Physical Geography 101   updated12/05/09

Instructor:  Cassie Strickland     Email:  cstrickland@columbiabasin.edu

 

Required text:  Physical Geography, Strahler & Strahler (click to go to book website)

Credit hours:  5

Course Description:

Physical geography consists of describing and explaining the natural features of the earth.  One of the earth sciences, physical geography brings together elements of the natural sciences, such as climatology, hydrology, oceanography, geology, geomorphology, biology, and ecology, to understand the processes responsible for the physical patterns of climate, water, soils, vegetation, and landforms fond over the earth.

 

 

FALL 2009 Schedule:  Note: This schedule is tentative, and is updated as we cover material.

Text Box: Week of the: Tentative Topic Schedule Chapter September 21st Syllabus Review Introduction to Physical Geography Maps & Globes, Time Zones In addition, Chapter 8- the biogeographic process- is incorporated throughout these lectures from week one through the end of the course. 1 2 (23-31; 45-49) 28th Remote Sensing & GIS Sept 30th & Oct 1-special homework tba 2 (32-38) & pgs. 68, 77, 302, 336, 414, 464 October 5th Solar Radiation & Earth-Sun Relationships 2 (38-43) 12th Test 1: Monday Finish Sun-Earth Relationships (seasons) Introduction to the atmosphere: layers and temperature 3 19th Components of Atmosphere, continued: Air Pressure & Winds 4, 5 26th Atmospheric Water: Humidity and Clouds 5, 6 November 2nd Climate Zones (not covered Fall 2009) Climate Change 7 and: Pgs. 108-116, 288-291, & Pg. 39 9th Test 2: Monday Study Sheet click here Hydrosphere- Groundwater Hydrosphere- Surface Water Hydrosphere- Oceans No class the 11th- Veteran’s Day 15, 16, 18 16th Finish Hydrosphere 23rd Lithosphere: The physical Earth & geomorphology 11, 12 30th Igneous & Metamorphic terrains 13 December 7th Finals week: no regular classes Finals, Wednesday, December 9th Section 1 (5146) 10:20 to 12:20 Section 2 (5147) 3:00 to 5:00 Study Sheet: Click here

 

Extra Credit tba

Please Note:  I NEVER accept extra credit late, or incomplete.

Homework-5 @ 10 points each. Take-home or done during class time, like ‘miniature’ laboratories.  Project material will compliment lecture, providing hands-on opportunities to learn concepts. Homework may at times be accepted late, but will always be assessed a 10% per day late penalty.

                                             

Tests: 3 @ 100 points each.  Quizzes are multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and essay; tests are not comprehensive. Unexcused absences will be given a grade of zero for a missed test.

Map Assignments: 12 @ 2 points each. Each week you will be assigned a map hunt online.  Late map assignments will be assessed a 10% late grade per day late.  If you will be absent, you can turn in your map early or email it to me.

 

Sources:  The material contained on this website has either been created by myself or borrowed from a variety of educational, governmental and private sources.  For material not originally my own, thank you for allowing me to use this information. Earth science instructors, please feel free to use any of my original material for educational purposes.

                                                             

Columbia Basin College Geology & Geography Department