GEOG 460- Atmospheric Dynamics
University of Tennessee at Martin
Department of Agriculture, Geosciences & Natural Resources
Course Syllabus, Spring 2014
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Office Hours:
Chris Karmosky
201-C Johnson EPS
ckarmosk@utm.edu
12:00PM-12:55PM MWF, 2:00-3:00 MW otherwise by
appointment (email: ckarmosk@utm.edu)
Course Time:
TR 1:00-2:40
Room:
227 EPS
Course Prerequisites:
GEOG 305 (Principles of Meteorology), GEOG 440
(Atmospheric Thermodynamics), MATH 330
(Differential Equations, may be taken concurrently
with instructor’s permission)
Required Text:
An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Fifth Edition
(Holton and Hakim)
Why would I want to take this course?
This course is the second of two courses that examine the physics of the
atmosphere. Atmospheric Dynamics focuses on motion and circulation in the
atmosphere, and builds upon the principles covered in Atmospheric
Thermodynamics.
Evaluation:
The grade for this course will be based on weekly problem sets, three midterm exams,
and a final exam. The point breakdown is as follows:
Four Exams, one being final (100 Points each), Lowest dropped
Ten Problem Sets (25 Points each), Lowest two dropped (Some
may be in-class as necessary)
Four weather discussions (20 points each)
Final Paper (100 Points)
Total: Approximately 680 Points
Students are expected to take all quizzes, midterms, and the final exam on the scheduled
dates. For this course, I will drop the lowest exam grade and lowest two problem set
grades. No make-ups will be administered; exams where students must be absent will count
as the dropped exam. Unless otherwise stated, all projects are due at 5PM on the due date at
the top of the assignment. Electronic submissions of typed work will be accepted. Late
work will be accepted, but only for partial credit. A deduction of 10% per day (up to a
maximum deduction of 50%) of the point value will apply for late work. No late work will
be accepted after April 25. It is your personal responsibility to: adhere to the guidelines
set forth in this syllabus, keep up with impromptu changes, study, and complete all
assignments and exams.
Attendance:
Class time is my primary communication of revised deadlines, changes to the syllabus,
and is the primary time that I distribute course handouts and assignments. While such
handouts and assignments are usually also disseminated via email and/or blackboard, it is
not the instructor’s responsibility to provide electronic copies of materials to you if you
were not present in class when they were distributed. Students are responsible for all
course material and are expected to participate in classroom activities and discussion. I
often scoff at the question “Did I miss anything important?” because if I didn’t feel it
were important, I wouldn’t cover it in class. Furthermore, because attendance is an
expectation, not “going above and beyond”, I do not give extra credit points or have an
attendance portion factored into my grading scheme. I do, however, as discussed below,
deduct points if students fail to attend class consistently. If you cannot attend class for
some reason, you are personally responsible for the information covered. ***I will be
happy to discuss what was covered, but it is NOT my responsibility to provide you with a
detailed overview or a set of notes.*** After two unexcused absences, one percentage
point will be deducted from your total course grade for each additional unexcused
absences.
Religious Holidays:
I will make every reasonable effort to allow students to observe their religious holidays
without penalty. If you must miss class, however, it is still your responsibility to make up
any missed material. Please let me know the dates you will miss well ahead of time.
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty and integrity is expected in this course (and any other course at UTMartin for that matter). You are expected to produce work that is entirely your own for
each and every assignment. All quizzes and exams are closed-note, closed-book, and
closed-neighbor. Take-home assignments must also be your own work. While asking
questions regarding the subject material is permissible, copying and/or paraphrasing
another person’s work will be considered plagiarism.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
 Copying sections (or even single lines) of another person’s work without
attribution.
 Using a line from another person’s work, and citing it, but not putting it into
quotes or your own words



Inserting a quote without appropriate context—at that point you are turning in the
other person’s work, not your own
Using information that is not “basic knowledge” from a source without citing the
source, even if you put that information into your own words
Writing facts and figures without attributing their source
Facilitating academic dishonesty is also considered academic dishonesty. Again,
operating by the “better safe than sorry” principle works best, and I would encourage
students who feel uncomfortable giving assistance to a student to refer that student to me
for assistance. While I may not be able to detect each and every instance of plagiarism,
know that this is something I take seriously, and I have assigned failing grades for
assignments where plagiarism has occurred in the past. For me to do otherwise would be
unfair to the majority of students who are honest. In the world outside of the university,
representing another person’s work as your own is something that can get you fired from
a job and can incur fines and prosecution depending on the severity. Any academic
dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the assignment, and will be reported to the
Division of Student Affairs.
Classroom Etiquette:
1. Cell phones should be turned off or set to vibrate when entering the class. Text
messaging is NOT allowed during class at any time. If you receive a call or
message, ignore it until class is over (or leave the room if the call is an emergency)
2. Texting, consulting notes, or consulting electronic material of any sort during
exams is considered a violation of academic integrity. This includes looking at a
phone, iPod or tablet to check the time. You will be asked to turn in your paper
immediately, receive a “0” for that exam, which may lead to failing the course.
Operating by the “better safe than sorry” principle is expected. If you opt to take a
call or message and leave the room during any graded (closed-book) activity, you
will NOT be allowed to continue. You will be required to turn in the paper
immediately. IF you find yourself entering an exam with the expectation of an
urgent message that cannot wait for the end of the session (e.g., family medical
situation that could change at any moment), please inform me of that issue prior
to class. Depending upon the situation, I may be able to make suitable
arrangements.
3. Refrain from excessive talking as it disrupts the normal learning environment. If
you desire to engage in such behavior, you may be asked you leave the room.
4. Laptops and tablets are not generally allowed to be used in the classroom, though
if special circumstances arise, please consult with me. Web surfing or instant
messaging during class will not be tolerated—you will be dismissed from the
class and recorded as an unexcused absence.
5. Please inform your instructor when you may have to arrive late or leave early,
preferably in advance.
6. Be patient and courteous to other students and your professor. Courtesy includes
having a good attitude, paying attention (listening to me when I am speaking and
others when they ask a question), even when the subject may be obvious to you.
7. The classroom operates under a “Hats Off” policy during exams and sunglasses
should not be worn in the classroom; absolutely not during examinations.
8. Communication between students and instructors via email is common. Emails
should be written in standard English, complete with appropriate punctuation.
Emails written in “text speak” will not be read.
Student Success Center, Office of Disability Services:
If you require additional accommodations as the result of a disability, it is your
responsibility, within the first two weeks of class, to coordinate with the Office of
Disability Services as per the guidelines below.
Students have the following roles in the academic accommodation process:

Identify themselves to the Office of Disabilities Services if they need
accommodations;

Provide documentation of their disability to the Office of Disabilities Services;

Participate with the Office of Disabilities Services in the interactive process of
determining and implementing reasonable accommodations;

Make arrangements for accommodations by providing their professors with a
letter from the Office of Disabilities Services approving accommodations and
work directly with the professors and staff involved in the provision of an
approved accommodation; and

Inform the Office of Disabilities Services when accommodations are not
provided, accommodations are not working, accommodations need to be
modified, or symptoms change.
I will work within the guidelines suggested by the student success center, and will take all
reasonable actions necessary to provide necessary accommodations.
Please visit the following page for more information:
http://www.utm.edu/departments/success/disability.php
Writing Center:
The Hortense Parrish Writing center is a resource for any student who would like
individualized help in improving their writing. The Writing Center is open to students for
tutoring, computer use, printing, workshops, reading, and general study, and I encourage
you to take advantage of this resource! Their web URL is below:
http://www.utm.edu/departments/writingcenter/
***I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as we go along. You will still
be responsible for the changes announced in class***
Schedule: (Assigned Readings in Italics)
Week 1:
Thursday (1/9)
Introduction, AMS Conference Logistics
Week 2:
Week 3:
Tuesday (1/14)
Chapter 1: Structure of the Static Atmosphere,
Pressure as a Vertical Coordinate, Scale
Analysis
Assign Hwk. #1 (Scale Analysis)
Thursday (1/16)
Chapter 2: Basic Conservation Laws, Equations
of Motion, Scale Analysis of the Equations of
Motion
Tuesday (1/21)
Chapter 2: Continuity Equation,
Thermodynamics of the Dry Atmosphere,
Boussinesq Approximation
**Homework #1 Due**, Assign Hwk #2 (Scale
Analyses and Thermodynamics)
Thursday (1/23)
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Chapter 2: Thermodynamics of the Moist
Atmosphere
Tuesday (1/28)
Chapter 3: Balanced Flow
**Homework #2 Due**
Thursday (1/30)
**Exam #1**
Tuesday (2/4)
NO CLASS (AMS Conference)
Thursday (2/6)
Chapter 3: Trajectories and Streamlines,
Thermal Wind, Vertical Motion, Surface
Pressure Tendency, Assign Hwk #3 (Flow)
Tuesday (2/11)
Chapter 4: Circulation, Vorticity, Vorticity
Equation
Thursday (2/13)
Chapter 4: Potential Vorticity
***Homework #3 Due *, Assign Hwk #4
(Vorticity)
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week 12:
Week 13:
Tuesday (2/18)
Chapter 5: Atmospheric Oscillations and Waves
Thursday (2/20)
Chapter 5: Gravity Waves and Rossby Waves
**Homework #4 Due**
Tuesday (2/25)
Chapter 6: Quasi-geostrophic analysis
Assign Final Project
Thursday (2/27)
**Exam #2**
Tuesday (3/4)
Spring Break (No Class)
Thursday (3/6)
Spring Break (No Class)
Tuesday (3/11)
Chapter 6: Quasi-geostrophic analysis, Assign
Hwk. #5 (Quasi-Geostrophic)
Thursday (3/13)
Chapter 7: Baroclinic Instability, Baroclinic
Waves
Tuesday (3/18)
Chapter 7: Baroclinic Development
**Homework #5 Due**, Assign Hwk #6
(Baroclinic Features)
Thursday (3/20)
Chapter 8: Momentum in the Boundary Layer
Tuesday (4/1)
Chapter 9: Mesoscale Circulations,
**Homework #6 Due**, Assign Hwk. #7
(Boundary Layer, Mesoscale Systems)
Thursday (4/3)
Chapter 9: Convective Storms and Hurricanes
Tuesday (4/8)
**Exam #3**
Thursday (4/10)
Chapter 10: General Circulation
**Homework #7 Due**, Assign Hwk. #8
(General Circulation)
Week 14:
Week 15:
Week 16:
Tuesday (4/15)
Chapter 10: Climate Regimes and Feedbacks
**Homework #8 Due**
Thursday (4/17)
Chapter 11: Tropical Dynamics
**Final Paper Due**, Assign Hwk. #9 (Tropical
Dynamics)
Tuesday (4/22)
Chapter 12: Middle Atmosphere Dynamics
Thursday (4/24)
Chapter 13: Numerical Prediction and Analysis
Final Exam: Thursday 5/1, 10AM to 12PM
Please refer to http://www.utm.edu/departments/registrar/final.php for
information regarding the final exam scheduling.