PHS 109: Introduction to Meteorology - Internet
Fall 2006 Syllabus
Meteorology 109 on the web is a course designed by the American Meteorological
Society, which provides a unique approach to learning about the weather. Real-time
weather data will be used in conjunction with textbook material and a study guide, to
provide a hands-on learning experience.
Course Description: This four (4) credit course is offered in conjunction with the
American Meteorological Society (AMS). Emphasis is placed on movements and
processes of the atmosphere, radiation and atmospheric heating, global circulation,
weather systems, fronts and air masses, cloud physics, severe weather, and basic
forecasting skills. Included are two laboratory activities each week based on current
weather data provided by the AMS.
Course Materials: Weather Studies; Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences, Third
Edition: Joseph M. Moran: textbook. Weather Studies; Investigation Manual 2006-1007
and Summer of 2007: American Meteorological Society
All materials are available at the HCC bookstore.
Course Organization: There are two major components to the course, weekly
online learning activities and three (3) exams. The activities are obtained through the use
of the weather online web pages. These pages can only be accessed by a user name and
password (user name: hage116 password: wx!study) after you have signed up for the
class in blackboard. Click here to go to the weather online page –
http://www.ametsoc.org/amsedu/login.cfm . This link is also available under
external links on the blackboard course page.) For help in using the answer forms for the
activities read the users guide found on the Weather Studies home page.
I will not accept mailed copies of assignments. Please send them via an attachment or
an email. Hint: I found it easiest to copy the answer form off the AMS site and simply
paste it in my own email text box, ie…your own hotmail or aol account. From there you
can just simply modify the text to show the correct answers. Piece of cake 
Each week there are two learning activities, one is posted at noon the Monday of each
week and the second is available at noon on Wednesday. These activities must be emailed
to me no later than the following Sunday by 10:00 PM. Anything after that will not be
accepted and a zero will be given. I will make every effort to grade all assignments in a
timely manner. Keep in mind, the class does move quickly and it is essential to stay on
top of your weekly assignments. But don’t fret…your classmates and I will be there to
help you along via the discussion board and emails. Review the Activities Schedule for
the due dates for each activity.
The activities are the lab component of the course. The Reading and Exam Schedule
shows the chapters to be read for each week. Exam questions will be based on the
chapter readings in the Online Weather Studies Text and the lab activities.
Three (3) exams will be given and taken at the Testing Center on the third floor in the
LRC, Room 322 during the dates listed in the Grading Procedure table below. The
dates are subject to change at the professor’s discretion.
Grading Procedures
Weekly Lab Activities
2 Exams
Final Exam (Cumulative)
Total Grade
50%
15% Each
20%
100%
Exam 1 ----- Oct 2 – Oct 7
Exam 2 ----- Oct 30-Nov 4
Final Exam --- Dec 4-Dec 9
Good Luck!
Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the different layers of the atmosphere and the changes in air temperature that
occur in each.
2. Explain the differences between solar and terrestrial radiation and how they are
measured.
3. Distinguish the difference between heat and temperature.
4. Explain the importance of specific heat.
5. Define air pressure, and draw the wind circulation patterns associated with pressure
areas.
6. Use the Internet to obtain various weather data, and have an understanding of the
products available.
7. Compute specific, relative, and maximum humidity for parcels of air at different
altitudes.
8. Explain the different processes that produce precipitation.
9. Describe the life cycle of a thunderstorm cell.
10. Explain the processes that create, sustain, and weaken hurricanes, tornadoes, and
severe thunderstorms.
11. Analyze and explain a standard surface weather map.
Professor’s Objective: My objective for this class is for you, the students, to walk
away with a sparked interest in weather. I want this class to be fun and applicable, even
though the material can be challenging. I do not want anyone walking away feeling like
this was a waste of time. I want you to take what you have learned in the class and
discover new things about our world and have fun with it. I think weather is a pretty cool
topic (no pun intended) and it is something that a lot of people talk about, sometimes to
simply make conversation. After this class, it would be great to know that you are more
knowledgeable about the weather and can keep that conversation going. (Even if it was
just to pass time) So overall, enjoy the class, learn something neat, and have fun!