MET 1010: Introduction to Weather Instructor: Konstantin Matchev Time: MWF 9:35-10:25 am Location: NPB 1001 Office hours: M 10:30-11:00 am Please, pick up a copy of the syllabus.

The Rules of the Game Time and Location Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:35 am-10:25 am NPB 1001 Office Hours: Mondays at 10:30 am in my office (NPB 2055). e-mail: matchev@phys.ufl.edu tel. : 392-5709 Required Materials The main textbook -"Meteorology Today" by C. Donald Ahrens, 9th edition. The bookstore has the accompanying workbook and study guide but it is not required. We will NOT be using the Student Response System for in-class evaluation (aka clickers). MET 1010 web page http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~matchev/MET1010 Please check for updates regularly.

Exams Exams Three midterm exams (33 multiple choice questions, 3 points each). Final exam (33 multiple choice questions, 3 points each). Examples of old exams from previous years are posted on the web-page. May also check out Gainesville Sun’s “Weather Trivia”. The dates of the exams are announced: Midterm 1: October 1, Wednesday (in class, 9:35 am) Midterm 2: October 29, Wednesday (in class, 9:35 am) Midterm 3: December 3, Wednesday (in class, 9:35 am) Final exam: December 18, Thursday, 10:00 am You will be allowed one drop, so there will be no makeup exams given under any conditions. If two midterm exams are missed you will be expected to withdraw from the course. Register for the course on WebCT! Grades will be posted there. Assignments There will be no assignments, homework, or extra credits. Your grade will be based entirely on your performance on the exams.

Grading Scale Grade percent score points total The grades are NOT curved. The final counts twice. The lowest score is dropped. Anyone who scores 80 points or higher on each of the three midterm exams will be given an A and will not be required to take the final exam. See syllabus for details. Grade percent score points total A 80% and above 317 - 396 B+ 73% and above 290 - 316 B 65% and above 258 - 289 C+ 57% and above 226 - 257 C 46% and above 183 - 225 D+ 41% and above 163 - 182 D 36% and above 143 - 162 E under 36% 142 or less

Grading Example Midterm 1 45 99 Midterm 2 75 99 Midterm 3 60 99 Actual Max. Midterm 1 45 99 Midterm 2 75 99 Midterm 3 60 99 Final exam 81x2 99 Total 75+60+81+81=297 out of 396 Percent score 75% Final Grade B+

Grading Example Midterm 1 81 99 Midterm 2 75 99 Midterm 3 60 99 Actual Max. Midterm 1 81 99 Midterm 2 75 99 Midterm 3 60 99 Final exam 45x1 99 Total 81+75+60+45=261 out of 396 Percent score 65.9% Final Grade B

Grading Example Midterm 1 81 99 Midterm 2 81 99 Midterm 3 84 99 Actual Max. Midterm 1 81 99 Midterm 2 81 99 Midterm 3 84 99 Final exam 0x1 99 Total 246 out of 396 Percent score NA Final Grade A Typically those are about 15-20% of the students

Grading Example Midterm 1 90 99 Midterm 2 78 99 Midterm 3 93 99 Actual Max. Midterm 1 90 99 Midterm 2 78 99 Midterm 3 93 99 Midterm average: 88%, but must take final Final exam 57x1 99 Total 318 out of 396 Percent score 80.3% Final Grade A

Old editions of the textbook 8th edition Includes internet access to MeteorologyNow “Light,Color and Atmosheric Optics” is Chapter 19 “Climate Change” is Chapter 16 Includes pictures of hurricane Katrina Includes removable cloud chart 7th edition “Light,Color and Atmosheric Optics” is Chapter 4 “Climate Change” is Chapter 19

What did the students think of the then new 8th edition and MeteorologyNow? Multiple choice question with five possible answers: I used an old edition of the textbook and was happy with it. F06: 14 (20%) S07: 15 (21%) F07: 17 (16%) S08: 20 (19%) I used an old edition but in hindsight I wish I had purchased the new edition. F06: 2 (3%) S07: 2 (3%) F07: 5 (4.5%) S08: 3 (3%) I used the new edition of the textbook but I never used the MeteorologyNow web-based learning companion, either because the book didn’t come with it or because I didn’t feel any need for it. F06: 40 (57%) S07: 44 (63%) F07: 72 (66.5%) S08: 75 (71%) I had the new edition of the textbook and I also tried the MeteorologyNow web-based learning companion that came with it. I did NOT find the latter particularly useful. F06: 8 (11.5%) S07: 6 (8.5%) F07: 6 (5.5%) S08: 1 (1%) I had the new edition of the textbook and I also tried the MeteorologyNow web-based learning companion which I found very useful in preparing for the tests. F06: 6 (8.5%) S07: 3 (4.5%) F07: 8 (7.5%) S08: 6 (6%)

What did the students think of the Workbook and Study Guide? Multiple choice question with five possible answers: I did not purchase the workbook/study guide F07: 33 students (38.5%) S08: 36 (38%) I bought the workbook/study guide but rarely used it F07: 19 students (22.5%) S08: 21 (22%) I often used the workbook/study guide but did not find it particularly useful. F07: 2 students (2.5%) S08: 7 (8%) I often used the workbook/study guide and found it quite useful. F07: 19 students (22.5%) S08: 15 (16%) Workbook? What workbook? F07: 12 students (14%) S08: 15 (16%)

Course web page http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~matchev/MET1010 Home Syllabus Class notes Exams Related links UF weather station (on the roof of the Physics Department) Weather channel Intellicast.com National Weather Service USA Today Weather Channel4 News Hurricane Coverage Learning Support Services