METEO 422 Zhang FA14

Advanced Dynamic Meteorology MWF 2:30-3:30pm 101 Walker Instructor Dr. Fuqing Zhang

METEO 422: Advanced Dynamic Meteorology

Fall 2014
Instructor: Prof. Fuqing Zhang, 627A Walker Building, fzhang@psu.edu , 865-0470
Office hour: Monday 8:30-9:30
Class Meet Times and Location: Walker 101, MWF 2:30-3:20

Scope:

This course in atmospheric dynamics covers advanced topics, including waves and instabilities that lead to the development of various atmospheric phenomena at the synoptic and smaller scales, numerical modeling principles and applications, understanding of the general circulation that can be used for extended-range forecasting, planetary boundary layer, fronts and frontogensis, and hurricanes.

Prerequisites: METEO 421

Students who do not meet these prerequisites after being informed in writing by the instructor may be dis-enrolled during the first 10-day free add-drop period: http:/www.psu.edu/dept/oue/aappm/C-5.html . If you have not completed the listed prerequisites, then promptly consult with the instructor if you have not done so already. Students who re-enroll after being dis-enrolled according to this policy are in violation of Item 15 on the Student Code of Conduct: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/codeofconduct/ .

Internet materials and links: Class Angel page

Homework:

Problem sets will be assigned roughly every week. You are expected to work independently to solve the problems though discussions among classmates are allowed. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Late homework will be penalized 20% each day after the due date; it will not be accepted after the 5th day past due.

Grading:

Homework (20%), two in-class exams (25% each), and a final exam (30%).

Textbook:

Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology (Holton and Hakim, 5th edition)

Course policies:

This course abides by the Penn State Class Attendance Policy 42-27: http://senate.psu.edu/policies/42-00.html#42-27 , Attendance Policy E-11: http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/E-11.html , and Conflict Exam Policy 44-35: http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/44-00.html#44-35 . Please also see Illness Verification Policy: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/welcome/illnessVerification/ , and Religious Observance Policy: http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/R-4.html . Students who miss class for legitimate reasons will be given a reasonable opportunity to make up missed work, including exams and quizzes. Students are not required to secure the signature of medical personnel in the case of illness or injury and should use their best judgment on whether they are well enough to attend class or not; the University Health Center will not provide medical verification for minor illnesses or injuries. Other legitimate reasons for missing class include religious observance, family emergencies, and regularly scheduled university-approved curricular or extracurricular activities. Students who encounter serious family, health, or personal situations that result in extended absences should contact the Office of Student and Family Services for help: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/familyservices/ . Whenever possible, students participating in University-approved activities should submit to the instructor a Class Absence Form available from the Registrar's Office: http://www.registrar.psu.edu/student_forms/ , at least one week prior to the activity.

Course Outline:

  1. Review of fundamental dynamics covered in Meteo 421
    • The governing equations
    • Gravity waves
    • Rossby waves
    • Quasi-geostrophic analysis
    • Baroclinic instability
  2. Other atmospheric instabilities
    • Barotropic instability
    • Convective, inertial and symmetric instabilities
    • Kelvin-Helmholtz instability
  3. Planetary boundary layer
    • Planetary boundary layer and its structure
    • Atmospheric turbulence
    • Secondary circulations and Ekman pumping
  4. Mesoscale circulation
    • Fronts and frontogenesis
    • Mountain waves
    • Convection
    • Hurricanes
  5. The general circulation
    • Observed structure
    • Momentum and energy budget
    • Low-frequency variability
  6. Introduction to numerical weather prediction (if time permits)
    • Model dynamics and numerical approximation
    • Model physics and parameterization
    • Data assimilation
    • Predictability and ensemble forecasting

The EMS Academic Integrity Statement:

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity in the College. All students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the EMS community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

To protect the rights and maintain the trust of honest students and support appropriate behavior, EMS faculty will regularly communicate high standards of integrity and reinforce them by taking reasonable steps to anticipate and prevent acts of dishonesty in all assignments. At the beginning of each course, the instructor will provide students with a statement clarifying the application of EMS academic integrity policies to that course.

Although it is the prerogative of the individual course instructor to pursue violations of academic integrity, the College strongly encourages all faculty to inform their students of the College policy on academic dishonesty and to include a definitive statement in their course syllabi describing unacceptable behavior and the sanctions to be applied should a violation occur. In the case of the latter, a sanction might indicate that a first cheating infraction would lead to a score of zero on the examination or assignment in which the violation occurred, and a second incident would result in an F grade (failure) in the course. A more extensive list of possible sanctions relevant to specific violations may be found in the Precedent Guidelines for Academic Integrity Violations. Moreover, faculty statements also should include conditions or criteria that uniquely apply to the course. For example, large and crowded classrooms require the need for extra care and civility on the part of students to avoid irritation to their neighbors. It is of the utmost importance that students be reminded frequently and clearly about the importance of academic integrity to the educational and scientific enterprise and the consequences to those who chose to violate basic rules of honest behavior.

Accommodations for students with disabilities:

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Disability Services (ODS) Web site provides  contact information for every Penn State campus :  http://equity.psu.edu/ods/dcl . For further information, please visit the  Office for Disability Services Web site : http://equity.psu.edu/ods . In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled,  participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation : http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines . If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your  campus’s disability services office  will provide you with an accommodation letter.

Other statements:

Residence Instruction: Campus emergencies, including weather delays, are announced on Penn State News: http:/news.psu.edu/ and communicated to cellphones, email, the Penn State Facebook page, and Twitter via PSUAlert ( Sign up at: https://psualert.psu.edu/psualert/ ).

Online Instruction:

In case of weather-related delays at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to weather delays. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, then please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.