Collect meteorological data
Student Assessment Guide (SAG)
This subject is assessed directly from the following unit;
Unit Code
MSS024007A
Unit Title
Collect & evaluate meteorological data
Collect meteorological data
SAG
Subject purpose
This subject covers the ability to site and set up basic ‘ground level’ meteorological
equipment and collect and record reliable data. It also includes the ability to assess data
quality, interpret significant data features and use the data to ensure the validity of air and
noise monitoring measurements
Assessment
Assessment for this subject will consist of a variety of skill and knowledge based evidence
constructed from specific tasks spread out throughout the unit’s duration that will include
the following items;
•
Formative assessments (skill based)
•
Calculations spreadsheet with data interpretation report
•
Set-up a portable met station with written procedure
•
Theory exam
The assessment weighting for each component will be as follows;
Assessment Task
Weighting
Theory / Study modules
35%
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
10%
Practical assessment (setting up met station)
25%
Data collection & treatment
15%
Analytical Report
15%
TOTAL
100%
Subject content
This subject deals with setting up a portable (or stationary) meteorological station, including
the following aspects;
•
Preparing for field work and field safety
•
Performing meteorological measurements
•
Data analysis & interpretation
•
Reporting of results
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Collect meteorological data
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SAG
Learning the basic science behind meteorology and measurements including;
o the need for meteorological measurements
o the physics of energy and atmospheric spectroscopy
o physical and chemical composition of the atmosphere
o horizontal and vertical movement of air
o measurement science
These aspects will be performed using the following tools;
•
Learner resource
•
Spreadsheets
•
Portable met station
•
Internet access to meteorological websites
Grading
Your results will be reported as DISTINCTION, CREDIT, PASS or FAIL. To receive a particular
grade you must get at least the mark shown below:
Your results will be reported as DISTINCTION, CREDIT, PASS (AC) or FAIL (NYC). To receive a
particular grade you must get at least the mark shown below:
Grade
Class mark
DISTINCTION
>=83
CREDIT
>=70
PASS (ACHIEVED COMPETENCY)
>=50
FAIL (NOT YET COMPETENT)
<50
Delivery strategy
This subject is assessed directly against the unit’s performance criteria.
Unit
MSL974007A
Elements
Performance
Criteria
Subject
Weighting
Unit
Weighting
All
All
100%
100%
NOTE: The subject weighting MUST add up to 100 for the subject, but the Unit Weighting MAY NOT add up to
100 as each unit is weighted differently in each subject it is used in. Refer to cffet.net/env/assessment for
further explanation.
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Collect meteorological data
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What you will need
To complete this subject successfully you will need;
•
Computer with internet access and spreadsheet software & email
•
Flash drive
•
Manuals for the met station
•
Learner resource
Where to get help
Contact your teacher [www.cffet.net/env/contacts] if you run into any trouble this unit. You
would be surprised how flexible we are at accommodating your needs, but communication
is key. If you don’t let us know you are having trouble, we may have trouble trying to help
you.
Resources and references
Resources
•
Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au)
•
Davis Vantage 2 Pro console manual
•
Davis Vantage 2 Pro sensor manual
•
MetExplore spreadsheet
•
AS2923-1987-Measurement of horizontal wind for air quality applications
•
NEPM (Ambient Air Quality) Technical Paper No. 6
References
Note that you are not required to purchase, download or read these references (unless
specifically directed to by your teacher). Some of these resources might be available from
your teacher or library for free.
(NSW), E. P. (2000). NSW Industrial Noise Policy. Sydney: Environmental Protection
Authority (NSW).
Ahrens, C. D. (2000). Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere. 4th Ed.
USA: Cengage, Brooks-Cole.
Billo, J. (2011). Excel for Chemists, 3rd Ed. Hoboken: Wiley.
Brock, F. V. (2001). Meteorological Measurement Systems. New York: Oxford University
press.
Burden, F. E. (2002). Environmental Monitoring Handbook. McGraw-Hill Professional.
El-Rabbany, A. (2002). Introduction to GPS: The Global Positioning System. London: Artech
House.
Hughes, P. E. (2011). Introduction to Health and Safety at Work: The Handbook for the
NEBOSH National General Certificate, 5th Ed. Massachusetts: ButterworthHeinemann.
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Kester, W. (2004). Analogue-Digital Conversion. United States: Analogue Devices.
Manahan, S. (2000). Environmental Chemistry. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers.
Manly, B. (2009). Statistics for environmental science and management. Boca Raton: Taylor
& Francis Group.
NSW-EPA. (2012). Requirements for publishing pollution monitoring data. Sydney:
Environmental Protection Authority.
Sturman, A. E. (2000). The weather and climate of Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne:
Oxford University Press.
Turco, R. P. (1997). Earth Under Siege: From Air Pollution to Global Change. Oxford: Oxford
University press.
vanLoon, G. W. (2011). Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective. New York: Oxford
University Press.
Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011. (n.d.).
Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2011. (n.d.).
Resources
•
Australian Standards can be found here (TAFE Login required)
•
Information related to meteorology monitoring is found here
Assessment Submission
Submission
Students are to submit all assessments by the due date to the subject teacher by email using
the following filename format;
firstname-surname-assessmentname-duedate
Visit cffet.net/env/assessment for more information on submitting assessments, file names
and available file extensions that you can use.
More about assessment
You can access more information about assessment from the following two sites;
•
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/courses/about/assessment_guide.htm
•
http://www.cffet.net/env/assessment
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