Prerequisites: Jr.  Standing; Ability to use Excel Spreadsheet; Word Processor operation; GPHY 111 Physical Geography;  STAT 216 or 332; Physics 205 or 211 (Newtonian Physics); Ability to ski from top of Bridger Lift or consent of instructor. 

Required Books:

McClung, D., and Schaerer, P., 1993, The avalanche handbook. The Mountaineers, Seattle, 271p.

Greene, E., Atkins, D., Birkeland, K., Elder, K.,Landry, C., Lazar, B., McCammon, I., Moore, M., Sharaf, D., Sterbenz, C., Tremper, B., Williams, K., 2009, Snow, Weather, and Valanches: Observational Guidelines for Avlanche programs in the United States (2nd Edition): American  Avalanche Association, Pagosa Springs CO, 150 p.  (Note:  The second edition is not yet available on line.  You are expected to have a copy of the second edtion.  The second edition has new material in it.)

Also of Interest:

Greene, E., Birkeland, K., Elder, K., Johnson, G., Landry, C., McCammon, I., Moore, M., Sharaf, D., Sterbenz, C., Tremper, B., Williams, K., 2004, Snow, Weather, and Valanches: Observational Guidelines for Avlanche programs in the United States: American  Avalanche Association, Pagosa Springs CO, 150 p. 

Colbeck, S., Akitaya, E., Armstrong, R., Gubler, H., Lafeuille, J, Lied, K., McClung, D., Morris, E., (eds.), 1990, The international classification for seasonal snow on the ground: International Association of Scientific Hydrology, 23 p.  On the web.

Fierz, C., Armstrong, R.L., Durand, Y., Etchevers, P., Greene, E., McClung, D.M., Nishimura, K., Satyawali, P.K. and Sokratov, S.A. 2009. The InternationalClassification for Seasonal Snow on the Ground. IHP-VII Technical Documents in Hydrology N°83, IACS Contribution N°1, UNESCO-IHP, Paris. 

Avalanche Glossary

Utah Avalanche Center  FAQs   Tutorials

You will also be expected to read some papers on reserve in the library.
Journal Articles:  On reserve in Library.
Optional Book: Glover, T.J., 2000, Pocket Ref (second edition): Sequoia Publishing, Littleton, CO, 542 p.
Other Papers that may be of interest.
Student Equipment
Department Equipment 

Instructor's Backup Link to All Laboratories
 

Disagreements regarding grading: If, after looking at the key, you believe any written product has been miss scored, you may submit your test and a brief written defense of why you believe your work has been miss marked.

All papers for laboratory should be placed in the D2L turn in box (separate boxes for data and for paper and separate turn in areas for each laboratory). Your paper should have your name on it.

Late work will be assessed 10% per day late including weekends and holidays. Work more than 4 days late will not be graded.

Absences: The student is responsible for all lecture, lab, and reading material assigned. There is no simple mechanism to make up a laboratory. For illness there may be possible alternative exercises, but the potential for an alternative exercise depends on the week's activity and will need to be arranged with the instructor. If a make-up is required, the make-up should be done as soon as possible after the missed lab. No end-of semester saves. Arrangements for make-up must be made with the instructor. The student is responsible for making arrangements for laboratory make-up. Role will be taken in Laboratory each week to be certain who is going out of bounds with us. Students are directed to obtain class notes for missed material from another student in the class if a class is missed. Instructor's class notes will not be copied. To make up an absence from an examination, the student must verify illness, severe injury, or family emergency. The student should notify the instructor before the exam to indicate extraordinary circumstances have arisen. His phone has a voice-mail 406-994-6906; email is scuster@montana.edu.

Student Conduct: Documented academic dishonesty will result in failure on the piece of work. Repeat offenses will result in course failure.

Please Turn off your cell phone when you come to class.