Required
![]() Image copyright © by Roland Stull. Used with permission. |
Textbook: "Practical
Meteorology, An Algebra-based Survey of Atmospheric Science-v1.02" by
Stull (2018). This book is available free online at: https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/books/Practical_Meteorology/. Hint: It is easier to use this book and find stuff if you download individal chapter pdfs, instead of downloading the whole book as a single large pdf file. |
Software for your computer. |
This course will be taught in person. Nonetheless, you will need to bring your laptop or tablet or cell phone to class.
By logging into Canvas and selecting this course (ATSC 201), you will find links that give you FREE access to the iClicker-Student account. Here are more details:0) Canvas: If you are unfamiliar with the Canvas learning management tool, here is a Canvas Student Guide pdf that you can download and read. 1) Zoom. We will not use Zoom this term for lectures, because the course is in person. However, we will probably use zoom for office hours. 2) pdf Viewer.
There are many different apps that allow you to view and annotate pdf
files, such as chapters from our textbook. Almost any app is OK
for this course. Some apps come free with your computer (such as
Preview on Apple computers), some web browsers have built-in pdf
viewers, and some other pdf viewers can be purchased. 3) iClicker: Use this UBC iClicker Student Guide to set up your free iClicker-Student account, which is free for UBC students. Also, here is a short YouTube video to give you an overview of iClicker-Student: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGoG5RTXVvQ This term, we will NOT use the physical iClicker handheld "remote" transmitter for this class. Instead, we will use the free iclicke-Student software .Privacy information: Some of your personal iClicker data will be on computers outside of Canada. When you sign up (i.e., register) for the iClicker-Student software, you will be asked to agree to this. (If you are not willing to consent to this, then you can sign up using an alias.) You will probably want to open the two items listed above ( pdf viewer for the textbook, and iClicker) at the start of every class meeting. Other apps are discussed in the Help link above. |
Optional Readings of Recent
Journal Papers (Worth bonus marks in Optional One-page Essays.).
See Assignments web pages for dates.
Essay #1 - Topic: xxx.
(Turn in at same time as HWxxx) xxx_link_here_xxx . xxx_authors & title here_xxx.
Questions: xxx?
Essay #2 - Topic: xxx.
(Turn in at same time as HWxxx) xxx_link_here_xxx . xxx_authors & title here_xxx.
Questions: xxx?
Essay #3 - Topic: xxx.
(Turn in at same time as HWxxx) xxx_link_here_xxx . xxx_authors & title here_xxx.
Questions: xxx?
Essay #4 - Topic: xxx.
(Turn in at same time as HWxxx) xxx_link_here_xxx . xxx_authors & title here_xxx.
Questions: xxx?
Essay #1 - Topic: Phased Array Radar.
(Turn in at same time as HW3) https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0067.1 . Weber et al, 2021: Towards the Next Generation Operational Meteorological Radar. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
Questions: What is a phased array radar? What can it measure? What are its advantages over traditional radars that were discussed in the textbook?
Essay #2 - Topic: Rainbows.
(Turn in at the same time as HW5) https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0101.1 . Businger, S., 2021: The secrets of the Best Rainbows on Earth. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
Questions: Describe the optics involved in rainbows. Why are convective clouds ideal for the best thunderstorms? (Hints: see the first page of Chapter 15 in our textbook. Also skim the rainbow section of Chapter 22 in our textbook.)
Essay #3 - Topic: Lightning Megaflashes.
(Turn in at the same time as HW7) https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0178.1 . Peterson, M. 2021: Where are the Most Extradinary Lightning Megaflashes in the Americas? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
Questions: What are lightning megaflashes, what causes them, where are they relative to thunderstorm clouds, and where in the world are they most frequent?
Essay #4 - Topic: Satellites. (Turn in the same time as HW11) https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0082.1 . Klaes, et al, 2021: The EUMETSAT Polar System. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
Questions: What have been some of the meteorological successes/capabilities of the European polar-orbiting weather satellites?
Other Interesting Books (for fun; not required): Other books & articles.