Professor: Dr. Scott Isard
Office: Rm 205, Buckhout Lab
Office phone: 865-6290
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 3:30-5:00 p.m.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: Lutgens and E. J. Tarbuck. (2016). The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology (13th Edition): Prentice Hall.

COURSE OBJECTIVE By the end of the semester, students will be able to describe and discuss a) the effect of weather elements on plants and animals, b) how the major weather elements interact to govern storms, daily weather, and climate, and 3) how humans are changing our atmospheric environment. 

INTRODUCTION: Atmospheric Environment: Growing in the Wind is for students who are interested in learning about the dynamic effects of weather on plants and animals. It is about how processes at the ground surface and in the air govern weather conditions on Earth. Growing in the Wind focuses on five major weather elements: energy, temperature, moisture, pressure, and wind and how these factors govern ecosystems and habitation of our planet. Emphasis is also given to human impacts on weather and climate, and current environmental issues involving the atmosphere. The lectures are organized around the central theme that the unequal distribution of incoming solar energy (both spatially and temporally) produce temperature and pressure contrasts at the Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere that in turn cause storms and control the weather and climate.

No prerequisites beyond high school algebra are required. An interest in agriculture, the natural sciences and the environment in general will be helpful for this course.

"Whether the weather is cold, or whether the weather is not, we'll weather the weather, what ever the weather, whether we like it or not!"

LECTURES The lecture schedule for Growing in the Wind is provided below. The schedule may change slightly as the course progresses; however, if this happens you will be informed either in class or by email. Slides and lecture notes are available on the AGECO/METEO 122 ANGEL website as power point presentations. Quizzes will be given in lecture throughout the course of the semester. They will be administered with 5 minutes left in the lecture period and cover the material discussed in the preceding 45 minutes. Each quiz will be 5 questions in length and worth at total of 5 points.

READINGS The Chapters for the readings are listed next to the lecture topics below. A total of 10 points can be earned for reading each chapter by taking the associated Open Book Chapter Quiz that is available on the AGECO/METEO 122 ANGEL website. The quizzes consist of 10 questions and will last for 10 minutes. The quizzes can be taken a total of 3 times and only the highest grade will be recorded. Quizzes will be available to take before and until 11:50 p.m. on day that the readings are assigned and unavailable thereafter. The schedule for the last day when each Open Book Chapter Quiz is available is provided below.

EXAMS Exams will consist of short essay and multiple choice questions. They will cover lecture, reading, and project materials.

LABS There will be 3 Labs during the semester. Students will work in small groups on the assignments and make oral presentations of their results to the class.

GRADING There are 700 points that may be earned in Growing in the Wind. Grades are generally based on a straight scale ( 90+ % is an A, 80-90 % is a B, 70-79% is a C, 60 to 69% is a D, < 60% is a F).

• Exam I Multiple choice and short essay = 100 pts.
• Exam II Multiple choice and short essay = 100 pts.
• Exam III Multiple choice and short essay = 100 pts.
• Exam IV Multiple choice and short essay = 100 pts.
• Class Assignments 3 Labs projects: each worth 50 points = 150 pts.
• Book Chapter Quizzes 13 book chapter quizzes: each worth 10 points = 130 pts.
• Lecture Quizzes at least 4 lecture quizzes: each worth 5 points = 20 pts.
• Total Points = 700 pts.

"Some people are weatherwise, but most are otherwise."  

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance: You are responsible both for all the material covered in class discussions as well as for the readings. Frequent absences will negatively impact your performance. Assignments: All assignments are due on the dates specified on the syllabus. The University has careful policies about your rights and responsibilities in the case of emergency and illness. Please, be familiar with them and do not try to abuse them.

Academic Integrity: Penn State defines academic integrity as the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. All students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20). Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students who are found to be dishonest will receive academic sanctions and will be reported to the University’s Judicial Affairs office for possible further disciplinary sanction. Disability: The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities and is committed to the policy that all people shall have equal access to programs, facilities, and admissions without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have questions about physical access, please tell the me as soon as possible. 

Date Details

• Mon Aug 22, 2016 Lecture: Orientation 1:25pm to 2:15pm
• Wed Aug 24, 2016 Read Chapter 1 12am
  Lecture: Physical Characteristics of Earth and Atmosphere 1:25pm to 2:15pm
• Fri Aug 26, 2016 Lecture: Introduction to the Atmosphere I: Compostion and Layers of the Atmosphere 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Aug 29, 2016 Lecture: Introduction to the Atmosphere II: Ozone Depletion 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Aug 30, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 1 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Aug 31, 2016 Read Chapter 2 12am Lecture: Heating Earth's Surface and Atmosphere I: Earth-Sun Geometry & Energy, Heat and Temperature 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Sep 2, 2016 Lecture: Heating Earth's Surface and Atmosphere II: Solar and Terrestrial Radiation: 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Sep 5, 2016 Labor Day 12am 
• Tue Sep 6, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 2 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Sep 7, 2016 Read Chapter 3 12am Lecture: Temperature I: Controls and Distribution 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Sep 9, 2016 Lecture: Temperature II: Human Impact on the Environment: Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Sep 12, 2016 Lab I: Weather Resources on the Internet: Introduction 1:25pm to 2:15pm AG/MET Lab I Part B Step 1: Weather Resources on the Internet due by 11:59pm 
• Tue Sep 13, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 3 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Sep 14, 2016 Lab I: Weather Resources on the Internet: Work session 1:25pm to 2:15pm AG/MET Lab I Part B Step 2: Weather Resources on the Internet due by 11:59pm 
• Fri Sep 16, 2016 Lecture: Biometeorology of Plants, Animals and Humans 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Sat Sep 17, 2016 AG/MET Lab I Part B Step 3 & 4: Weather Resources on the Internet due by 11:59pm 
• Mon Sep 19, 2016 Lab I: Weather Resources on the Internet: Class Presentations 1:25pm to 2:15pm AG/MET
  Lab I Part A: Weather Resources on the Internet due by 11:59pm AG/MET
  Lab I Part B Step 5: Weather Resources on the Internet due by 11:59pm AG/MET
  Lab I Part C: Weather Resources on the Internet due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Sep 21, 2016 Lecture: Spillover and Exam I Review 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Sep 23, 2016 Exam I 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Sep 26, 2016 Read Chapter 4 12am Phase Changes of Water and Exam I Return 1:25pm to 2:15pm
• Wed Sep 28, 2016 Lecture: Moisture and Atmospheric Stability I: Moisture in the Atmosphere 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Sep 30, 2016 Lecture: Moisture and Atmospheric Stability II: Lifting and Stability 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Sun Oct 2, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 4 due by 11:59pm 
• Mon Oct 3, 2016 Lecture: Stability Review and Forms of Condensation and Precipitation 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Wed Oct 5, 2016 To be determined 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Oct 7, 2016 Read Chapter 5 12am Lecture: Forms of Condensation and Precipitation continued 1:25pm to 2:15pm
• Sun Oct 9, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 5 due by 11:59pm 
• Mon Oct 10, 2016 Read Chapter 6 12am Lecture: Air Pressure and Winds 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Oct 11, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 6 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Oct 12, 2016 Read Chapter 7 12am Lecture: Circulation in the Atmosphere I: Scales of Motion, Global Circulation Models and Hadley Cells 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Oct 14, 2016 Lecture: Circulation in the Atmosphere II: Westerlies 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Oct 17, 2016 Lecture: El Nino 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Oct 18, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 7 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Oct 19, 2016 Lecture: Spillover and Exam II Review 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Oct 21, 2016 Exam II 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Oct 24, 2016 Read Chapter 8 12am Lecture: Air Masses and Exam II Return 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Oct 25, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 8 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Oct 26, 2016 Read Chapter 9 12am Lecture: Midlatitude Cylones I 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Oct 28, 2016 Lecture: Midlatitude Cyclones II 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Oct 31, 2016 Lab II: Application of Temperature and Moisture Data: Introduction 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Nov 1, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 9 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Nov 2, 2016 Lab II: Application of Temperature and Moisture Data: Work Session 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Nov 4, 2016 Read Chapter 10 12am Lecture: Thunderstorms 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Nov 7, 2016 Lecture: Tornadoes 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Nov 8, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 10 due by 11:59pm 
  Read Chapter II 12am
  Lab II: Due 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
  Lecture: Hurricanes 1:25pm to 2:15pm
• Wed Nov 9, 2016 
  EXTRA CREDIT
  Lab II Part B3 Applications of Temperature and Moisture Data due by 11:59pm 
  Lab II Part A: Applications of Temperature and Moisture Data due by 11:59pm 
  Lab II Part B1: Applications of Temperature and Moisture Data due by 11:59pm 
  Lab II Part B2 Applications of Temperature and Moisture Data due by 11:59pm 
  Lab II Part B4 Applications of Temperature and Moisture Data due by 11:59pm 
• Fri Nov 11, 2016 Lecture: Spillover and Exam III Review 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Sun Nov 13, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 11 due by 11:59pm 
• Mon Nov 14, 2016 Exam III 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Wed Nov 16, 2016 Read Chapter 15 12am Lecture: Climate Classification and World Precipitation Patterns & Exam III Return 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Nov 18, 2016 Lecture: World Climates I 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Nov 21, 2016 Thanksgiving 12am 
• Wed Nov 23, 2016 Thanksgiving 12am 
• Fri Nov 25, 2016 Thanksgiving 12am 
• Mon Nov 28, 2016 Lecture: World Climates II 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Nov 29, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 15 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Nov 30, 2016 Lab III: Severe Weather Event: Introduction 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Fri Dec 2, 2016 Read Chapter 14 12am Lecture: Changing Climate 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Mon Dec 5, 2016 Video: To What Degree 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
• Tue Dec 6, 2016 AG/MET Book Quiz Chapter 14 due by 11:59pm 
• Wed Dec 7, 2016
  Lab III: Class Presentations 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
  Lab III Part A Severe Weather Broadcast due by 11:59pm 
  Lab III Part B Severe Weather Broadcast due by 11:59pm 
  Lab III Part C Severe Weather Broadcast due by 11:59pm 
• Fri Dec 9, 2016 Lab III: Class Presentations and Exam IV Review 1:25pm to 2:15pm 
  Exam 1 
  Exam II 
  Exam III 
  Exam IV 
  In-Class Quiz 1 
  In-Class Quiz 2
  In-Class Quiz 3
  In-Class Quiz 4
  Lab III Part B Presentation