METEO 431

Atmospheric Thermodynamics

METEO 431: Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Spring 2021

Instructor:
Dr. Kelly Lombardo
office: Zoom portal to my house
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: 814-865-3241 (though I won’t receive any calls you make since I’ll be home in my pajamas)

Lecture:
MWF, 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm; Zoom https://psu.zoom.us/j/99975511831 (Links to an external site.)

Office Hours:
Tuesday 4:45pm - 5:30 pm, I will not automatically sign on for this session unless someone expresses interest in attending, so please let me know in advance; Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00am - 10:00 am. All office hours will be through Zoom and can be accessed using the course Zoom link https://psu.zoom.us/j/99975511831 (Links to an external site.)

Teaching Assistants:
Daniel Wesloh: [email protected]
Sammi Staskiewicz: [email protected]

Helpful (but not required) Textbook: Atmospheric Thermodynamics by C.F. Bohren and B. A. Albrecht. Get it online here (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) or at the University Book Store.

Assistance with textbooks:

Penn State honors and values the socioeconomic diversity of our students. If you require assistance with the costs of textbooks for this course, contact the Office of Student Care and Advocacy (120 Boucke Building, 863-4926, http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare (Links to an external site.)). For additional need related to socioeconomic status please visit http://sites.psu.edu/projectcahir (Links to an external site.).

Course content and expectations:

It is expected that you have a good understanding of mathematics (calculus I and II) and physics (mechanics, electricity and magnetism). These are implied prerequisites for the course. Students with weak backgrounds in these fundamental disciplines are advised to either postpone enrollment in this course, or work to get up to speed as quickly as possible. Your ability to understand the material in this course depends critically on how well you learned your math and physics.

Thermodynamics is very general, and therefore, very abstract. The material will be challenging, but all of the mental work will be rewarded in an understanding of the underpinnings of how energy is transferred in the atmosphere. It is expected that each student keep up with the material on their own. This includes reviewing lecture notes, reading assigned material, and reading material from books in the library. It is never possible to fully understand the material in a course simply by attending lectures. It is best to think of a professor as a 'guide' through the most important material of a complex subject, but in-class meeting times alone are not enough to really learn the material. Ultimately, you must do the learning.

Specific course objectives include:

Students can demonstrate an ability to apply thermodynamic principles quantitatively to atmospheric problems.
Students can demonstrate the use of thermodynamics equations in determining the thermal structure of basic atmospheric phenomena.

Specific course outcomes are:

Students can demonstrate knowledge of how thermal energy and the first law of thermodynamics are applied to describe atmospheric thermal properties and structure.
Students can demonstrate knowledge of how entropy and the second law of thermodynamics are applied to basic thermal problems.
Students can demonstrate knowledge of the process of phase change in atmospheric phenomena.
Students can demonstrate an ability to analyze atmospheric soundings using a thermodynamics diagram.

Grading: Your final grade will be based on the following:

Two mid-term exams (25% each)
Final exam (25%)
Homework (25%)

Grading Scale: Letter grades are assigned based in the standard deviation in the final score distribution. Scores below a 50 automatically earn an F grade in the course.

Lateness: Homework will be assigned and submitted through Canvas. No late assignments will be accepted. Once the assignment is closed, it will not be reopened.

Exams: All exams will be delivered virtually.

Academic Integrity:

This course follows the http://www.ems.psu.edu/undergraduate/academic-advising/forms-and-procedures/academic-integrity (Links to an external site.). Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting other's work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other student's papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include course failure. To learn more, see Penn State's "Plagiarism Tutorial for Students (Links to an external site.)."

This includes but is not limited to copying, plagiarism, self- plagiarism, etc., all of which can result in a 0 on the assignment and/or an F or XF grade in the course.

Course Copyright:

All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws.

For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.

Attendance:

This course will be delivered through Zoom. Regular attendance is highly recommended for building on the skills and knowledge developed throughout the class. Students who participate will have a more complete understanding of the material presented and are more likely to succeed in the class. With that said, attendance will not be taken. You are responsible for your decisions, notes, readings, assignments, etc.

Change in Normal Campus Operations

In case of weather-related delays or other emergency campus disruptions or closures at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to these delays or closures. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.

Reporting Educational Equity Concerns

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (https://policy.psu.edu/policies/ad29 (Links to an external site.)) and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage (Links to an external site.).

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities:

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contact information for every Penn State campus: (http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/disability-coordinator (Links to an external site.)). For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website (http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources (Links to an external site.)).

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services (Links to an external site.). If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect:

Penn State is “committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others” as stated in Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming and inclusive environment and to interact with civility.

For additional information, see:

Counseling and Psychological Services:

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation. Services include the following:

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS) (Links to an external site.): 814-863-0395
Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses (Links to an external site.)
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741