815 WBB

The first goal of this course is to introduce you to the theoretical concepts and practical problems associated with making accurate weather observations. Since meteorological instrumentation and software programs are constantly changing, there is no way to predict what types of instruments or software that you will actually work with during your career. As a result, the goal of this course is not to train you, but to provide you with the background, knowledge, and analytical tools necessary to test, calibrate, and evaluate any instrument that you might encounter in the future.

The second goal of this course is to provide you with basic computer programming skills using MATLAB. The MATLAB language is an integrated technical computing environment that combines numeric computation, advanced graphics and visualization, and high-level programming capabilities. This integrated environment lets you tackle a range of tasks including data acquisition, analysis, algorithm development, system simulation, and application development. Specific language features include data structures, object-oriented programming, graphical user interface (GUI) development tools, debugging features, and an ability to link in C, C++, Fortran, and Java routines.

• Brock, F.V. and S.J. Richardson, Meteorological Measurement Systems, Oxford University Press, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-19-513451-6

• DeFelice, T.P., An Introduction ot Meteorological Instrumentation and Measurement, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1998, ISBN 0-13-243270-6
• Meteorological Office, Observer's Handbook (Fourth Edition), Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1982, ISBN 0-11-400329-7
• MATLAB Online Reference: lhttp://www.math.mtu.edu/~msgocken/intro/intro.html

Grades will be based upon your performance on the homework, exams, projects, and non-comprehensive final exam. The weighted contribution of each of these items to your final grade is given below:

Homework applies and extends what is discussed in class. Much of the most important learning takes place when you do homework. As you work on the problems, you learn both the subject matter and how to solve complex problems. You may work on homework with other students, but do not copy from anyone. Late homework is not accepted, so turn in as much as you get done even if that is not everything. The main purpose for doing homework is to help YOU learn the material. Keep in mind that we are available during office hours or by appointment to assist you, if necessary.

Final grades are based on the following scale:
> 90 % guarantees an A or A-
> 80 % guarantees a B+, B, or B-
> 70 % guarantees a C+, C, or C-
> 60 % guarantees a D+, D, or D-
< 60% results in an E

Sometimes cutoff points are lowered to produce more natural break-points and a reasonable distribution of grades, but please don't count on it.

Students must take every exam with exceptions governed by University Policy. Plagiarizing, copying, cheating or otherwise misrepresenting ones' work will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as harshly as permitted under University Policy. Do not break the scientific code of honor.

We will not take attendance, but keep in mind that this course moves at a rapid pace. Missing just one class can result in a lack of understanding in future classes. In addition, some course material that you are responsible for will only be presented during lectures (i.e., will not be found in the book).