METEO 815
Applied Atmospheric Data Analysis

METEO 815 Syllabus

Applied Atmospheric Data Analysis - Summer 2024

Please note that I divided the syllabus into several sections. You can read it sequentially by scrolling down the length of this page, or simply by clicking on any of the links in the list below (to “jump” to a specific section). Without reservation, it is crucial that you read the entire page (and the material covered on the other pages of the course orientation). Together, they constitute an informal course "contract" between you and me.

Instructor

Jan Dutton, Ph.D.
Adjunct Instructor
jfd118@psu.edu

Note:

All communication between instructor and students should occur within the Canvas course management system. For more details, please read Course Communication under the Course Orientation section.

Technical Assistance

If you're studying the course content in Meteo 815 and encounter a lesson page with a typo, broken link, or you have trouble viewing one of the animations or images, feel free to post a question in one of the course discussion forums found in each lesson module. I'll do my best to determine the cause of the problem and get it fixed.

However, if you're having trouble with Canvas (posting to a discussion forum, sending an email, taking a quiz, etc.), please use the Help button located in the left banner of the Canvas environment. You will notice that there are several options. First, I would try the Canvas Guides... they are an excellent resource. However, if you still are stuck, use the "Report a Problem for World Campus Courses" option to contact the Outreach Helpdesk. When describing your issue, try to be as specific as you possibly can. Include information such as:

  • the specific part of Canvas you're having trouble with, what you attempted to do when that failed, and the exact language of any error message displayed on your screen,
  • the date and time when your problem occurred,
  • the type of browser and OS that you are using, and
  • any other pertinent information (does the problem happen consistently and always in the same way, etc.).

Alternatively, you can contact the Helpdesk directly in a variety of ways.

The Outreach Helpdesk
wdtechsupport@outreach.psu.edu
http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/technical-support
(800) 252-3592, option #4
(814) 865-0047

Hours of Operation:

  • 08:00 A.M. till 12:00 Midnight ET, Monday through Friday
  • 10:00 A.M. till 7:00 P.M. ET, Saturday and Sunday

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General Course Structure

METEO 815: Applied Atmospheric Data Analysis. (3 credits). Practical guidance on methods for describing, testing, and modeling environmental data. Prerequisites: Meteo 810

METEO 815 is the second course in a series of online offerings in Weather and Climate Analytics. Other courses include how to parse and display large environment datasets, time series analytics, and predictive modeling.

Course materials in METEO 815 consist of 8 online lessons, for which I've allotted approximately two weeks apiece. Within each lesson, students will complete the assigned reading as well as an extensive data analysis activity. These activities are meant to improve your skills in data analysis and communication (while developing your proficiency in the use of the R statistical-coding language). A final project will build on these activities. 

Course Objectives

When you successfully complete this course, you will be prepared to:

  • compute descriptive measures and produce figures describing weather and climate datasets;
  • formulate and perform hypothesis testing to determine the significance of a prescribed extreme weather event;
  • visualize, quantify, and model the relationship between observed and forecast variables in applied problems such as weather-marketplace interactions;
  • incorporate current data mining strategies to create analysis workflows for weather and climate data;
  • choose the appropriate analysis procedure given a problem and data constraints; and
  • display weather and climate analyses in a manner that effectively communicates answers to posed questions.

Below is a visual syllabus. The goal of this visual is to help you look at the bigger picture of the course and to see how the individual lessons build. I encourage you to look at the visual each lesson to see where you are going and what you have already accomplished. 

What I Expect of You

As with most graduate courses, there is a considerably higher onus on you to take responsibility for your own learning. While lessons present guidance on what you need to learn, much of your actual learning will take place as you engage in directed research and experiment with various examples presented in the text. Following through on these examples and exploring various ways to accomplish prescribed, data-analysis tasks are an absolute necessity, not only to be successful on the lesson's assessment activity but to meet your own learning goals as well.

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Required Course Materials

I emphasize here that all the material contained in the lessons, taken as a whole, will serve as the primary textbook for this course. If you desire a supplement to the online text, I might suggest a manual on the R programming language. There are many different books to choose from, and I would choose one that fits your learning style and background. However, know that most answers to R programming problems can be found in online programming forums. I would give that a try first.

It goes without saying that you'll need an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password to access all of the online course resources maintained in Canvas. If you have any questions about obtaining or activating your Penn State Access Account, please contact the Help Desk at your home campus.

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Assignments and Grading

Two components of assessment will comprise your final grade in METEO 815:

  • Lesson Activities     ...70% 
  • Culminating Project ...30%

Detailed information about these assessments is covered in the Course Assignments section of the Course Orientation material.

The grading scale will differ from the traditional "points-based" scales that you are familiar with. First, I assume that you are taking this course because you want to learn the material, and thus, you will give your maximum effort in doing so. This course, not unlike the real world, has very few "right" answers. Instead, what counts is a good deal of research, thought, and effort behind any project that you take on. I will expect no different in this course. Below are my rubric criteria for letter grades as applied to any assessment (or section thereof) or as an overall grade.

  • Grade of A: This grade represents exemplary work, in both thought and effort. As an overall grade, an "A" represents a consistent pattern of diligence, correct analysis, and attention to detail.
  • Grade of B: Earning a B means that you completed the assessment as stated, but perhaps displayed some flawed analysis or lackluster presentation. By all means, a "B" is nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, this grade represents work that is still quite good, both in effort and execution. However, there are likely areas that the student can improve upon. A final grade of "B" could represent a track record of consistently "good" work or some inconsistency of work, some being excellent while others leaning more to the "poor" end of the spectrum.
  • Grade of C: Unlike at the undergraduate level, a "C" grade represents "poor" performance, in either thought or execution of assignments. Typically, a "C" grade in graduate work is considered a failing grade (one that requires a repeat of the course). 
  • Grade of F: This grade is reserved for students who did not complete a significant portion of the work assigned. It represents a failure to complete the course on any level.

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Course Policies

Prerequisites

Students who do not meet these prerequisites may be disenrolled according to Administrative Policy C-5;if they do not have the proper prerequisite override. If you have not completed the listed prerequisites, then promptly consult with the instructor if you have not done so already. Students who add the course after being disenrolled, according to this policy, are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Technical Requirements

For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the World Campus Technical Requirements page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the IT Service Desk.

Internet Connection

Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.

Equations

This course must be viewed using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported. If you use any other browser, or if you are not using the latest version of your browser, some pages containing equations may not render properly. In addition, javascript must be enabled for equations to render properly. If you have any issues with equations not rendering properly, please update your browser to the latest version or try using a different browser. If you need additional technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk (for World Campus students) or the IT Service Desk (for students at all other campus locations).

Penn State E-mail Accounts

All official communications from Penn State are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail to your preferred e-mail account, so you don't miss any important information.

Academic Integrity

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 at Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. 

According to Penn State policy  G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete coursework and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, that can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for the Dean's List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.

Please also see Earth and Mineral Sciences Academic Integrity Procedures, which this course adopts. To learn more, see Penn State’s “Academic Integrity Training for Students.”

Course Copyright

All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note-Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws. For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.

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 Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides the contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website.

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. See Student Disability Resources: Applying for Services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Change in Normal Campus Operations

In case of weather-related delays or other emergency campus disruptions or closures 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 these delays or closures. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.

Reporting Educational Equity Concerns

Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance) and can be reported through Educational Equity via Report Bias.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing.  The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings.  These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.  Services include the following: 

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park  (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Counseling Services at Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

Military Personnel

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Connect Online with Caution

Penn State is committed to educational access for all. Our students come from all walks of life and have diverse life experiences. As with any other online community, the lack of physical interaction in an online classroom can create a false sense of anonymity and security. While one can make new friends online, digital relationships can also be misleading. Good judgment and decision-making are critical when choosing to disclose personal information with others whom you do not know. 

Deferred Grades

If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time for reasons that are beyond your control, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor, following Penn State Deferred Grade Policy 48-40. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by e-mail or U.S. post) to the instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested before the beginning of the final examination period.  It is up to the instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If permission is granted, you will work with the instructor to establish a communication plan and a clear schedule for completion within policy.  If, for any reason, the coursework for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript.

In EMS, inclusivity is one of our core values. We prioritize fostering a diverse and equitable community where each member knows they belong here and is inspired to succeed. We encourage everyone in our EMS community to be actively engaged in fostering this ideal, and all members of this class should contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment and interact with civility. Our commitment to inclusivity aligns with Penn State’s values and policies. 

To learn more, visit EMS Educational Equity.  Here, you will find information about the EMS ALLWE initiative, the Rainbow EMS Network, Anti-Racism, active ally-ship, bystander intervention, and more. The site also has resources for where to turn if you need assistance and links to University references.  Also, contact your EMS department’s Associate Head for DEI for more information about department initiatives. 

Attendance

This course will be conducted entirely online. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments with specific due dates. Many of the assignments are open for multiple days, so it is your responsibility to complete the work early if you plan to travel or participate in national holidays, religious observances, or university-approved activities.  If you need to request an exception due to a personal or medical emergency, contact the instructor directly as soon as you are able. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mandated Reporting Statement

Penn State’s policies require me, as a faculty member, to share information about incidents of sex-based discrimination and harassment (discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation) with Penn State’s Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless of whether the incidents are stated to me in person or shared by students as part of their coursework. For more information regarding the University's policies and procedures for responding to reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, please visit Penn State's Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response website.

Additionally, I am required to make a report on any reasonable suspicion of child abuse in accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.

Disclaimer

Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes to the syllabus shall be given to you in written (paper or electronic) form.