Atmospheric Sciences 201
Introduction to Atmospheric Science
Prof. Craig Epifanio
Office: 1017A O&M
Office hours: M 3-4, T 10-11
Email: [email protected]
Class Resources:
Textbook: Extreme Weather and Climate, by Ahrens and Samson
PDF notes: http://atmo.tamu.edu/epifanio/ATMO201
What will I learn?
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Composition, energy inputs and structure of the atmosphere
What will I learn?
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Forces, the laws of motion, and atmospheric circulations
What will I learn?
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Cyclones, fronts, weather
and storm systems
What will I learn?
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Humidity, stability and cloud formation
What will I learn?
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Hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes (Oh my!)
What will I learn?
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Planetary circulations and climate dynamics
What will I learn?
....and so much more!
By the end of the course you should have a
deeper appreciation and understanding of
weather and climate phenomena, and be able to
apply this understanding to your everyday
experience.
Course Prerequisites: None....basic high-school math and science
Grading Policies
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Grades are based on two in-semester exams, two quizzes,
a final exam, and a group podcast
In-semester exams: 2 x 22 pts each --- 44 pts
Quizzes: 2 x 10 pts each --- 20 pts
Final exam: 22 pts
Group podcast: 14 pts
Total: 100 pts
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Final grades will follow the standard grading scale
A: 90 or above; B: 80--90; C: 70--80; D: 60--70; F: 59 or below
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Grade cutoffs may be adjusted downward slightly to
achieve a fairer grading distribution
Exam Details
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Exams will be based on the assigned readings, as well as material
presented in class. It is your responsibility to attend class and to
obtain class notes when you must be absent.
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Exam Rule 1:
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Exam Rule 2: You will be allowed one half-page of hand-
Calculators, cell phones, iPods and other
unauthorized devices must be kept enclosed in backpacks or
pockets at all times during exams, except to quiet a ringing
device. Violation of this policy may result in zero points for the
offending student (at my discretion).
written notes (one-side only) for each exam (but not quizzes). If
you find concepts in the class difficult, use your note page!
Exam Dates (possibly subject to change)
In-class: 2/25 and 4/8
Final: see syllabus (or registrar)
Quizzes: 2/11 and 3/25
ATMO 201: The Podcast
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Students will be assigned a group project in which they are
asked to produce a short (2-3 minute) audio podcast on a
topic related to the course material
The groups will consist of three students:
One audio engineer / producer
● Two researchers / script writers / presenters
●
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The final product will be evaluated by both the instructor
and the class as a whole, based on a rubric including
The podcast content (i.e, was it informative?)
● The organization and presentation
● The audio production values
●
Attendance Policy
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Attendance is expected but is not monitored
Students are responsible for knowing all assignments
and exam dates as if they attended lecture
Missed exams and quizzes due to excused absences can
be made up. Exams and quizzes missed due to unexcused
absences may receive zero points.
Exams and quizzes will be based on both lectures and
the readings. Material from class is fair game regardless
of whether it is covered by the book.
Tentative Schedule (Subject to Change)
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Topics
Introduction; weather impacts
Pressure, temperature, density
Humidity; energy and heat
Radiation and the greenhouse effect
Heat transfer; the seasons
Daily temperatures; cloud basics
Pressure charts; pressure forces
The Coriolis force; geostrophic balance
Jet streams and circulation cells
Fronts and cyclones
The Norwegian cyclone model
Fog and cloud types; stability
Thunderstorms
Supercells and tornadoes; hurricanes
Climate
Chapters
1
1
1, 3, 2
2
2, 3
3
7
7
8
9
10
4, 5
5, 11
12, 13
15
Reading assignments, updated schedules and additional
materials will be posted
to the class website
Quiz 1
Exam 1
Quiz 2
Exam 2
Academic Integrity
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An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do."
Violations of the Aggie Honor Code degrade your education and
devalue the Texas A&M degree, both for present and future
graduates. In keeping with University Regulations, all violations
will be reported to the Aggie Honor System Office. A first offense
will not be treated as grounds for leniency. Please inform yourself
about the Aggie Honor Code at http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu.
Copyright Policy: All materials used in this class are copyrighted.
These materials include, but are not limited to, syllabi, lectures,
notes, exams, review sheets and additional assigments. Because
these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy
or distribute them unless permission is expressly granted.
My Likes
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Prof. Epifanio's Facebook Page
Atmospheric Dynamics: The study of the basic physical
processes behind atmospheric motions and circulation
systems
Particular Interests:
- Topographic phenomena: mountain waves and wakes
- Thermal flows: sea breezes and mountain-valley flows
- Mathematical and computer methods for analysis and
prediction
- Other stuff
For the record, I'm not actually
on Facebook. But I have my
own website. Does that count?
My Pictures, Page 1
Mountain waves over the
Grand Tetons
Turbulent structures in
a computer model of
flow past a ridge
My Pictures, Page 2
A modeled wake structure in a
flow past a simplified hill
Observed mountain wake
downstream of Hawaii
My Pictures, Page 3
Observed
rainfall
High-resolution
model
Modeled rainfall over the Amazon Basin, as compared
to satellite observations
My Pictures, Page 4
Old method
New method
Computer model predictions for flow past a mountain,
using two different numerical treatments at the boundary
But enough about me.....