ATTENDANCE:
Your success in this course depends on your class and lab attendance.
"Be aware of the fact that attendance will be taken and this
information will be used in the computation of your final class grade.
Excessive absences will work against you, while perfect
attendance can help you to the next highest letter grade in borderline
situations at the end of the semester."
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Required Textbook. Meteorology Today: An
Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment (with InfoTrac and Blue
Skies CD-ROM) Reference Books: J.E. Oliver and J.J. Hidore, 2002. Climatology, An Atmospheric Science, Second Edition, Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-092205-6 L.R. Kump, J.F. Kasting, R.G. Crane, 2004. The Earth System, Second Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-142059-3 F.T. Mackenzie, 2003. Our Changing Planet, An Introduction to Earth System Science and Global Environmental Change, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-065172-9
Other Readings: G. W. Bomar, 1983. Texas Weather. Univ of Texas Press, QC984.T4B67 1983 (GEOL). ISBN 0-292-78052-4 J. Norwine, J.R. Giardino, G.R. North, J.B. Valdes (Eds.), 1995. The Changing Climate of Texas: Predictability and Impactions for the Future. Texas A&M Univ., QC 984 T4 N6 1995 (GEOL). ISBN 0-9645710-0-5.
Other assigned reading (if any) will be announced in class. |
Lecture notes: Notes for upcoming lectures will be posted on the course web site the day before the next class. Print these out and bring them to class as an aid to your note taking.
The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, or 471-4641, or open the web site http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/ssd/.
1) Final Grades: Your final letter grade will be based on your total score from exams and labs. Grades are assigned using a standard curve that reflects the accomplishment of the class as a whole. The curve mean represents a 'C'. However, if the mean score of each test is close to 75, the percentage-letter grade relationship will be: >90 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, and < 60 Ouch. Your attendance and extra credits will affect your final grades.
2) Exam (80%): four midterms and one final exam will be given. All four midterm exams and the final exam must be taken. Your best three midterm scores plus the final exam score will be counted as 80% of your final grade - i.e., you may drop you one lowest midterm score. The Exam Schedule is on the web. Exams are given only once. There are NO make-up exams and NO specially scheduled exams. Exceptions may be made for handicapped students, but they must request any special arrangements early in the semester. All exams are cumulative in their coverage. They will cover material from lectures and reading assignments. You will be asked questions about general concepts as well as specific points of information.
3) Lab Assignments (20%): Lab assignments must be turned in on time. Lab assignments turned in late will receive no credit. Your cumulative score from lab assignments will be counted as 20% of your final grade.
4) Statue of Limitations: If you wish to appeal a grade received on an exam, or lab, your appeal must be made within 7 days from the time it is handed back. No appeals will be considered after that deadline.
5) Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Work submitted for a grade under your name must be exclusively your own. Evidence of dishonesty on even one exam, or assignment will result in an 'F' for the course and a report to the Dean of Students; if you were failing the course anyway, a recommendation of disciplinary probation will also be forwarded to the Dean of Students.