GEOG 343: Climatology Meeting time: MWF 10:00-10:50 AM Classroom: Butte Hall 503 (501) OG 343: Climatology Meeting time: MWF 10:00-10:50 AM Classroom: Butte Hall 503 (501) Instructor: Nori Sato e-mail: nsato2@csuchico.edu Office: Butte Hall 535 Phone: 898-6219 Office Hours: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM (MTWR); 2:00-3:00 PM (T); or by appointment Required text: Bonan, G. B. (2008), Ecological Climatology: Concepts and Applications, 2nd ed., 550 pp., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. (ISBN: 9780521693196) Course description: Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOS 120 or equivalent. To provide an introduction to climatology and to the application of fundamental skills (mathematical and interpretive) in environmental science. To develop skills and knowledge in applying climatology in different subject matters, both theoretical and practical. To develop skills used to understand weather events embedded in certain climate regions, evaluate climate and climatic change, and to assess the impact of human activities on the earth-atmosphere system and ecosystems. Laboratory (Butte 501): We often use the computer lab (Butte 501) throughout the semester. Please inform the lab manager (Cathie Benjamin; Butte Hall 502; 898-4755) of any technical problems with the lab. This is the lab manager’s expertise and responsibility. I will, however, ensure that technical issues that impact students’ coursework in the lab are resolved as quickly as possible. Required material: We will also use Microsoft Word and Excel, both of which are installed on the computers in the classroom, Butte Hall 501. You should find them in other computer labs elsewhere on campus. It is a good idea to get comfortable with those software packages, especially Excel, as this course will intensively use them. Attendance: Regular attendance is highly recommended, although I may not take any regular attendance (beyond the census period at the beginning of the semester). Consistent nonattendance during the first four weeks of class will result in the student being withdrawn by the instructor. The responsibility of formally withdrawing from the class after the first four weeks is the student’s. Chronic non-attendance after the first four weeks may cause a reduction in the letter grade that was earned or a grade of “F” to be awarded. I will usually make announcements at the beginning of the class period and will not repeat those announcements. Also, any explanations for exercises/assignments will only be given during the class period when they are handed out. It is your responsibility to ask your classmates regarding what you may have missed if and when you were not able to attend a class. When you are sick, PLEASE e-mail me or leave me a voice-mail message before the class begins. My contact information is listed elsewhere in this syllabus. Exercises: Materials covered in lectures will be supplemented with exercises. The class exercises emphasize techniques of observation, measurement and data interpretation that are fundamental to physical geography. They are intended to complement and supplement lectures on specific topics. In some cases, we will start working on the exercises in class (and you will complete them at home). I will leave a large envelope in front of the classroom on the due date of any exercise. As soon as the lecture starts, I will close it and any late submission from that point on will have 10% deducted per day. No exercises will be accepted after graded exercises have been returned. Make sure that you have your exercise with you when you come to class; I will not accept any exercise that you don’t have in class on the due date (because you have it in another folder, notebook, etc. that you don’t have at the moment). Each exercise should be written and completed concisely and neatly. Any calculations should be clearly indicated. The considerable points will be given for the correct method (i.e., not for the final numerical answer alone). All questions should be attempted. You are not discouraged from working in a group; it is rather encouraged. Some exercises may be based on working in a small group; however, your write-up must be in your own words. It is your responsibility to give your exercises to your instructor in the correct method specified. Make-up exercises will only be given in the case of a verifiable excuse. That is, you will need to let me know in advance if you are not able to come to class due to illness. Exams: Materials covered in the lectures, readings assignments, and other resources that may include on-line resources (such as various websites), videos and exercises will be tested on exams. The lectures will be related to, but not directly from the reading assignments. The exercises and exams, therefore, will require you to synthesize lecture and reading materials. Questions may consist of multiple-choice, problems, short-answer, paragraph, and/or essay questions. A make-up exam will ONLY be given in the event of illness and other extraneous events that keep you from attending the exam. Proper documentation will be required. In that case, it is YOUR responsibility to let me know BEFORE the exam that you will be unable to attend. Quizzes: There may be unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. Quiz questions may include topics discussed in lectures and/or reading assignments. So, come to class and keep up with your reading assignments. Note on exercises/assignments: Your computer hard drive, online storage space, USB storage device, etc. may potentially fail. Make multiple copies! I cannot help you even if your work suddenly disappears the night before the due date. Note: any late submission of an exercise/assignment due to computer disasters will receive a late penalty. Again, make multiple copies. Disability Support Services: If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable accommodations, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs and also contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for coordination of your academic accommodations. DSS is located across from the Meriam Library in the Student Services Center building (Student Services Center 170; 898-5959; http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/). Statement of academic honesty: Academic misconduct (as defined in the current California State University, Chico catalogue) will not be tolerated. Students are encouraged to discuss course materials inside and outside the classroom. However, all written material/work submitted by students must be their own work exclusively. No answers to questions must be copied from other students, other classes or the Internet. You need to cite sources when you use someone else’s ideas, data, findings, etc.. The highest standards of honesty are expected when taking quizzes and exams. If you have any questions about what constitutes academic dishonesty, or the consequences of academic misconduct, consult the current university catalogue, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs (Kendall Hall 112; 898-6897; http://www.csuchico.edu/sjd/), or ask me. Course Requirements: Category Percentage Quizzes 10% Exercises 30% Midterm exam 30% Final exam 30% Total 100% Outline: The class schedule and assignments are subject to change. Timeline* Week Month Day Chapter 01 Aug 23, 25, 27 1, 2 02 Aug/Sept 30, 1, 3 3, 4 03 Sept 8, 10 5, 6 04 Sept 13, 15, 17 7, 8 05 Sept 20, 22, 24 9, 10 06 Sept/Oct 27, 29, 1 11, 12 07 Oct 4,6,7 13, 14 08 Oct 11, 13, 15 15, 16 Midterm Exam 09 Oct 18, 20, 22 17, 18 10 Oct 25, 27, 29 19, 20 11 Nov 1, 3, 5 21, 22 12 Nov 8, 10, 12 23, 24 13 Nov 15, 17, 19 25, 26 14 Nov 22, 24, 26 Thanksgiving 15 Nov/Dec 29, 1, 3 27, 28 16 Dec 6, 8, 10 29, 30 17 Dec 15 (W) 10-11:50 AM Final Exam * Subject to change by instructor with no notice provided. Studying tips: After each class, I strongly recommend you review your lecture notes, supplementing them with readings from the text and what you have learned from the online resources. Make a note of any questions and bring them to class, or stop by my office during office hours. If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course, you should come and see me immediately. Don’t wait until the middle of the semester or even later. You can set up an appointment in class or e-mail me at nsato2@csuchico.edu.