GE 132 - Physical Geography

2. Demonstrate comprehension of the nature of the hydrosphere, especially with regard to water resources, by the completion of laboratory exercises devoted to water budget analysis.

3. Demonstrate understanding of the character of biomes across the earth with regard to climate and human impact, by completion of laboratory exercises devoted to the analysis of terrestrial ecosystems.

4. Demonstrate comprehension of the nature of soils, with special emphasis on the United States, which will be determined by the student’s ability to map major soil orders.

5. Demonstrate understanding of the character of landforms in various environments by completing laboratory exercises devoted to geomorphic processes and topographic map interpretation, among other things.

6. Demonstrate understanding of the interconnections between and among the elements of physical geography that result in the land-surface system in which we live by engaging in dialogue and successfully completing written assignments and examinations.

7. Adapt and evaluate processes to find solutions to multistep or multi component problems with special reference to water resources, natural hazards, and global climate change.

8. Apply general science or mathematics principles to explain atmospheric lifting and precipitation and engage in the analysis of water budgets and classification of climates.(GELO 3)

9. Discern relevant and irrelevant information pertaining to the natural environment when seeking solutions to environmental problems.

10. Use calculation and measurement to solve problems associated with meteorological and climatological phenomena, and use estimation to evaluate if the outcome associated with individual atmospheric, hydrologic, biotic, edaphic, and/or geomorphic conditions is reasonable. (GELO 7)

11. Create a written summary of the main ideas extracted from information gathered.

12. Clearly and completely state and describe a problem/issue.
Course Outline:
I.  Physical Geography: An Introduction

A.    Introduction to the Earth
B.    Portraying the Earth

II.  Climate and the Hydrosphere

A.    Introduction to the Atmosphere
B.    Insolation and Temperature
C.    Atmospheric Pressure and Wind
D.    Atmospheric Moisture
E.    Transient Atmospheric Flows and Disturbances
F.    Climatic Zones and Types
G.    The Hydrosphere

III.  Vegetation and Soils

A.    Cycles and Patterns in the Biosphere
B.    Terrestrial Flora and Fauna
C.    Soils

IV.  Landforms

A.    Introduction to Landforms
B.    Internal Processes
C.    Weathering and Mass Wasting
D.    Fluvial Processes
E.    Karst Topography
F.    Arid Lands Topography
G.    Glaciation
H.    Coastal Geomorphology

Lectures or Films: 30-40%

Asynchronous and/or Synchronous Discussion: 60-70%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None