CITY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF EARTH & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
THE ATMOSPHERE
EAS101/Section 3756
FALL 2012
Number of credits: 3
Lecturer: Dr. Enid Lotstein
elotstein@sci.ccny.cuny.edu (include class in subject heading)
Office Hours: By appointment
Skype Hours: To be announced and posted on Blackboard
Office Phone: (212) 650-6984
Office Room: Marshak 106
Class will meet as follows:
Mondays/Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Classroom: Marshak 107
Textbook: F.K. Lutgens and E.J. Tarbuck. 2013, The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology,
12th Edition, Pearson.
Although the new book costs $150, students may rent it for half that price electronically. Both are
available through the college bookstore. Additionally, it is acceptable for students to use a used copy
of the 11th edition, although it is not available through the bookstore.
It is the student`s responsibility to acquire the textbook for the purpose of learning the
content of this course. It is not acceptable to rely only on lecture slides.
The following topics will be covered in the course:
Schedule subject to change.
Aug 27
29
Sep 3
5
10
M
W
M
W
M
Chapter 1 - Intro to the Atmosphere
Chapter 1 - Intro to the Atmosphere
No Classes
Chapter 2 - Heating Earth's Surface & Atmosphere
Chapter 2 - Heating Earth's Surface & Atmosphere
12
17
19
24
26
Oct 1
3
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
Chapter 3 - Temperature
No Classes
Chapter 4 - Moisture & Atmospheric Stability
No Classes
Chapter 5 - Condensation & Precipitation
Chapter 6 - Air Pressure & Winds
8
M
No Classes
10
M
SCHED.
Chapter 7 - Circulation of the Atmosphere
15
17
22
24
29
31
Nov 5
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
Chapter 7 - Circulation of the Atmosphere
7
12
14
19
21
26
28
Dec 3
5
10
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
Chapter 10/11 - Thunderstorms & Tornadoes, Hurricanes
Chapter 11 - Hurricanes
Chapter 12 - Weather Forecasting
Chapter 12 - Weather Forecasting
Chapter 13 - Air Pollution
Chapter 13 - Air Pollution
Chapter 14 - Climate Change
Chapter 15 - World Climates & Vegetation
Chapter 15 - World Climates & Vegetation
Chapter 15 - World Climates & Vegetation
12
W
Midterm Exam: Chapters 1-7
Chapter 8 - Air Masses/Chapter 9 - Weather Patterns
Chapter 9 - Weather Patterns
Chapter 10 - Thunderstorms & Tornadoes
Final Exam: Chapters 8-15
In this course we will explore meteorology and climatology and how weather and climate affect us. Topics
will include weather forecasting, climate change and environmental issues relating to weather and climate.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes:
The student who successfully completes this course can:
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demonstrate an understanding of methodologies employed by natural scientists.
understand the nature of scientific inquiry and see examples of how hypotheses are formulated and
tested as well as learn about the development of some significant scientific theories.
understand the basic chemistry and physics of atmospheric processes.
understand the development of weather analysis and forecasts.
understand past climate change and how it relates to the present and future.
understand feedback mechanisms and how they relate to climate.
understand world climate distribution and how it can change.
understand how climate affects biogeography
advance to other courses in climatology and meteorology
Grading System:
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
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40%
60%
You are expected to arrive to class on time, attend all classes and participate in class
discussions.
Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off or put on vibrate and put
away for the duration of the class. TEXTING DURING CLASS IS RUDE – PLEASE DON’T
DO IT! If you need to take a call or message during class, please step outside.
Exams are multiple choice and require you to fill in those little circles with a number 2 pencil.
Don't forget an eraser. I do not bring pencils to exams.
Clean up after yourself. Don't leave your empty water bottles, coffee cups, etc.
Many lectures will complement the textbook. It is important, therefore, that you attend class
and take good notes. Poor attendance usually results in a poor final grade.
No extra credit is given. Whatever effort you would put into an extra credit assignment, put
into performing well on exams.
Cell Phones, Programmable Calculators, Calculators, PDAs, IPODs (or any such electronic
device) and/or ear phones of any kind are prohibited from all exams. They must be turned off
and put away. Violators will be required to leave the exam, a grade of zero will be recorded
and disciplinary action will be initiated through the Dean of Students.
The exams will emphasize vocabulary and concepts. Therefore, pay particular attention to
words or terms in the textbook that are italicized or appear in bold print. Do the same for
words or terms that are emphasized during lectures. Pay close attention to graphs, charts and
pictures. Study with two or more people. If you can explain it to another, you know it well.
Once the first student has completed the exam and left the room no late comers will be
admitted to the exam. All late comers admitted to the exam must return their exam at the end
of the scheduled exam time. No additional time will be allowed.
A valid CCNY College ID is required to take exams. You will be required to show your ID at
exam time.
Plagiarism, dishonesty, or cheating in any portion of the work required for this course will be
punished to the full extent allowed according to City College regulations.