Our main textbook for this course is dense, and I have attempted to keep my commentary concise since the reading assignments are lengthy. The reading assignment will occasionally skip sections that are not important to the understanding of the lesson. If the reading material includes a topic that I do not mention in this course guide, however, you may assume that it is required material for the exams. If you have questions about points not discussed in the notes or the homework assignments, feel free to e-mail them to me or include them with your homework assignment. The lessons are organized according to topic and vary in length.
Most students find Lessons Four and Six the most conceptually challenging.
The lessons generally build upon one another. I have included the topics of atmospheric optics, thunderstorms, and tornadoes because they deal with observable phenomena for which many students are excited to learn physical explanations, and they typically rank among the most enjoyable lessons in the course. If you have specific concerns about budgeting your time, please address them to me either by e-mail, phone, or when you submit your assignment. You may also consult the Student Handbook for more information on budgeting your time. At the end of each lesson, you will complete a set of self-graded exercises and a written assignment.