COURSE INFORMATION
Course: GGR 461, Fundamentals of Weather and Climate, 4 Credit Hours
Logistics: WebCT Course (webct.nau.edu)
Instructor: Dr. Samantha T. Arundel; Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation
Contact: sam.arundel@nau.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays 10-2 or email me to schedule an appointment
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION This is an introductory course designed to explore the earth’s atmospheric environment. You will gain a deeper understanding of the various atmospheric phenomena that you may already have observed. The student will also become aware of important social and economic aspects of weather and climate. The course will present the development of meteorology as a science, along with various tools and concepts that help us define and describe various weather and climatic phenomena. Subjects covered in class will be stressed on tests, while the text will serve as reinforcement. It is strongly recommended that you attend all lectures. Knowledge of basic high school physics and algebra is assumed for the course. Please ask me for help if you are having any trouble.

COURSE OBJECTIVES At the end of the course, you should be able to:
· Explain why the planet Earth is unique in our solar system.
· Interpret weather maps appearing on television, or in the newspaper, locating broad-based air pressure, wind, cloud -and temperature patterns.
· Correctly use and explain selected fundamental terminology employed by meteorologists (e.g., dew point, barometric pressure, cyclones, etc.)
· Distinguish the characteristic sizes of various atmospheric systems.
· Explain, in general terms, the reasons for atmospheric motions.
· Appreciate the problems facing the atmospheric scientist.
· Identify some of the fundamental conceptual models developed by meteorologists to explain atmospheric processes.
· Make simple, short-term weather forecasts based upon observation of the sequence of winds, clouds and changes in air temperature and pressure.

TEXT AND MATERIALS The required text is: “Understanding Weather and Climate” by E. Aguado and J. E. Burt, Prentice Hall, Third Edition. Purchase at the NAU bookstore, local bookstore, or online (e.g. Amazon, Ebay, etc.).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Read assignments from text.
Complete CDROM Activities
Answer Chapter Review Questions
Solve Quantitative Exercises (Laboratory)
Answer Concept Review Questions
Take Chapter Tests
Complete Final Exam

GRADING
Grades will be assigned as 90 - 100 % = A, 80 - 89% = B, 70 - 79% = C, 60 - 69% = D, below 60 = F.