Geography 110Physical Geography

Section 3968 & 3970

Tuesday 6:00-8:50 PM

Professor Lisa Schmidt

What is Geography?

The scientific study of the Earth's surface and its various climates, countries, peoples, and natural resources.

Fields of Geography

Human or Cultural GeographyDeals with social, economic, and behavioral

processes Physical Geography

Examines the natural processes occurring at Earth’s surface that provide the physical setting for human activities

Branches of Physical Geography

Biogeography Climatology Coastal Geography Environmental Geography Geomorphology Glaciology Hydrology Oceanography Paleogeography

Branches of Human Geography

Cultural Geography Developmental Geography Economic Geography Medical Geography Historical Geography Political Geography Population Geography Demography Transportation Geography Urban Geography

Tools Geographers Use

Maps Paper representations of space showing point, line, or area data

Or more simply put, locations, connections, and regions Remote Sensing

Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of earth’s surface GIS or Geographic Information Systems

Powerful computer mapmaking software connected to data bases Mathematical Modeling and Statistics

Used to understand natural and human phenomenon

What we will be studying…

Four great physical realms or spheres of Earth Atmosphere

The gaseous layer that surrounds the earth

Lithosphere The outermost solid layer

of the Earth Hydrosphere

The liquid realm of the Earth

Biosphere Encompasses all living

organisms of the Earth

Course Description

The goal of this course is to introduce students to basic concepts in physical geography…Since it is an introductory course, it is

assumed students have little or no background in physical geography.

Course Description

Emphasis is on the processes driving physical systems on the Earth, interactions between physical systems, and human interaction with the physical environment.

What we will be studying

The atmosphere Atmospheric processes Weather and Climate The Biosphere Soil Vegetation Hydrosphere Tectonic Processes Volcanic Processes

Course Objectives

You will gain an understanding of the geographic perspective within natural and environmental sciences, including place, space, map scale, map projection, spatial connection, and spatial diffusion.

You will better understand how to use maps, in particular, the geographic distribution of natural phenomena.

You will learn about the four environmental spheres, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, and how they interact across the surface of the Earth. In particular, you will learn the role of humankind within the environment.

Textbooks Required

Physical Geography California Edition 2nd Ed.

McKnight and Hess ISBN-13: 978-

0558585976 Required

Goode’s World Atlas ISBN 0-528-65000-3

Or any recent World Atlas that contains physical maps

Recommended The Geography Coloring

Book Wynn Kapit 978-0131014725

Required Materials

Internet Access Pencils Pens Paper

Recommended Materials

Colored Pens or PencilsFor map studies

CourseSchedule

Grading Scale

4 Exams 100 points each = 400 points

14 Chapter Quizzes 10 points each = 140 points

5 Map Quizzes 25 points each = 125 points

1 Presentation = 100 points 100 Random Participation

Points Total Points Possible = 865

100-90% 865-778 A 89-80% 777-692 B 79-70% 691-605 C 69-60% 604-519 D 59-0% 518-0 F

Note: You must earn at least 60% to pass this class. You may be dropped for falling below 60%. Please refer to your syllabus.

Chapter Quizzes There will be a quiz for each

chapter in the textbook. Quizzes will be posted on

Blackboard after each lecture. Quizzes will be due one week

after they are posted by 5:30 PM. There will be 14 quizzes.

The format will be multiple choice, true/false, and or matching.

Quiz questions may be used on exams. You will want to take notes from

your quizzes and study them.

Exams

There will be four exams. Exams will be given using Blackboard. The format will be multiple choice, true and

false, and/or matching. Each exam will be worth 100 points. The final exam will be cumulative. A study guide will be available for each exam.

Map Quizzes We will study the physical features of Earth. You MUST bring your atlas to class on map

study nights. Colored pens or pencils will be helpful. You will have five map quizzes.

North America 25 points South America 25 points Europe 25 points Asia 25 points Africa 25 points

Total 125 points

Presentation

You are required to give a presentation for this Physical Geography course.

You will be able to choose from a list of topics. Presentations will be no less than five minutes

but no more than ten minutes long. Presentations MAY be done in groups WITH

INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL. See the class web site for presentation details:

http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/

Extra Credit Some extra credit may be assigned

throughout the semester. It will be announced in class and you must

be present in order to take advantage of it.

Late Work and Exams

Late work will not be accepted.Assignments are due on their stated due

dates. No make-up exams or quizzes.

Do NOT ask to have quizzes or exams reopened after their due dates.

Absences and Tardiness

I reserve the right to drop students who miss class twice.

If you have to miss class, you should stay in contact with me if you do not want to be dropped.

You may be dropped for excessive tardiness. This means being more than five minutes late, more

than three times. If you are going to be late, come in quietly and

take a seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture.

E-mailing Assignments/My Mailbox Assignments will NOT be accepted by e-

mail. If you cannot make it to class, take your

assignment to my mailbox which is located in the Chemistry Building, C-121.

Last Day to Turn in Work

The last day that extra credit work or late work (if it has been approved), will be accepted is December 6th.

No exceptions will be made.

Dropping

If you decide to drop, you must do it formally.

If you stop coming to class, I have no way of knowing if you want to drop or receive and F. I will give F’s, it is your responsibility to drop.

Graded Work

It is your responsibility to pick up graded work.

You should keep all of your graded work until you receive your final grade. Not only for this class but all of your classes!

All graded work will be held for 30 days after the end of the semester then discarded.

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for this class.You will find PowerPoint lectures, study

guides, blank maps, research assignments, and extra credit assignments, quizzes, and grades on blackboard.

http://blackboard.valleycollege.edu If you have questions about blackboard, stay after

class, I am here to help.

Academic Honesty

Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will

be reported to the deans office. Please refer to San Bernardino Valley

College’s policy on academic honesty.

Cell Phones and Texting Use of cell phones for talking or texting

during class is inappropriate. You may be asked to leave the

classroom if you are talking or texting on your phone during lecture.

Phones should be set to silent mode when in class.

Use of a cell phone for texting or talking during a quiz or exam is absolutely forbidden. If you are caught using your phone during a

quiz or exam, you will receive a grade of 0 points for that quiz or exam.

Disabilities

If you need accommodations for this course, please see me after class.

If you have or think you may have a disability that might affect your performance in this course, please contact the office of Disabled Students Programs and Services at (909) 384-4443.

Contact Information

The best way to reach me is by e-mail. My e-mail address is:

Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com My mailbox is located the Chemistry

building, room 121. My voice mail is (909) 384-5221

I do not check my voice mail as often as my e-mail.