PIERCE COLLEGE
Department of Earth and Space Sciences
ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE 101
INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER
PROF. ROBERT J. SAGER
SPRING QUARTER 2010
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A study of the Earth’s atmosphere, including the major elements and controls of weather and
climate. Lab included. (5-units, GER-NS). The course will cover the essential topics in
meteorology: solar radiation, temperature, air pressure, wind, clouds, precipitation, and storms.
Environmental issues such as air pollution and global climate change will also be addressed.
TEXTBOOK
Ahrens, C. D. (2008). Essentials of Meteorology: An invitation to the atmosphere. (5thed).
Belmont, CA: Thompson Brooks/Cole.
GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE
TEXT ASSIGNMENTS
A. INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER, SOLAR ENERGY AND TEMPERATURE
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Earth’s atmosphere - composition and structure
Solar radiation and warming the Earth
Atmospheric light, color, and optics
Air temperature
EXAM 1 (Week 4)
Chap. 1
Chap. 2
Chap. 15
Chap. 3
B. AIR PRESSURE, WINDS, AND GLOBAL CIRCULATION
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Air pressure and winds
Global atmospheric circulation
Global climate change
EXAM 2 (Week 6)
Chap. 6
Chap. 7
Chap. 14
C. ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE
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Humidity, condensation, and clouds
Cloud development and precipitation
Air pollution and acid rain
EXAM 3 (Week 8)
Chap. 4
Chap. 5
Chap. 12
D. WEATHER PATTERNS, FORECASTING, AND STORMS
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Air masses, fronts, and middle-latitude cyclones
Weather forecasting
Thunderstorms and tornadoes
Tropical weather and hurricanes
EXAM 4 (Week 10)
Chap. 8
Chap. 9
Chap. 10
Chap. 11
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CLASS AND OFFICE
Classroom and Lab: Rainier RAI-235 (Item #3004)
Lecture: 11:00-11:50 am, MTWTh.
Lab: 1:00-2.50 pm, W
Office: Rainier RAI- 236
Office hours: 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, MTTh, 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm W, and 11:00 am to
12:00 noon F, and by appt.
Phone: (253) 964-6671
E-mail: rsager@pierce.ctc.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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Apply the scientific method and the metric system to meteorology.
Demonstrate an ability to use critical thinking to be able to differentiate between
scientific facts and opinion.
Appreciate the complexity of Earth’s atmosphere, and its variety of weather and
climate.
Describe the basic Earth-Sun relationships, including rotation, revolution, and
seasons.
Explain the role of solar radiation in the Earth’s heat balance.
Discuss the major controls of temperature and contrast temperature in the three major
temperature scales.
Define barometric pressure and explain its relationship to daily weather changes,
wind, and global circulation patterns.
Discuss, diagram, and contrast cyclones and anticyclones.
Discuss the possible major natural and human causes of global climate change.
Identify by observation, the major cloud types and discuss their formation conditions.
Distinguish the four major types of precipitation and the weather conditions that
produce each.
Describe the movement of water through the hydrologic cycle.
Demonstrate how to measure humidity and its relation to dew point and
condensation.
Recognize and describe the major forms of air pollution and the causes of acid rain.
Diagram a mid-latitude cyclone model and describe the role of air masses and fronts
within the system.
Compare and contrast mid-latitude cyclones, tornadoes, and hurricanes in terms of
geographic location, formation conditions, size, and natural hazard potential.
Summarize the role of weather satellites, radar, radiosondes, and computer models in
weather forecasting.
Discuss the seasonal weather patterns and regional climates of Washington and the
Pacific Northwest.
Demonstrate the ability to access weather and climate data from the Internet.
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COURSE WEBSITES
Instructor’s course website: http://sager.pageout.net. This website will give you course
information and provide web links to other weather Internet resources.
Textbook online learning center: http://earthscience.brookscole.com/ahrens/ess5e
National Weather Service Home Page: http://www.noaa.gov
COURSE POLICIES
Course Grade:
The course grade is based on the 100% scale (of 500 total points) and includes exams, quizzes,
laboratory exercises, and attendance.
Grade scale:
Letter
%
Numeric
A
A-
95-100%
90-94
3.9-4.0
3.5-3.8
B+
B
B-
86-89
82-85
79-81
3.2-3.4
2.9-3.1
2.5-2.8
C+
C
C-
75-78
70-74
66-69
2.2-2.4
1.9-2.1
1.5-1.8
D+
D
D-
62-65
58-61
55-57
1.2-1.4
0.9-1.1
0.7-0.8
F
below 55%
0.0-0.6
Examinations and Quizzes:
There will be four scheduled exams on each of the four major topic headings in the course
outline. All exams are announced one week prior to the exam date. Bring a Scantron form, #2
pencil, and blank sheet of paper to each exam. Objective and essay questions may be given. Each
exam will cover approximately three to five textbook chapters, several laboratory exercises, and
related classroom activities. The lowest score of one of the first three exams will be dropped. One
missed exam will be considered the lowest score and dropped. There are no make-up exams. (100
points each, total = 300 points).
There will be several announced map and laboratory quizzes (100 points).
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Laboratory Assignments:
There are ten (10) laboratory assignments (10 pts each = 100 points), including in-lab activities,
outside observations, and Internet research. Lab meets from 1:00-2:50 pm Wednesday, in
Cascade 203. You must attend lab and complete the lab assignments to pass the course.
Weekly laboratory assignments include:
1. Length of daylight observations
2. Metric system conversion of weather and climate data
3. Temperature controls and Earth-Sun relationships
4. Internet sources for weather and climate data
5. Researching the Internet for air pollution and climate change data
6. Isobar and wind mapping
7. Humidity measurements, hydrographs, and rainfall mapping
8. Cloud observation and identification
9. Air masses, fronts, and middle-latitude cyclones
10. Tornadoes and hurricanes
Late lab assignments may be downgraded 2-points per day. Extra credit is not accepted.
Class Expectations and Participation:
The expectation is that you will attend class and participate in class discussions, assignments, and
laboratory exercises, and that we will all respect the viewpoints of others. Failure to attend class
can have negative consequences for your grade. You are responsible on exams for material
covered in class lecture, discussions, laboratory exercises, videos, slide presentations, study
guides, as well as the assigned chapters in the textbook. Much of what is discussed in class cannot
always be found in the textbook. You are encouraged to ask questions, make relevant comments,
and provide personal environmental experiences in the classroom when appropriate.
The instructor expects all students to maintain an atmosphere where everyone can learn. Please be
on time and do not leave early. It is disruptive and rude to the rest of us when you arrive after
class has begun or leave before the session has ended. Do not visit or use mobile/cell phones
during class.
Attendance Policy:
“Regular attendance is vital to student success in this course. If you miss a class, it is your
responsibility to obtain notes, handouts, and class announcements from a classmate. Five (5)
absences are allowed without penalty. More than five absences may lower your final course grade
by 5%.”
Emergency Procedures:
For life-threatening emergencies call 911 and then Campus Safety 964-6751. In the event of an
emergency evacuation, gather all your personal belongings and leave the building using the
nearest safe exit. Be prepared to be outside for a minimum of an hour and stand a minimum of
200 feet from any building or structure. Do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed.
Should a class be cancelled, it is your responsibility to complete all readings and assignments on
time.