GEOG 101 - Physical Geography
Introduction to Earth Systems Science

Contact Information and Class Information:

Description:

Welcome to Physical Geography 101, a survey of the earth's physical features and the processes that shape them, focusing on understanding the earth and our environment as a single interconnected system driven by solar energy and deep-earth processes. We will define and describe the four basic “spheres” that make up the earth environment (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere), their relationships and interconnections, and our human relationship with them.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The intended outcomes for the Physical Geography course are defined by the following:

1. Understand the earth-sun relationship and its impact on the earth's natural and human systems.

2. The ability to analyze the controls, distribution, and classification of global weather and climate patterns.

3. Understand how landforms are created and shaped by tectonic and geomorphological processes.

Course Goals:

Within the the scope of the above outcomes, our general goals in this course are to encourage and enable you, the student, to:

1. Understand the core earth processes and the scales at which they operate.

2. Understand that the earth constitutes a single interconnected system, driven by solar energy.

3. Understand that change is a natural attribute in a system in which the major inputs vary.

4. Understand that some changes produced by humans may upset the balance of the entire earth system.

5. Understand the application of spatial analysis and digital data sources to current problems in geography.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, you should be able to demonstrate the ability to do the following:

1. Define the role of geography as an academic discipline and identify potential career opportunities.

2. Identify and list the consequences of the changing relationship between the human race and the earth environment.

3. Describe the concept of our earth environment as a system, and describe the pattern of energy flow that drives it.

4. Describe and evaluate the cyclical nature of water and heat energy in the atmosphere.

5. Identify and describe the origin of the basic earth materials and the tectonic and volcanic forces that affect them.

6. Describe the processes whereby energy in the environment works to break down earth materials, and subsequently erodes, transports, and deposits those materials.

7. Evaluate our human impact on the earth environment, and identify some of the possible alternatives for avoiding calamity.

8. Analyze and interpret basic geographic data via analysis of maps, charts, and graphs.

Supplies:

Lecture:

You are responsible for obtaining any material, lecture notes, and announcements you may miss. This includes announcements you miss if you come late to class. You should ask me for copies of any handouts you miss. For extra lecture notes, don't ask me - ask your fellow classmates for a copy of their notes. It's always best to get copies from at least two different classmates. Other than the handouts, my "lecture notes" are either outlines or bullet lists, and are not very helpful for students. Where possible, the lectures will be supplemented by group activities and projects.

Attendance:

If necessary, withdrawal from class prior to the appropriate deadline is your responsibility. Failure to withdraw or drop by the dates listed in the Schedule of Classes will result in a grade appropriate to the amount and quality of work submitted. If you decide you don't need to be in this class, then you should make sure you turn in the relevant paperwork to either drop or withdraw from the class. Anyone on the official roster at the end of the semester must receive a grade.

Your level of attendance contributes significantly to your overall level of success in this course. The lack of office hours further underscores the importance of attending lectures. One or two absences for illness or an emergency are acceptable; please see me or call the school counselor if you are experiencing problems that cause you to miss more than two classes in a row. Attendance is taken in order to comply with Allan Hancock's and the state's requirements. For those with borderline grades, good attendance will be enough to push them up to the higher grade, while poor attendance will have the opposite effect. A detailed outline for the rest of the semester will be available soon, as well as scores and other interesting facts, on my web site.

Office Hours:

In addition to email, I am available for virtual office hours (on IRC; see below) most evenings and weekends, and by prior arrangement. If necessary, you may call me at the above numbers if you need assistance. When calling me at home after normal working hours, please call before 10:00 p.m. during the week, and 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on weekends. When using the mobile number, I may not be immediately available during the day, so just leave a voice-mail. Since I don't have a physical office on campus, I can be available by arrangement shortly before class time. However, as mentioned above, I am available for virtual office hours on irc.freenode.net (channel #geozone) most evenings and weekends, as well as by prior arrangement. This is the most immediate and flexible means of communication. If you are unfamiliar with IRC, now is your chance to learn :) Please visit this link.

Homework Assignments:

The exact schedule for all class assignments will be published in the class calendar shortly after the start of the semester. There will be several individual homework assignments throughout the semester, and some exercises from the web site accompanying the text may be allowed as make-up points. You will also have one or two other projects, e.g., a book report and/or presentation. In general, individual homework assignments are to be turned in two weeks following the date the assignment is handed out. Each individual homework is worth about 50 points, while a major project assignment may be about the same as a mid-term exam (approx. 200 points). Late homework is not accepted (without a good reason). Homework must be neat, legible, and follow an orderly solution progression. All work must be shown, not just the answers.

Exams and Grades:

There will be at least two midterm exams, and one final exam. Exams are based on the material from the lectures, text, and assignments. There will be no makeup exams given, except in very specific cases (e.g., TDY). The exam dates will be published well in advance; it is your responsibility to meet your obligations.

It is vital to do your own work on the assignments in order to do well on the exams. Anyone suspected of not doing his or her own work risks receiving a zero on that assignment or exam. If you find you must get outside help, be sure you do the work and that you understand the assignment. Grading for exams, homework assignments, and the final grade will be as follows:

Final grades will be an approximately equal weighting of assignments and exams.

http://www.gentoogeek.org/geography