ATM 240 - Winter Quarter 2005
Instructor: R. Grotjahn
phone: (530) 752-2246
email: grotjahn-at-ucdavis.edu
Class meetings: 11:00 am - 12:50 (pm) M,W in Room 124
Hoagland
Office hours: TBA in Rm 231 Hoagland, drop in or make an appointment
(informal)
However, I am NOT available:
COURSE GOALS: To develop a broad understanding of the large scale properties of the Earth's atmosphere. A comprehensive presentation of atmospheric observations is made. This is followed by some simple theories to explain various observed features.
COURSE FORMAT: The text for the course is Global Atmospheric Circulations, Observations and Theories, by R. Grotjahn. The book was derived directly from lectures given in this course, so it does not make sense to repeat in class exactly what is already written in the book. Students should read the assigned material before coming to the class meeting (except for the first meeting). Errata sheets can be accessed from the course webpage for the general circulation book.
The lecture will consist of a brief summary of the previous lecture period. Then a question/answer period for the day's reading. This will help guide the discussion to follow. The remainder of the class period will be devoted mainly to lecturing on the most important points in the reading due for that meeting. Each lecture will be organized around a study list of concepts. To add some variety, we may solicit student comments on some items in the study list. A list of subjects and reading from the text is attached.
In a departure from prior years, the lectures may "toggle" between chapter sections showing observations and sections showing theories to show more strongly how these simple theories can explain various observed properties.
GRADING: Grading will be based upon the exams and the homework. Approximately one homework assignment per week will be handed out. A midterm and a final exam are anticipated. Grading is based upon homework (50%), midterm (25%) and final (25%).
Homework is due at the time indicated (by default at the start of
class on the date due). There is a 50% penalty for
each weekday that an assignment is turned in late. The purpose of the
penalty is to encourage turn in when due so that I may discuss the
solutions expeditiously.
Note: due to the reduced number of M & W days in W05, we shall not have a midterm. The grading weights therefore need adjustment, to be decided.