Geography 1120: Introductory Weather and Climate

Geography 5210/6210

Climatology Spring 2013

Lecture: T and TH (12.30 – 1.45 pm, Petrie 118)

3 Semester Hours

Professor: Chandana Mitra

Office: 2046J Haley Center

Phone: 334- 844-4229

E-mail:

Office Hours: T and TH (3 – 4 PM) or by appointment

Required Text Book and Materials:

-  Textbook: Contemporary Climatology, 2nd ed. by Peter Robinson and Ann Henderson-Sellers

-  Reading material will be either uploaded on Canvas or printed and handed over in class.

COURSE CONTENT

This course serves as an introduction to the field of climatology. We will cover the basic principles and processes that constitute the earth’s climate system, including the surface-atmosphere energy budget, the hydrologic cycle, and atmospheric motion. These topics will be studied at a variety of temporal and spatial scales. We will use the basic elements of the climate system to understand how they produce diverse climates around the globe. The class will analyze climate change and sea level rise with Hurricane Sandy as an example. We will discuss if movies like ‘The Day after tomorrow’ can happen in reality or not. The class will also deal with sustainability issues, adaptation and mitigation techniques to delay and deter the impacts of climate change. In addition, both natural and anthropogenic sources of climate change will be examined.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the semester, the student will:

1.  Understand the basics of weather and climate and the mechanism of atmospheric science

2.  Develop an in-depth knowledge of the dynamism of land, water and atmosphere and how they relate to each other.

3.  Critically analyze the concepts influencing climate change and apply them to surrounding scenarios.

4.  Realize and argue in favor of anthropogenic contributions to recent changes in climate regimes all over the world.

5.  Learn the dependency and inter-relationship of elements of weather and climate in everyday life and learn to choose sustainable alternatives.

6.  Learn to utilize the case method approach to analyze problems of climate change and guide critical thinking towards implementing sustainable ways of living.

7.  Apply knowledge gained from lectures, field trips and the invited presentations on weather forecasting and climate models, to identify problems, find solutions and check out suitability in particular regions.

8.  Become confident and ready to take up challenges, skills which students will learn through class discussions, participation in team activities, interaction within class and outside too.

GRADE STRUCTURE

Grade weights on a standard 100% scale:

For Undergraduates:

Assignments: 25%

Exams: 40%

Class participation and attendance: 10%

Project: 25%

For Graduates:

Assignments: 20%

Exams: 35%

Class participation and attendance: 10%

Project: 35 %. You cannot pass the class without completion of the project.

Ideally this project will be related to the student's research interests but it is not necessary.

Grade Distribution

Percentage Final Grade

90–100 A

80–89 B

70–79 C

60–69 D

< 60 F

Failure due to attendance FA

AU Policy on Academic Integrity: Students guilty of cheating will receive at a minimum an F for the course and a notation on their transcript that they have been found guilty of academic dishonesty. If you are in doubt about appropriate citation of the work of others in your own papers or projects, you should consult with the instructor in advance and should read carefully the regulations published in THE TIGER CUB.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with a disability who need accommodation must get a memo from the Program for Students with Disabilities. An accommodation memo and instructor verification form can be obtained for this purpose from the Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center (334-844-2096).

Attendance: Attendance is required at each class meeting. Attendance will be taken in every class. A sheet will be passed around that you will be asked to sign at the beginning of each class (it is your responsibility to sign in for each class you attend). Any unethical behavior in attendance taking will be reported to the Academic Honor Council with the recommendation for a failing course grade.

Class Behavior: Students are expected to treat each other with courtesy. Positive attitude and cooperation is encouraged amongst classmates. You will not use cell phones in class in any form (no texting). Laptops can only be used with prior permission to take notes or if asked to bring in class. Doing any other work in class except related to class is not permissible. Homework for the class had to be done before coming to class. Refer to this link to have a better idea: https://sites.auburn.edu/admin/universitypolicies/Policies/PolicyonClassroomBehavior.pdf

COURSE ACTIVITIES:

Class lectures will be in the form of PowerPoints lectures and seminar style. The professor will make the students form groups in class. Each group will lead the discussion for a particular week for the seminar style of teaching. Students must be thorough with the class readings, as active participation is required in class.

Class exams: There will be two exams; a mid-term exam and a final. Since climatology is a subject that builds upon concepts, each test may contain some previously covered material. Some of the guest lectures and videos shown in class will also be included in test material. The exams will contain objective and short/long answer questions. As study guide will be provided before each exam. Make-up exams will be given only in the event of an illness or other verifiable emergency. If you miss the exam, please contact the departmental secretary or me as soon as possible.

Class project will be done in groups of 2 (undergrads) or individually (for graduates).

The project will consist of the development of and presentation on a topic involving any disastrous weather and climate events occurring on Earth. You will have to find the causes, impacts and solutions if any, to lessen the impacts of damaging weather events, locally and globally. This project will help you to relate and apply what you learnt in this class. Details will be discussed in class and a written guideline will be provided.

Class assignments will be spread out over the semester. Assignments have to be done individually or as teamwork, as specified in class by professor. While discussion and group activity is encouraged, the submitted assignments should be the student’s individual work. The assignments will consist of short question/answers or brief write-ups based on papers read and lectures.

Guest Speakers and field work: Guest speakers from within campus and outside will be invited to lecture in class. This will give the students an opportunity to interact with researchers in the field of urban studies and get different perspectives.

Exciting field trips will be arranged for visits, like Auburn weather monitoring station, ‘The Weather Channel’ in Atlanta. Field trips will be during class periods. If not within class timings, information will be provided ahead of time and organized to fit all student’s schedule. Few assignments will be based on the guest lectures as well as field trips.

TOPICS*

*The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations from this schedule may be necessary and will be announced to the class.