University of Michigan – Dearborn
College of Arts, Sciences and Letters
Department of Social Sciences
COURSE SYLLABUS
Geography 203 / Environmental Studies 203
Weather and Climate
Fall 2014
TR 8:00 – 9:15 am
Instructor:
Dr. Claudia Walters
Office:
2135 Social Sciences Building
Office Hours: Thursday 9:30-10:30 am and by appointment
Phone:
(313) 593-5636 (for emergencies only; I do not check voice mails)
Department Office: (313) 593-5096
Email:
ckwalter@umd.umich.edu
Website:
canvas.umd.umich.edu
Required Text and Materials:
Lutgens, F.K., and E. J. Tarbuck, 2013. The Atmosphere: An Introduction to
Meteorology. 12th Edition. Prentice Hall, 528 pp.
pencil, eraser, calculator
Course Description:
This course will provide an understanding of the nature of atmospheric processes. The
controls and conditions of Earth’s weather and climate are discussed. The impact of
weather on our daily lives is examined. Areas of emphasis include severe weather and
climatic change.
The course is fairly fast paced. I recommend that you do the required reading prior to
the class period in which the material will be covered. Class will consist primarily of
lecture and in-class discussions.
Learning Goals:
After successful completion of this course, the student will:
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Have a solid understanding of the use of the scientific method in climatological
inquiry
Be able to explain the features on a weather map and their impact on current
weather
Have an understanding of the factors that are responsible for geographic
differences in climate (i.e., temperature, precipitation, general circulation)
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Be familiar with the recommendations on how to protect oneself during severe
weather episodes
Have an understanding of the causes and manifestations of global climate change
and its potential impacts
Grading & Classroom Policies:
The final grade will be based on the following:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
Assignments
Quizzes, Participation
15%
20%
20%
20%
15%
10%
Evaluation:
A+
A
A-
98-100%
93-97%
90-92%
C+
C
C-
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
B+
B
B-
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
D+
D
D-
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
E
<60%
Schedule for exams, quizzes and assignments:
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Please refer to the syllabus page on Canvas for exam dates.
The dates for homework assignments and quizzes will be posted in Canvas during the
semester to correspond with the respective units.
Grading policies:
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The exams are not cumulative. However, the material at the end of the semester
builds on material that is covered earlier in the semester. Therefore, I expect every
student to know the basic concepts that were covered up to that point in the
semester.
I do not offer make-up exams unless you contact me BEFORE the scheduled
examination and offer an acceptable excuse.
I expect all students to be present at the start of exam times. If you arrive late for an
exam, you may not be allowed to take it.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class, unless otherwise specified. If you have
trouble completing an assignment on time (e.g., because of technical problems),
contact me BEFORE the deadline.
Late assignments will have 5% of the total number of points deducted for each day
that the assignment is late.
Assignments will not be accepted once graded assignments have been returned.
Participation in class activity is encouraged and will be rewarded.
Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will fail the course and will be reported to the
Dean.
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Communication:
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You are responsible for checking your UMD email account regularly for
announcements.
If you have questions, feel free to email me. I will try to respond within 24 h from
Monday - Friday. If you don’t hear from me within 24 h, please send a reminder.
Identify yourself and the course in your emails. Don’t leave me guessing!!
As common courtesy, please use correct grammar and punctuation in your emails.
As part of course participation, I invite all students to use the chat room to post
questions and to answer each other’s questions. I will monitor the chat room and
provide clarification, if necessary.
If you run into technical difficulties that prevent you from taking an online quiz or
completing a homework assignment, please send me an email before the deadline so I
can try to remedy the situation.
Classroom Etiquette:
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To minimize distractions in the classroom, I expect all students to arrive on time and
to depart when class has been dismissed.
Please put away your phones at the beginning of class. Similarly, please put away any
other electronic devices that may prove distracting.
A laptop or tablet is to be used for course-related activities only. Text messaging is
never appropriate during class.
Keys to success
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Regularly attend class.
You are responsible for all the material that was covered in class and for all the
announcements that were made in class or via email.
Read the assigned reading materials before class and review after class.
Don’t memorize the material – find ways to quiz yourself or each other
Study the figures and charts
Ask questions either in class, via email, in the chat room. The material later in the
course builds on earlier concepts. If you don’t understand something, ask questions
and get help. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
”A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer” – unknown
Statement on Academic Integrity:
The University of Michigan – Dearborn values academic honesty and integrity. Each
student has a responsibility to understand, accept, and comply with the University’s
standards of academic conduct as set forth by the Code of Academic Conduct, as well
as policies established by the schools and colleges. Cheating, collusion, misconduct,
fabrication, and plagiarism are considered serious offenses. Violations will not be
tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including expulsion from the
University. Students are strongly encouraged to explore the Tutorial on Academic
Integrity and Plagiarism at http://webapps.umd.umich.edu/aim/
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Disability Resource Services:
The University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented
disabilities. Students need to register with Disability Resource Services every
semester they are enrolled for classes. DRS is located in Counseling & Support
Services, 2157 UC. To be assured of having services when they are needed, students
should register no later than the end of the add/drop deadline of each term.
UM-Dearborn’s Attendance Policy:
A student is expected to attend every class and laboratory for which he or she has
registered. Each instructor may make known to the student his or her policy with
respect to absences in the course. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of this
policy. The instructor makes the final decision to excuse or not to excuse an absence.
An instructor is entitled to give a failing grade (E) for excessive absences or an
Unofficial Drop (UE) for a student who stops attending class at some point during the
semester.
Emergency Preparedness:
Please program 911 into your cell phones. You should also program Public Safety’s
phone number (313) 593-5333 into your cell phone. In case of emergency you should
first dial 911. If the situation allows, also call UM-Dearborn Public Safety to ensure the
quickest response time possible.
You are strongly encouraged to register for the campus Emergency Alert System. This
system will be used to communicate with the campus community during an emergency
incident. More information on the system and how it works, along with a link to enroll
in the system can be found at: http://umemergencyalert.umd.umich.edu/ Please note
that the system will only communicate through an individual’s UM-Dearborn email
account so if you primarily use a non-university account, you should forward your UMDearborn email to your primary account.
For other recommended emergency procedures, please see:
http://umdearborn.edu/695622/
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