Course Outline Form: Winter 2015
General Information
Course Title: ENVS*4110 – Physical Meteorology
Course Description:
This course introduces the principles of physical meteorology, including structure and composition of
the atmosphere, radiative transfer, atmospheric energetics and cloud formation. All topics will be
discussed in terms of global climate change.
Credit Weight: 0.50
Academic Department (or campus): School of Environmental Sciences
Campus: Guelph
Semester Offering: W (odd-numbered years)
Class Schedule and Location:
MWF 10:30-11:20; ROZH 108
Instructor Information
Instructor Name: Jon Warland
Instructor Email: jwarland@uoguelph.ca
Office location and office hours: ALEX 108, Tue & Wed 13:00-15:00
GTA Information
GTA Name: N/A
GTA Email: N/A
GTA office location and office hours: N/A
Course Content
Specific Learning Outcomes:
Learning Outcomes
1.
Explain and draw schematic pictures to illustrate the physical meaning behind the basic equations
governing the atmosphere (hydrostatic, Poisson's, geostrophic, ideal gas law and Navier-Stokes).
2.
Use Reynold's decomposition to statistically describe turbulent atmospheric flows.
3.
Perform a numerical simulation of random turbulent diffusion using a spreadsheet (drunkard's
walk model) and describe results using Gaussian 1D diffusion equation.
4.
Interpret standard Environment Canada surface and upper air maps and use to make basic
forecasts.
5.
Define, describe and use in forecasting the concepts of: geopotential height, thickness, CAPE and
vorticity.
6.
Interpret a standard 4-panel model output map.
7.
Use the full suite of maps available from Environment Canada to perform a 48 hour forecast.
Lecture Content:
Tentative Schedule of lecture topics
Week Topics
Assessment
1
Assignment 1
Mass of the atmosphere, hydrostatic equation, Poisson's equation
2
Forces acting on the atmosphere, Ideal Gas Law
Assignment 2
3
Balance of Forces and Navier-Stokes, Geostrophic wind
Assignment 3
4
Review, catch-up
Mid term 1
5
Reynold's decomposition and turbulent statistics
6
Random walk modeling
Assignment 4
7
Review of surface maps and basic forecasting
Assignment 5
8
Upper air maps and their use in forecasting
Assignment 6
9
Map variables in detail: geopotential, geopotential height, thickness,
etc.
10
Skew-T diagrams and CAPE
11
4-panel model output maps, vorticity
12
Forecasting contest
Mid term 2
Forecast
Labs: N/A
Seminars: N/A
Course Assignments and Tests:
Assignment or Test
Due Date
Jan. 14
Contribution to Final
Mark (%)
6%
Learning Outcomes
Assessed
1
Mass of atmosphere
assignment
Forces and Ideal Gas
Law
Geostrophic and
Ekman spiral
Midterm 1
Random walk model
Forecast from surface
map
Forecast from 500 mb
map
Midterm 2
Forecast contest
(mark not based on
accuracy)
Jan. 21
6%
1
Jan. 28
6%
1
Jan. 30
Feb. 23
Mar. 4
15%
6%
6%
1
2,3
4
Mar. 11
6%
4
Mar. 20
Apr. 1
15%
14%
2,3,4,5
4,5,6,7
Assignment or Test
Due Date
Take-home final
Apr. 13
Contribution to Final
Mark (%)
20%
Learning Outcomes
Assessed
1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Final examination date and time: See above
Final exam weighting: See above
Course Resources
Required Texts: N/A
Recommended Texts: N/A
Lab Manual: N/A
Other Resources: Course material will be provided through CourseLink. Students may also
request printed copies of the class notes.
Field Trips: N/A
Additional Costs: N/A
Course Policies
Grading Policies
All assignments are due in class on the date specified. Late assignments will not be accepted
except where alternative arrangements have been made at least 48 hours prior to the due
date.
Course Policy on Group Work:
Students may complete the assignments individually or in pairs.
Course Policy regarding use of electronic devices and recording of lectures:
Electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without consent of the instructor. When
recordings are permitted they are solely for the use of the authorized student and may not
be reproduced, or transmitted to others, without the express written consent of the
instructor.
University Policies
Academic Consideration:
When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or
compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and
e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for
Academic Consideration: Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions
Academic Misconduct:
The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity
and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community, faculty, staff, and
students to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible
to prevent academic offences from occurring.
University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on
academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the
responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to
remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of
detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is
not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not
excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before
submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be
construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.
The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar:
Academic Misconduct Policy
Accessibility:
The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing
services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This
relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the
University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment.
Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability
or a short-term disability should contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities as soon as
possible.
For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email csd@uoguelph.ca or
see the website: Student Accessibility Services Website
Course Evaluation Information:
The School of Environmental Sciences takes student feedback seriously. The SES Director sees
all student feedback and discusses this feedback with the faculty where appropriate. Numerical
scores and signed student comments are reviewed by the School’s Tenure & Promotion
Committee, and are considered in our evaluation of the faculty member for the granting of
tenure, advancement in rank, and performance related salary increases. This committee will
NOT see comments that are not signed by the student. Faculty members are not able to access
their own teaching evaluations until after their final grades are submitted to the registrar.
Please refer to the Course and Instructor Evaluation Website
Drop date:
The last date to drop one-semester courses, without academic penalty, is March 6, 2015. For
regulations and procedures for Dropping Courses, see the Academic Calendar:
Current Undergraduate Calendar
Additional Course Information