GGR203 Introduction to Climatology

Instructor Information

Instructor: Jerry Y. Jien

Email:

Office: SS5061

Office Hours: Wednesday 12 – 2 pm in SS5061 or by appointment

I will answer emails related to course matters within 48 hours (excluding weekends), with “GGR203” provided in the subject. Be sure to read over the course syllabus and Blackboard Announcement to see if your questions or concerns have been addressed.

Teaching Assistants:

Xiaojun Su (Assignment)

Rong Wang (Quizzes + Blackboard Participation)

Course Description:

Introduction to the large scale processes responsible for determining global and regional climate and atmospheric circulation patterns, as well as the small scale processes responsible for determining the microclimates of specific environments

Recommended Prep: SPH3U (Grade 11 Math)

Office Hours and Math Aid:

The Department of Geography and Planning is committed to provide course support for all of its undergraduate students to sharpen their math skills. Students who require math-related assistance in dealing with topics and questions covered in tutorials and lectures are recommended to seek out the assistance of the course TAs during office hours. They will be happy to provide help with basic 11th grade math that you may feel needs some reminders about. Don’t be shy to ask!

Textbook:

Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment, 2nd Canadian Edition

*You are welcome to use 1st Canadian Edition of Meteorology Today. Should you choose to purchase the 1st version, be mindful that the content and page numbers may have been shifted.

I have set aside a copy of the textbook to be borrowed at Gerstein Library for short-term loans.

Course Meeting Information:

Lectures:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-4 pm, SS2105

Lecture Schedule:

Date / Topic / Readings
May 10 (Lecture 1) / Introduction + Radiation I / Chapter 1, 2
May 12 (Lecture 2) / Radiation II and III / Chapters 2, 5
May 17 (Lecture 3) / Vertical Structure/Stability / Chapters 4, 5, 6
May 19 (Lecture 4) / Atmospheric Dynamics / Chapters 8, 9
May 24 (Lecture 5) / Global Circulation + Air Mass Classification / Chapter 10, 11
May 26 (Lecture 6) / Meteorological Variables and Wind Measuring Tools / Chapter 7, 9
May 31 / Midterm Exam
(Lectures 1 to 5; Quizzes 1 to 3)
June 2 (Lecture 7) / Mid-latitude Cyclones / Chapter 12
June 7 (Lecture 8) / Tropical Climatology (Hurricanes) / Chapter 14
June 9 (Lecture 9) / Storms (Thunderstorms & Tornadoes) / Chapter 13
June 14 (Lecture 10) / Climate Change / Chapter 17, Lecture Notes
June 16 (Lecture 11) / Climate of the Arctic / Review; Hurricane Assignment due beginning of class (Hard copy only) / Lecture Notes

Notable Dates:

June 6, Drop Date

June 17, Deadline to complete Blackboard Participation

June 20-24, Final Exam Period (exact date to be determined)

Tutorials

During tutorials, all quizzes and an assignment will be administered by your TA. See below for the Tutorial Schedule on the dates for quizzes and submission of the Hurricane assignment.

Quizzes

You will complete all quizzes, at the beginning of your tutorial. Students are expected to remain in the tutorial after each quiz unless there are no new materials introduced.

Assignment

An assignment on the topic of hurricane will be formally introduced and discussed in the tutorial.

Tutorials:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-5 pm, SS2105

Tutorial Schedule:

Date / Purpose
May 10
May 12 / Tutorial 1: review of Radiation I
May 17 / Tutorial 2: (Quiz 1 on Radiation I + Review of Radiation II)
May 19 / Tutorial 3: Hurricane Assignment
May 24 / Tutorial 4: (Quiz 2 on Radiation II + Review of Stability)
May 26 / Tutorial 5: (Quiz 3 on Stability)
May 31 / Midterm Test
(Lectures 1 to 5; Quizzes 1 to 3)
June 2 / Tutorial 6: (Review of Dynamics)
June 7 / Tutorial 7: (Quiz 4 on Dynamics)
June 9 / Tutorial 8: Weather Maps and Pressure Reduction to Sea Level
June 14 / Tutorial 9: (Quiz 5 on Pressure Reduction to Sea Level)
June 16 / Tutorial 10: Review

Evaluation:

Quizzes (5): 20%

Assignment: 10%

Midterm Exam: 25%

Final Exam (cumulative): 40%

Blackboard Participation: 5%

Term-Work Re-evaluation Request

Any regrading of quizzes, assignment or the midterm test must be brought to my attention within two weeks of the item’s return in the class.

Course communication

All lecture notes and tutorial materials will be made available on Blackboard (http://portal.utoronto.ca) prior to the beginning of the class. Class announcements as well as the contact information for your teaching assistants and myself regarding our office hours and emails will also be posted.

Blackboard Participation opportunities will be regularly made available under ‘Discussion Board’ of ‘Course Tools’. Reply to all Discussion Board forums by June 17.

Absence:

Medical documentation is required if you miss the quiz or the midterm test. If you legitimately miss any of the quizzes or the midterm test, you must contact me within a week to schedule writing of makeup quiz or test.

The assignment on Tracking Your Hurricane is due at the beginning of your lecture on June 16. Extensions on assignments will be granted sparingly in the case of illness or other non-medical emergencies. If you do become ill (or otherwise incapacitated) you must provide me with appropriate documentation. For a missed quiz or term test, contact me as soon as possible – and no later than one-week after the original test date. For medical exemptions, use the official U of T form (available online here http://www.illnessverification.utoronto.ca/). Please consult your college registrar if you are having difficulties during the term that prevent you from completing your course work. For non-medical emergencies, they may be able to provide a letter documenting your situation. Be aware that submitting a note which has been altered or obtained under false pretences is considered a very serious academic offence by the University. Failure to do so will result in a 10% deduction of the assignment per day (including weekends).

Students who missed the final exam must petition to the Faculty through the College’s Registrar Office for an opportunity to write a deferred final exam.

Academic Integrity:

Be wary of the fine line between working together or paraphrasing and plagiarizing. Plagiarism is defined as using the work from someone else without documenting its source. Plagiarism is considered as an academic offence at the University of Toronto. Consult with the Writing Centre at http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize on avoiding plagiarism.

During quizzes and exams, no electronic devices other than non-programmable calculators are allowed.

For information on the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters, please visit http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/osai/The-rules/code/the-code-of-behaviour-on-academic-matters

Other Academic Resources

Accessibility Services

All course instructors within the University of Toronto strive to create a learning environment that is inclusive to all students. Individuals who require accommodation due to disabilities are recommended to register with Accessibility Services (http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/as).

University of Toronto Libraries

A copy of the course textbook will be circulated as a short-term loan with at Gerstein. For more information on borrowing printed materials, research articles and past exams from the U of T libraries, please visit https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca.