ATMS/CHEM 458 Course Guidelines and Philosophy

This course is often a mix of disciplines. To make sure we are all on the same page regarding my philosophy/policies on grades, homework, and class participation, I provide this statement. Much of this philosophy is common to the University experience.

General Philosphy: 458 is an upper-level elective, and the course is structured in that frame of mind. I expect you want to think about the material and explore your own curiosities about the atmosphere, and will thus strive to learn necessary mathematical, physical, and chemical methods to achieve these goals whether they are directly presented in lecture or not.
 

Grades:  Grades are based on total points achieved during the course, scaled so that the class mean is typical of 400 level courses in Chemistry and Atmospheric Sciences. Many different methods are used to assess the final grade (problem sets, data analysis routines, report writing, extra credit, etc). If you are worried about your grade during the quarter don't hesitate to get my opinion and advice.
 

Lectures:  I use lectures to present concepts and theories as well as to work through example problems. I pose many questions throughout the course, these are for mainly for you to begin the process of information synthesis. These questions also help me to see whether I've gotten my points across. It is in the trying that we learn, so do not hesitate to attempt an answer regardless of whether you think it’s right or wrong. Lecture is for learning not evaluating and you can rest assured I’m not evaluating during this process. (I can't remember what happen in lecture long enough to enter a grade!). Lecture is thus a time where you should completely disregard any innate need to “get it right” and just try to get it right. Lectures are for your benefit and if you don’t understand something, please, speak up! Your peers and I will thank you. If the class atmosphere is not allowing for you to speak your mind, please let me know immediately and anonymously (e.g. note in my mailbox) if that helps.


Assignments: The problem sets, data analyses, and final project are open-book, open-notes, open-office hours, etc. To do well, you will have to attend lecture regularly where examples are performed. I post visual aids used in lecture but I do not post detailed notes of what I say about those visuals. I also encourage you to attend my office hours for extra insights and guidance. The best approach is to get your questions answered in class (see above). Most problems require a good deal of thought and command of the material that only comes from practice of the fundamentals.