Course Syllabus
A PDF version of the syllabus can be downloaded here
Instructor: Dr. Pierre Kirstetter
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Dr. Pierre KirstetterAssociate Professor, School of Meteorology, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental ScienceExecutive Associate Director, Hydrology and Water Security ProgramAreas of Interests and Expertise:
Selected Awards and Achievements:
Office Phone: (405) 325-6092 |
The instructor reserves the right to change any items contained in this syllabus. This includes, but is not limited to: course content, scheduled dates, and fraction(s) of final grade assigned to individual components of the course.
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course description
Hydrometeorology is a rapidly changing discipline with new techniques for monitoring hydrologic stores and fluxes across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, enabling multi-resolution modeling and updating decision making practice. New remote sensing observations brought the water cycle to the forefront of earth sciences, yet higher education in applied or engineering hydrology has been slow to embrace remote sensing. Practitioners face complex scientific, managerial, and policy problems in the water arena, all of which require high quality training.
The objective of this course is to fill voids in education between atmospheric science and hydrology and between water science and engineering by training students with unique, cross-disciplinary expertise in weather and water related hazard. Within the Hydrology & Water Security program, the overarching goal is to foster the education of the next generation of water practitioners, by promoting the use of latest observations for research, decision making and infrastructure design for future scientists and engineers.
Understanding of the precipitation processes, spatial and temporal resolutions in which various techniques can capture precipitation patterns, retrieval approaches and associated uncertainties, is needed for hydrometeorology research and application, e.g. in disaster risk prevention, decision making under uncertainty, and civil and environmental systems design. The course focuses on precipitation information that can be obtained from various sensors such as gauges, weather radars and satellite-based sensors, as well as on the impact of precipitation variability on hydrological response at various scales. Data analysis and computational methods for hydrometeorology will be explored.
The course will start with a short introduction to clouds and precipitation physics. Following the introduction, the material will transition into precipitation sensing including gauges, radar and satellites. Quantitative precipitation estimation, adjustment and uncertainty characterization will be covered, as well as geostatistical mapping and merging. The remainder of the course will be dedicated toward applications of quantitative precipitation estimation for hydrology, water related hazards and water infrastructure.
Course Objectives
The goal is to develop your understanding of precipitation characteristics extracted from different sensors, how it relates to hydrological predictions and decision making, and to provide valuable experience with data analysis and computational methods for hydrometeorology. The traditional lecture format will provide you with the material necessary to attain a communicable understanding of the science and techniques and the assignments will allow you to gain useful experience and skills. Therefore, this course aims to provide you with a fundamental yet practical tool to understand basics of precipitation remote sensing, to make use of existing data for hydrological application and to be familiar with current and future water-relevant instruments.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, I expect you to be able to:
- Communicate theoretical and applied topics of precipitation physics, remote sensing and related applications with others
- Compare and contrast quantitative precipitation estimates from different instruments and their combinations
- Analyze datasets and identify distinct/implicative characteristics that confirm theoretical understanding of precipitation physics and their hydrological applications, or identify areas for improvement
Course Meeting Time and Location
Time: MWF 12:00-12:50 pm, from August 21 to December 8, 2023
Location: National Weather Center, Room 5720
Office hours: National Weather Center Room 4616, 2 – 3 pm on Monday or by appointment
Learning management system: https://canvas.ou.edu/courses
Weekly lectures and supplemental material are online and at the student’s pace.
Course Prerequisites
Prior knowledge of hydrology and hydrometeorology fundamentals or equivalent undergraduate 3000–4000 level courses.
Course Materials
You will need the following hardware, software, or web accounts:
- Access to a computer
- Zoom Account
- Webcam
- Scanner or Scanning applications to upload documents to Canvas
- R
No textbook is required for this course. A number of textbooks and journal articles are used to develop lecture materials, each of them having strengths and weaknesses. Here is a list of some of the references I may use in the class:
- Radar Hydrology- Principles, Models and Applications (2015), first edition. (ISBN: 9781466514621)*
- Precipitation advances in measurement, estimation, and prediction (2008). ISBN: 9783540776550)*
- Pruppacher & Klett: Microphysics of Clouds and Precipitation, 2nd ed., Springer*
* Digital access available through OU libraries
Additional readings may be assigned throughout the semester.
Teaching philosophy & inclusion statement
My goal is to create a class in which everyone is welcome, included, and able to learn and succeed. I assume that all of us have different ways of learning, and that the organization of any course will accommodate each student differently. For example, you may prefer to process information by speaking and listening, so that some of the handouts I provide may be difficult to absorb. Please talk to me if there is something I need to know to facilitate a positive and productive learning experience for you. Please communicate with me as soon as you can about your individual learning needs and how this course can best accommodate them.
An easy and effective way to learn and master a new set of abstract principles is to apply them to a variety of applications. Each basic principle is presented and illustrated through relevant examples. The exercise problems in each chapter further enhance understanding of basic concepts and reinforce a working knowledge of concepts and methods. The assigned reading supplements the lecture materials and provides coverage of material that may not be covered in detail in class.
Learning activities, assignments
- Be respectful of others and their views. We will not tolerate name-calling or derogatory remarks in this class. Keep your language professional and appropriate. If you cannot do this, you will be asked to leave. Students may also share their pronouns. Their gender identities and gender expressions should be honored.
- Allow others to speak. It is good to participate in the discussion, but make sure everyone gets a chance to be heard. In class and group discussions, be respectful and do not talk while others are speaking.
- Listen and reflect upon what others have to say. We expect you to learn from each other just as much as you learn from us. Actively engage in group discussions by listening, thinking, and then asking questions when you are unclear.
- Speak up and participate. Actively engage in your group’s activity so you will be prepared to explain your work to other groups and/or the instructor.
Expectations
- Attend classes, view the online course content, participate in classroom exercises and discussions, and ask questions!
- Read lecture syllabus thoroughly;
- Complete homework assignments in time, and look over it to keep up with the lecture;
- Refer to the calendar on the Canvas METR/CEES 5643 site for important deadlines;
- Verify the accuracy of any grades posted to the gradebook of Canvas.
During lecture, I expect you to be respectful to everyone. Please silence your cell phones, limit personal conversation, and take an active role in lecture. Notes may only be taken by hand (no laptops), unless you have a documented need for accommodation.
An easy and effective way to learn and master a new set of abstract principles is to apply them to a variety of applications. In the book, the concepts and methods are explained through a variety of relevant engineering and physical problems. Each basic principle is presented and illustrated through different examples relevant to engineering and the physical sciences, particularly civil and environmental engineering. The exercise problems in each chapter further enhance understanding of basic concepts and reinforce a working knowledge of concepts and methods. The assigned reading supplements the lecture materials and provides coverage of material that may not be covered in detail in class.
Assignments are important for your understanding of the material. You may discuss homework assignments among yourselves, as this is a good way to learn the material. Occasional help from a classmate is fine but be sure that you actually understand the material. It will help tremendously for you to come visit me in my office hours. You will be pleasantly surprised that I am not as mean as I look. Homework submitted should represent your own work. If you work in a group, seek assistance from a tutor, or use one of the resources on campus, the work you turn in must be in your own words, demonstrating your own understanding of the material that you have gained through the learning process. Realize that simply copying an assignment from any source is considered cheating and will definitely not help your understanding. If caught, such activity could result in a failing grade in the course and possible disciplinary action. Any evidence of direct copying will result in a zero-homework grade for all involved parties. Copying from solutions manuals will also result in a zero-homework grade. The most serious offenses can often be avoided by citing sources—when in doubt, cite it! As part of our work together we will talk about how to accurately and responsibly cite sources, both to avoid plagiarism and strengthen your arguments. Plagiarism as defined by the OU Integrity Office includes:
- Copying words and presenting them as your own writing.
- Copying words, even if you give the source, unless you also indicate that the copied words are a direct quotation.
- Copying words and then changing them a little, even if you give the source.
- Even if you express it in your own words, it is plagiarism to use someone else’s idea as is.
Collaborating on exams will result in an F for the course for all parties involved. All students are expected to be familiar with and abide by the OU Academic Misconduct Code. Information on this code and other student policies is located at http://studentconduct.ou.edu.
All assignments are due through online submission at the beginning of class on the date due unless otherwise announced. Homework late submissions up to one day late will be accepted with a penalty of 10% of the total possible points. Later submissions will not be accepted without prior consent of the instructor and without an exceptional reason, resulting in a zero grade. Assignments should be submitted in advance of an anticipated absence (only as a scanned pdf, NOT A PHOTO). All answers must show adequate work, including the steps to reach the final answer. Points will be taken out if either steps or the final answer are inadequate.
Homework format:
- Write your name on your homework set;
- Use only A4 sized paper, printer paper, or engineering notebook paper;
- Clearly identify the problem number before writing up the solution for the problem;
- Solutions to homework problems must be written-up following the assigned order of problems;
- Include statistical software output as appropriate;
- Write neatly or type up your solutions to ensure they are legible! If illegible, your homework will not be graded!
Grades
Grades will be assigned based on student’s performance on different types of assignments. Weighted percentages will be applied as follows in the following four sections:
Breakdown
| Participation/Discussion/Communication | 10% |
| Homework & Quizzes | 20% |
| Exam 1 | 25% |
| Exam 2 | 25% |
| Final Project | 20% |
Grades may be viewed on Canvas. Please note that scores for online quizzes may appear immediately after the lecture. Other than that, grades will not appear immediately as they will be intermittently updated during the term, but students will be notified via email when grades are posted to Canvas.
Scale
| 90-100% | A |
| 80-89% | B |
| 70-79% | C |
| 60-69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Policies
I understand that many of us may be faced with unforeseen circumstances that can prevent us from completing our work on time or attending every session. Our late work and attendance policy exist, however, because your participation is crucial not only to your own success, but also in contributing to the success of your peers who are able to learn from what you bring to the classroom.
Communication
In addition to office hours, I am generally available for discussion of lecture material and assignments in the hour following each day’s lecture. Email is the primary communication method. I am available by email at any time (excluding vacation) and will make every attempt to respond to emails within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on weekends. To ensure a prompt response, please indicate “METR/CEES Quantitative Hydrometeorology” in the email subject line as a prefix. The course website is on Canvas. Materials and assignments will be posted on Canvas. If you cannot access canvas.ou.edu or do not see the enrolled course, please contact 405-325-HELP. For course assignments and exams, grades can be expected within 1 week of submission.
Late Policy
Deadlines within this class have been created to allow for: peer engagement, me to be able to assess if everyone is understanding the course material or if we need to revisit some of the subjects, and to provide me with time needed to grade so that you can receive feedback as quickly as possible. As such, it is very important that you strive to meet all deadlines within this course.
Homework late submissions up to one day late will be accepted with a penalty of 10% of the total possible points. Later submissions will not be accepted.
However, if something is preventing you from submitting work on time, I ask that you contact me as soon as you realize there may be an issue so that we can discuss options, including if it would count as an excused late submission (e.g., accommodations, as communicated with ADRC, medical emergencies, illness or death in a close relation, university sponsored activities). If in doubt on whether a late submission would be excused or not, I want you to talk with me.
Attendance
While attendance and participation in lecture is strongly encouraged, attendance is not taken in lecture. Students with excused absences (University/academic commitment, health/family issue, jury duty, etc.) may make up any missed work with me for the day of their absence. If an excused absence falls on a due date for an assignment, please contact me as soon as possible to arrange acceptable accommodations for making up missed work. In cases of sickness, alert your instructors BEFORE the class period (phone, email) and we will discuss alternative arrangements.
Examination Attendance
Students who will be away from campus on exam(s) date due to a University sanctioned event or family emergency should contact Dr. Kirstetter and finalize arrangements with a National Collegiate Testing Association testing center at least one week prior to the exam date. NCTA centers have different requirements about setting up exams in advance. It is advisable to start this process well ahead of the one-week deadline, with an abundance of caution. An official letter and/or email from the University office, advisor, or organization is required.
Students absent for the final exam due to illness must contact Dr. Kirstetter prior to the exam.
For any other cases, no make-up exam will be granted, which lead to miss the exam points.
Semester Project
You will be required to conduct an independent (1) literature review, (2) semester paper, and (3) semester presentation focused on a specific, student-chosen topic concerning Quantitative Hydrometeorology.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalogue.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Integrity
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Academic Misconduct
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity. This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Students engaging in academic misconduct (including cheating, plagiarism, and any other action that may improperly affect evaluation) will be subject to sanctions in accordance with the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity. Academic misconduct of any kind will not be tolerated.Academic Misconduct is defined as any act which improperly affects the evaluation of a student’s academic performance or achievement. Misconduct occurs when the student either knows or reasonably should know that the act constitutes misconduct. “I didn’t know it was plagiarizing/cheating” is never an excuse for academic misconduct.
Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. As a member of the OU community it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. For specific definitions on what constitutes cheating, review the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic misconduct of any kind will be dealt with by official University channels and will be punishable by penalties including receiving a grade of “F” for the course and/or expulsion from the University.
Any papers, writings, or materials that are deemed suspicious by the instructor or the exam proctors will be confiscated and/or documented for misconduct procedures as considered appropriate (e.g. photographs of writing on surfaces). You should understand that your instructor takes these matters seriously. Students who are caught in any form of academic misconduct should expect extremely severe penalties.
Students may report any instances of cheating they observe, especially any observed cheating during exams.To do so, contact the Office of Academic Integrity Programs at integrity.ou.edu.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your professor or the Disability Resource Center at 405/325-3852 as soon as possible. Also, see http://www.ou.edu/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for answers to commonly asked questions.
Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, the University offers a variety of resources. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405/325-2215 (8 to 5, M-F) or smo@ou.edu. Incidents can also be reported confidentially to OU Advocates at 405/615-0013 (phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies can be directed to University Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator at 405/325-3546 or smo@ou.edu . For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/eoo.html.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2]. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU’s Final Exam Preparation Period policy (https://apps.hr.ou.edu/FacultyHandbook#4.10).
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather: 1. LOOK for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances 2. SEEK refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building. 3. GO to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows. 4.GET IN, GET DOWN, COVER UP. 5. WAIT for official notice to resume normal activities.
Link to Severe Weather Refuge Areas; Severe Weather Preparedness -Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder: If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots: 1. GET OUT: If you believe you can get out of the area WITHOUT encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911. 2. HIDE OUT: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room. 3. TAKE OUT: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/emergencypreparedness.html; Shots Fired on Campus Procedure - Video
Fire Alarm/General Emergency: If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates: 1. LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators. 2. KNOW at least two building exits 3. ASSIST those that may need help 4. PROCEED to the emergency assembly area 5. ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues. 6. WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment call (405) 325-2911. For more information please visit http://www.ou.edu/ucc.
Land Acknowledgement Statement Provided by OU’s Tribal Liaison office
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes. We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people. The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgement is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Summary:
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