Fall 2019 - GEOG 214 D100
Weather and Climate (3)
Class Number: 4272
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 6, 2019
Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Wolf Read
wread@sfu.ca
Office: RCB 6145
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Prerequisites:
GEOG 111.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An examination of the basic principles and processes governing the Earth's weather and climate. Topics include: radiation, greenhouse effect, clouds, precipitation, atmospheric circulation, mid-latitude cyclones, tropical storms, climate change. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
“Weather and Climate” is an overview of the fundamental principles and processes governing meteorological and climatological phenomena on the Earth. This may include brief forays into other worldly atmospheres (e.g. Mars) as sharp contrasts can be informative. Initial focus will be on meteorological principles, starting with key concepts that are useful to understanding the narratives that, for example, describe the formation of precipitation, the evolution of frontal systems and, moving up spatial scales, the mechanisms behind global weather patterns. Storms will receive special attention given their potential to impact human lives. Given our location, focus will sometimes be on British Columbia and the northeast Pacific Ocean. Discussion also includes climate, including the general circulation, seasons, ocean-atmosphere interactions and global warming. Station models, isoplething and weather maps will also be part of the narrative. Labs provide opportunity to use weather instruments to take data for further analysis. Topics will include:
| · Atmospheric composition and structure | · Radiation and energy |
| · Daily and seasonal temperature variation | · Atmospheric humidity, clouds and precipitation |
| · Winds at different spatial scales | · Air masses, fronts and extratropical (midlatitude) cyclones |
| · Thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes | · Extreme weather events |
| · Global warming | · Global climates |
| · Climate variability |
Organization: One 2-hour lecture and one 2-hour lab each week. There will be no lab during the first week of the course.
This course may NOT be applied towards a certificate in liberal arts.
Grading
- Laboratory assignments 5%
- Weather journal 10%
- Lab practical exam 1 10%
- Lab practical exam 2 15%
- Midterm exam 20%
- Final exam 25%
- Quizzes (including iClicker) 10%
- Participation (iClicker) 5%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Lecture will make use of iClickers—they are required for every class meeting. Personal iClickers can be bought at the SFU bookstore.
REQUIRED READING:
(required): Ahrens, C. D, Jackson, P. L. and C. E. J. Jackson, 2016: Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment, 2nd Canadian Edition. Nelson Education, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 598 pages.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS