommodations or access accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and register with Disability Services during the first week of class. Disability Services is the official office to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with Disability Services must obtain a new accommodation memo each semester.

Course Evaluation: You will have an opportunity to evaluate the course and the instructor using the IDEA Diagnostic Form at the end of the semester.