NATS 101 (30) Introduction to Weather & Climate Click on image for more details Syllabus
Prerequisites:	None
Instructor:	Professor Eric Betterton
Class Hours:	Tue/Thur 9:30-10:45am; ILC 150
Office Hours:	Steve Stegall (TA):  Mon 10:00-10:50; Wed 2:00-2:50; PAS 510.  stegall@atmo.arizona.edu Prof. Betterton: by appointment (please e-mail Sonya Flores-Basurto)
Dept. Home Page:	www.atmo.arizona.edu
Required Text:	C. Donald Ahrens, Essentials of Meteorology, 5th Edition
Homework:	Voluntary assignments, as needed
Grading Policy	Performance will be evaluated through attendance, quizzes, science project write-ups and a final exam. No make-up quizzes or extra write-ups are available - the class is simply too large to offer such privileges. Up to 10% extra credit is available on each quiz and the Final exam. The course percentage grade will be weighted as follows: each quiz = 10%, each write-up = 10%, final exam = 20% (i.e., quiz average = 40%, write-up average = 40%, final exam = 20%). If your average grade (all 4 quizzes and all 4 writing assignments) is 90.0% or more, you will be assigned an "A" and you won't have to take the final exam. [Note: 89.9% is not the same as 90.0%].  If you don't meet the requirement above, the lowest quiz score is dropped (this compensates for the lack of any make-up quizzes). Your three highest quiz scores will be averaged and added to the write-up average and final exam grade to determine your course percentage grade. Letter grades are determined using the following approximate scale: A: 90.0% or more, B: 80.0% to 89.9%, C: 70.0% to 79.9%, D: 60.0% to 69.9%, E: less than 60.0%. Except for (4) above, those who complete all course work but fail to take the Final Exam will automatically be assigned an "I", in accordance with University policy.
Writing Emphasis:	We will observe the University-wide General Education Committee guidelines for integrating writing into Tier One courses. Writing will be integrated into the course requirements through "laboratory" reports, quizzes, and examinations. The writing process and the writing assignments will emphasize critical inquiry, including gathering, interpreting, and evaluating information appropriate to atmospheric sciences.  See the "Scientific Writing" link on our homepage for guidance. Written work will be evaluated for format, organization, style, grammar, and punctuation as well as content and argument. Writing assignments may vary in length, but will add up to a minimum of 8 pages, (i.e. 2 pages per write-up) over the semester. Writing assignments will ask students to organize, document, and communicate information in ways appropriate to atmospheric sciences.
Student Responsibilities:	You are expected to follow the University of Arizona Code of Academic Integrity and to treat fellow students, teaching assistants, and the instructor with courtesy and respect. Participate actively in the learning process by reading textbook assignments as they are given, thinking about what you are writing as you take notes in class, completing and turning in assignments on time, and asking questions about confusing class or textbook material. Please turn off your cellular phone before class.