COURSE NUMBER/TITLE/CREDITS:
EASC 151 Introduction to Weather 4 Semester Credit Hours , 3 Lecture Contact Hours and 2
Lab Contact Hours. Course Meets TR 11-12:15, Lab T 12:30-2:20
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: Completion of Math through Beginning Algebra level or assessment. This course is a survey of atmospheric processes, structure, and composition. A two hour lab each week will focus on variables that influence day-to-day weather conditions. Atmospheric environmental concerns will also be discussed
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
--Name: Mark Finley
--Office Location: RM 2404, Instructional Commons Building
Phone: (309) 268-8642
Email: mark.finley@heartland.edu
--Office Hours and Accessibility: --Office Hours and Accessibility: MW 9:00-10:00, 12:00–
12:30, TR 8:30-9:30. You’re welcome to try or contact me at anytime. Appointments can also be made at your convenience. The times that the course meets are clearly listed in the Credit
Course Schedule.
Textbook:
Ahrens, Essentials of Meteorology, 5 th
/6th Edition, West Publishing
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
EASC 151 fulfills 4 of the 7(A.A.) or 8(A.S.) semester hours of credit in the Life/Physical
Sciences required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. EASC 151 transfers as part of the General
Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
Beliefs:
Academic Discipline
Understanding the atmosphere involves use of physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, and radiation transfer. This course will serve as an introduction to these disciplines.

Student Learning
Students must take an active role in the learning process or it will not take place. Desire and effort are the key ingredients in student success.
Instructors Role
The instructor is responsible for fostering an atmosphere conducive to learning, with the ultimate objective to develop student interest and to transfer knowledge.
LEARNING OUTCOMES (COURSE OBJECTIVES):
Course Outcomes HCC General Education
Outcomes
Range of Assessment
Methods
1.
Understand earth’s atmospheric composition and structure
2.
Recognize elements of heat transfer and the relationships to seasonal patterns.
3.
Demonstrate an understanding and ability to solve problems related to pressure, humidity and temperature.
4.
Understand the dynamics of thunderstorms and severe weather .
5.
Demonstrate the ability to produce a weather forecast using various atmospheric and model inputs.
Throughout the semester students will achieve the following General Education
Outcomes. Course outcomes may correlate to one or more of the following General
Education Outcomes.
PS 4: Student analyzes the situation, explores different outcomes from multiple frameworks, applies the appropriate solution, analyzes the results, and redefines the solution
CO 2: Student effectively delivers a message via channels/modalities
CT 3: Students generate an answer, approach, or solution through an effective synthesis of diverse sources and arguments and provide a rationale
DI 2: Student considers the views of others in light of those persons’ experiences and particular understandings
The following are possible formative assessments an instructor may use to assess student learning and course pedagogy: group discussion, student presentations, worksheets, in-class questions, selfassessment exercises, end-of chapter exercises, lab exercises
The following are possible summative assessments that an instructor may use: exams, papers, quizzes, projects, presentations, other assessments may also be applied as deemed appropriate by the instructor

Course/Lab Outline:
1. Atmospheric composition and structure
2. Radiation
3. Heat and temperature
4. Heat Imbalance and weather
5. Pressure
6. Humidity, stability and clouds
7. Precipitation, weather modification and atmospheric optics
8. Atmospheric motion
9. Global circulation
10. Synoptic scale weather
11. Local and regional circulations
12. Thunderstorms
13. Tornadoes and Hurricanes
14. Forecasting
Methods of Instruction:
Lecture, discussion and laboratory. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and contribute to discussion throughout. Labs will provide an opportunity to explore concepts presented in the lecture.
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
100-90% A
89-80% B
79-70% C
69-60% D
-60% F
There will be five formal tests, and the lowest test score will be dropped. The remaining four tests are worth 70% of your final grade. No makeup tests will be given , if you miss a test that will be the test that you drop. Quizzes, homework, and labs will be worth 30%. No late labs are accepted . Labs are due at the beginning of the following lab period.
NO TEXT MESSAGING DURING CLASS, NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES CAN BE
ACCESSED DURING TESTS. Please leave class to text message.
Following these steps will assist the student in achieving success:
A. Attend lectures and lab regularly.
B. Participate in class discussions. Your ideas and thoughts are important.
C. Ask questions when you do not understand or need something clarified. Take an active role in the learning process.
D. Read the assigned material in the textbook before class.
E. Review class notes.
F. Review the key terms and questions for review at the end of the chapter.
G. Turn in required materials on time.
H. Attend labs ready to spend the entire lab period working.

Participation (or Attendance)
Regular class attendance is an important part of educational success and is expected of all students.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a message from the instructor.
Make-up of tests and assignments
Labs must be turned in at the beginning of the following lab period. There will be no test, quiz or lab makeups , if you miss a test that will be the test that you drop. Be on time for tests, you will not be allowed to take the test if you arrive after the first person has completed the test and left the room.
SIGNIFICANT DATES:
21 Jan
11-16 Mar
8 May
10-16 May
Last Day of Class
Finals Week
COURSE CALENDAR (subject to modification, weeks are estimates only)
Chapter
Martin Luther King Day
Spring Break
1 - Weeks 1,2 - Overview, Vertical Structure -
2 -Weeks 2,3 – Heat Transfer, Earth/Sun Relationships
3 -Week 4 – Seasons, Temperature
TEST
Chapter 4 – Weeks 5, 6 – Atmospheric Moisture, Clouds
5 – Week 7, 8 – Adiabatic Processes, Stability, Precip Types
TEST
Chapter
TEST
Chapter
TEST
Chapter
TEST
6 – Week 9- Pressure
7 – Week 10 – Atmospheric Circulations, Global and Local
8 – Weeks 11, 12 – Air Masses and Fronts
9 – Week 13 – Forecasting Methods
10 – Weeks 14, 15 – Thunderstorms, Severe Weather
11 – Week 16 - Hurricanes

Course objectives that are outlined on the syllabus may vary slightly. Some material may be expanded and or deleted as time allows. The objective is to learn, not to cover as much material as possible. Labs mays also be manipulated or changed to better meet the objectives of the course. Any dates or schedules listed on the syllabus may also be changed by the instructor if deemed necessary.
LAB CALENDER (subject to modification)
WEEK LAB
1
2
3
The Atmosphere, Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
Temperature, Isopleths, Soil and Water Differential Heating
4
5
6
Seasons, Earth/Sun Relationships
Humidity Labs, Worksheet
Chapter Four Questions/Discussion
7
8
Adiabatic Lab
Pressure, Isobar Analysis
Upper Air Pressure Surfaces
9 Student Presentations/ Atmospheric Circulations
10 Fronts and Air Masses
11 Numerical Weather Prediction
12 Weather Forecasting
13 Forecast Discussions
14 Forecast Discussions
15 Forecast Discussions