MET 1010: Introduction to Weather

1
MET 1010 Introduction to Weather

• Instructor Konstantin Matchev
• Time MWF 300-350 pm
• Location NPB 1001
• Office hours M 400-430 pm

Please, pick up a copy of the syllabus.
2
The Rules of the Game

• Time and Location
• Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 300 pm-350
  pm NPB 1001
• Office Hours
• Mondays at 400 pm in my office (NPB
  2055).
• e-mail matchev_at_phys.ufl.edu
• tel. [phone]
• Required Materials
• The main textbook -"Meteorology Today" by C.
  Donald Ahrens, 8th 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.

3
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 Suns Weather Trivia.
• The dates of the exams are announced
• Midterm 1 February 13, Wednesday (in class)
• Midterm 2 March 19, Wednesday (in class)
• Midterm 3 April 16, Wednesday (in class)
• Final exam May 1, Thursday, 1230-130 pm
• 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.

4
Grading Scale
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

5
Grading Example
Actual
Max.

• Midterm 1 45
  99
• Midterm 2 75
  99
• Midterm 3 60
  99
• Final exam 81x2
  99
• Total 75608181297 out of 396
• Percent score 75
• Final Grade B

6
Grading Example
Actual
Max.

• Midterm 1 81
  99
• Midterm 2 75
  99
• Midterm 3 60
  99
• Final exam 45x1
  99
• Total 81756045261 out of 396
• Percent score 65.9
• Final Grade B

7
Grading Example
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

8
Grading Example
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

9
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

10
What did the students think of the new 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 students (20) S07 15 (21) F07 17
  (16)
• I used an old edition but in hindsight I wish I
  had purchased the new edition.
• F06 2 students (3) S07 2 (3) F07
  5 (4.5)
• I used the new edition of the textbook but I
  never used the MeteorologyNow web-based learning
  companion, either because the book didnt come
  with it or because I didnt feel any need for it.
• F06 40 students (57) S07 44 (63) F07 72
  (66.5)
• 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 students (11.5) S07 6 (8.5) F07
  6 (5.5)
• 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 students (8.5) S07 3 (4.5) F07
  8 (7.5)

11
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)
• I bought the workbook/study guide but rarely used
  it
• F07 19 students (22.5)
• I often used the workbook/study guide but did not
  find it particularly useful.
• F07 2 students (2.5)
• I often used the workbook/study guide and found
  it quite useful.
• F07 19 students (22.5)
• Workbook? What workbook?
• F07 12 students (14)

12
Course web pagehttp//www.phys.ufl.edu/matchev/M
ET1010

• 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