Instructor: Professor Kevin Speer

Office:431 Oceanography-Statistics Building

Office Hours:by appointment (but see below)

Telephone:645-4846

Email:kspeer@ocean.fsu.edu

Textbook: No text. Buoyancy Effects in Fluids by Turner is recommended reading. See also Turner's review paper: Jour. Fluid Mech. 173: 431-471, 1986.

Course Description. OCP 5930 is a special topics course on climate models. Models range in complexity from algebraic to 4-d (x,y,z,t). We will begin with an overview of the components of the Earth's climate system and construct simple models, usually based on box-representations of different climatic regions on the planet. Numerous models published in the lieterature will be reviewed and studied in detail. Each of the parts will begin with a scaling approach to solving the equations approximately, for key physical balances. You are responsible for all the material covered during the class periods. The goal is that you will find the course interesting, challenging and enjoyable.

Class Meetings. Tuesday Thursday classes meet in 433 OSB. These classes involve discussion, exercises, and lectures designed to help you to understand physical phenomena. Attendance will not be taken, but experience shows that your grade is strongly correlated with your attendance record!

Office hours. My formal office hours are by appointment, but in reality I am usually available to meet with you at almost any time during the day. If you telephone or email before coming to my office, though, it will increase your chance of finding me there.

Homework. Homework assignments will be made at the end of each course segment covering a new model.

Examinations. There will be two examinations at mid-term and end-term. There is no specific final exam.There will be no pop quizzes.

Course points. Your point total for the course will be determined by a combination of your exams scores, class
participation, your homework score, and a final project.

Course Grade. Here are the breakpoints for some of the grades:

A-/B+85 points

B-/C+73 points

C-/D60 points

D/F55 points

What these mean, for example, is that if you earn 85 points, your grade will be no worse than an A-, etc.

Academic Honor Code:

Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in The Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. The first paragraph is:

The Academic Honor System of Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.

ADA Statement

Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should: a) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center SDRC; b) bring a letter to the instructor from SDRC indicating you need academic accommodations. Please do this in the first week of class.