A&O SCI 101
Fundamentals of Atmospheric Dynamics and Thermodynamics
Description: Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Requisites: Mathematics 3B or 31B, Physics 1B or 6B. Recommended: course 3. Introduction to atmospheric environment, with emphasis on thermodynamics, dynamics, and structure of atmosphere. Laws of thermodynamics; work, heat, and cyclic processes. Adiabatic processes, moisture, and atmospheric stability. Hydrostatic balance. Fundamental equations of motion, with applications to atmospheric flow. Circulation and vorticity. Letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Overall good professor. He's a fast lecturer so make sure to write quickly. Although he speaks fast, he is constantly asking "does it make sense?" so if you aren't keeping up, make sure to let him know and he will repeat it. Not many people raised their hand to clarify things, but I think everyone kind of just went with his teaching style. Homework sets are relatively easy. They usually refer back to the material presented in lecture so just go back to your notes. Midterm wasn't too hard either. He gives you a sample midterm and questions were similar to homework questions, just a little more challenging. As long as you understand the material, it's not hard. Final was not too bad either. Fovell makes the topic as interesting as possible, which isn't the easy task considering it's thermodynamics. He's a great professor and really cares about his students actually learning the material. Never went to office hours, but it wouldn't hurt.
Overall good professor. He's a fast lecturer so make sure to write quickly. Although he speaks fast, he is constantly asking "does it make sense?" so if you aren't keeping up, make sure to let him know and he will repeat it. Not many people raised their hand to clarify things, but I think everyone kind of just went with his teaching style. Homework sets are relatively easy. They usually refer back to the material presented in lecture so just go back to your notes. Midterm wasn't too hard either. He gives you a sample midterm and questions were similar to homework questions, just a little more challenging. As long as you understand the material, it's not hard. Final was not too bad either. Fovell makes the topic as interesting as possible, which isn't the easy task considering it's thermodynamics. He's a great professor and really cares about his students actually learning the material. Never went to office hours, but it wouldn't hurt.
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - If I could take this class for an entire year I absolutely would. Professor Kok was one of the kindest professors (and people) I've ever met and truly cared about your learning and well-being. Most lectures had a quiz at the beginning based on the reading, but they weren't too difficult (if you did and understood the reading you would get full credit - and they really helped you understand lecture topics). Lectures were very helpful and engaging, with in class exercises and a lot of peer-collaboration to get us working together. The exams were more difficult than the homework (we had a week for each assignment and could work on them at Homework Parties and in discussion), but I thought they were both very fair and as long as you study and attend class you can do well! There are so many opportunities to work with other students, LAs, TAs (Annie was phenomenal), and the professor during lecture, homework parties (every Friday to get help on that week's homework), discussion, office hours, and review sessions. Professor Kok himself was also a great teacher, as he explained everything in depth, had some great analogies and exercises, and made sure to always address all questions we had (he would even research your question and get back to you if he didn't have an answer on the spot, which was very much appreciated). This class was a bit of work (I completely forgot all basic calculus) and I definitely had to study quite a bit for exams, but I have never loved a course content or class environment more than this one. Absolutely recommend this class to anyone who can take it, especially with Professor Kok (and Annie if she's your TA)!!
Fall 2024 - If I could take this class for an entire year I absolutely would. Professor Kok was one of the kindest professors (and people) I've ever met and truly cared about your learning and well-being. Most lectures had a quiz at the beginning based on the reading, but they weren't too difficult (if you did and understood the reading you would get full credit - and they really helped you understand lecture topics). Lectures were very helpful and engaging, with in class exercises and a lot of peer-collaboration to get us working together. The exams were more difficult than the homework (we had a week for each assignment and could work on them at Homework Parties and in discussion), but I thought they were both very fair and as long as you study and attend class you can do well! There are so many opportunities to work with other students, LAs, TAs (Annie was phenomenal), and the professor during lecture, homework parties (every Friday to get help on that week's homework), discussion, office hours, and review sessions. Professor Kok himself was also a great teacher, as he explained everything in depth, had some great analogies and exercises, and made sure to always address all questions we had (he would even research your question and get back to you if he didn't have an answer on the spot, which was very much appreciated). This class was a bit of work (I completely forgot all basic calculus) and I definitely had to study quite a bit for exams, but I have never loved a course content or class environment more than this one. Absolutely recommend this class to anyone who can take it, especially with Professor Kok (and Annie if she's your TA)!!
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