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This document outlines the course syllabus for a physical geography course. The course objectives are to introduce students to the basic principles, patterns, and terminology of the physical environment. Topics covered include the Earth's physical systems, climate and weather, geology, ecosystems, and human-environment interactions. Grades will be based on exams and map quizzes. There will be three midterms, four map quizzes, and a comprehensive final exam. The instructor's contact information and a schedule of lectures and exams are also provided.
This document outlines the course syllabus for a physical geography course. The course objectives are to introduce students to the basic principles, patterns, and terminology of the physical environment. Topics covered include the Earth's physical systems, climate and weather, geology, ecosystems, and human-environment interactions. Grades will be based on exams and map quizzes. There will be three midterms, four map quizzes, and a comprehensive final exam. The instructor's contact information and a schedule of lectures and exams are also provided.
This document outlines the course syllabus for a physical geography course. The course objectives are to introduce students to the basic principles, patterns, and terminology of the physical environment. Topics covered include the Earth's physical systems, climate and weather, geology, ecosystems, and human-environment interactions. Grades will be based on exams and map quizzes. There will be three midterms, four map quizzes, and a comprehensive final exam. The instructor's contact information and a schedule of lectures and exams are also provided.
Geography 101 [#14814] Spring 2007 Room HT140 TTH 12:30-1:45
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course introduces the basic principles, patterns and terminology that explains and describes our physical environment. Topics include: foundations of physical geography and concepts of science; the earth's physical systems and the basic energy and material flows by which they operate; climate and weather; geological forces that alter the landscape; ecosystems and biogeography; and human interaction with the physical environment. Additional readings, media and materials may be introduced.
TEXTS: REQUIRED: Introducing Physical Geography, 4th edition, by Alan Strahler and Arthur Strahler, J ohn Wiley & Sons, 2006. OPTIONAL: Goode's World Atlas, 20 th edition, J ohn C. Hudson and Edward B. Espenshade, J r., eds., Rand McNally, 1999.
NOTE: The Atlas is optional. You may use any reasonably recent atlas (including the ones in the library). You may also use an online atlas. Possible online choices include: Atlapedia Online: http://www.atlapedia.com CIA Reference Maps: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/docs/refmaps.html Graphic Map's World Atlas: http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/world.htm HRW World Atlas: http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/world.htm National Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/index.html UN Cartographic Section: http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/english/htmain.htm World Press Review: http://www.worldpress.org/map.cfm World Sites Atlas: http://www.sitesatlas.com/Maps/index.htm There is a CD included with the textbook. While the CD has some very interesting materials, it does require that you have and use a computer which is not a prerequisite for this course. Therefore, although you may choose to use the CD as a study aid, it is not required.
GRADING: Grading will be based on exams (85%) and map quizzes (15%). Exams: There will be three mid-term exams and a final exam. Exams will consist of objective questions (true-false, multiple choice, short answer, matching, etc.). Each mid-term will be worth 20% of your grade, and will have at least 40 questions. The final will be worth 25% of your grade, and will have at least 50 questions. The final will be comprehensive. Half of the test questions on the final will come from the previous exams. Map Quizzes: There will be a total of four map quizzes. You will receive maps of each region a week before the quiz. You will familiarize yourself with the physical and cultural features indicated on the maps. Each quiz will be worth 5% of your grade (we drop your lowest quiz). Scantrons: You will need a Scantron form 882-ES (green any version) for each exam and each quiz.
NO NON-ESSENTIAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PERMITTED DURING EXAMS OR QUIZZES
Late Exams: I HATE make-up exams. Please try to contact me if you will not be able to take a test or quiz at its scheduled time. Make-up exams WILL BE IN ESSAY FORM. Late make-up exams (more than a week past the scheduled date without a tremendous excuse) will be reduced one grade, and one additional grade for every week thereafter. Late Quizzes: You MAY NOT make up a map quiz more then one week after its scheduled date! (But we do drop ONE quiz).
NOTE: We go over each test together and discuss the answers. If you have missed a test DO NOT sit through ANY of this discussion! Make arrangements to take the make-up test AND THEN LEAVE.
IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN A TEST, AND THEN SIT THROUGH ANY OF THE CLASS DISCUSSION OF THAT TEST, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN " F" ON THAT TEST! Instructor: Dr. Alan Osborn Geography Department: (619) 594-5437 Office: SH249 Office Hours: MTuW 11:00-12:00, Phone: 619-594-3896 (or by appointment) E-mail: arosborn@mail.sdsu.edu Course Website: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~arosborn/ Course Syllabus
Grades will be as follows: A (91.0%-100.0%) A- (89.0%-90.9%) B+(87.0%-88.9%) B (81.0%-86.9%) B- (79.0-80.9%) C+(77.0%-78.9%) C (67.0%-76.9%) C- (64.5%-66.9%) D (50.0%-64.4%) F (0.0%-49.9%) Remember: I dont give grades, you earn grades!
EXTRA CREDIT? NO! NEVER! NOT A CHANCE! FORGET IT! DONT ASK!
Please try to read assignments before each lecture. If you have problems or questions about the material come and see me during my office hours (or make an appointment). No activity which disrupts the learning environment can be tolerated. All students are expected to conform to University standards of ethics.
No act or activity which disrupts the learning environment can be tolerated. All students are expected to conform to University standards of ethics and integrity. Under the University Academic Dishonesty Policy suspected cheating of any kind MUST be reported, and students WILL BE DISCIPLINED. CHEATING WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC F.
LECTURE & TEST SCHEDULE (this may change during the semester) WEEK LECTURE TOPICS CHAPTER READING 1 (1/18) Introduction; Planet Earth: Basic concepts, science, geography. Prologue, 1 3-49 2 (1/23-1/25) Energy Flows: Radiation, insolation, global energy balance. 2 51-85 3 (1/30-2/1) Atmospheric Structure: Temperature & structure, global warming 3 87-117 FIRST EXAM (weeks 1-3): Tuesday, February 6 th << 4 (2/8) Moisture & Precipitation: Humidity, adiabatic process, clouds. 4 119-149 5 (2/13-2/15) Air Circulation: Pressure, global winds, ocean currents. 5 151-183 FIRST MAP QUIZ Thursday, February 15 th
6 (2/20-2/22) Weather Systems: Air masses, cyclonic systems, storm hazards. 6 185-211 7 (2/27-3/1) Global Climates: Characteristics of 13 different climates 7 213-277 SECOND EXAM (weeks 4-7): Tuesday, March 6 th << 8 (3/8) Biogeography: Ecosystems, ecology, natural vegetation, biomes. 8 & 9 279-361 9 (3/13-3/15) The Solid Earth: Rocks & minerals. 11 397-419 SECOND MAP QUIZ Thursday, March 15 th
10 (3/20-3/22) Lithosphere & Plate Tectonics: Earth structure, geologic time 12 421-449 No classes Spring Break & Cesar Chavez Holliday 3/26-3/30 12 (4/3-4/5) Volcanic & Tectonic Landforms: Volcanoes, earthquakes, etc. 13 451-479 THIRD EXAM (weeks 8-12): Tuesday, April 10 th << 13 (4/12) Weathering & Mass Wasting: Physical & chemical, landslides. 14 481-509 14 (4/17-4/19) Water on the Land: Ground & surface water, streams & lakes 15 511-544 THIRD MAP QUIZ Thursday, April 19 th
17 (5/8) Coastal, Wind & Glacial Landforms: Waves, wind, and ice 18 & 19 597-653 Tuesday, May 8 th , is the last official day of classes >> FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY, MAY 15 TH , 1:00-3:00 PM <<
(REMEMBER: The final exam is comprehensive and covers the entire course. Roughly half of the questions on the final will come from the first, second and third mid-terms, half will be based on the last four weeks of readings and lectures).