Post on 16-May-2015
Geography 110Physical Geography
Reference # 4156Tuesday 6:00-8:50 PMProfessor Lisa Schmidt
Important Information
• Professor Lisa Schmidt• Ref. 4156• 6:00-8:50 PM Tuesdays**
Lisa.Schmidt@Chaffey.edu• PS 221• (909) 384-5221 Voice Mail• (760) 440-8977 Text or Voice Mail• http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com
Physical Geography
• Welcome to Geography 110, Physical Geography. In this class, you will learn the basic elements of geography. We will study climate, landforms, water, soils, native animal life and native vegetation. We will examine the inter-relationships between these things and we will look at their patterns of distribution throughout the world.
Textbooks Required
Physical Geography California Edition 3rd Ed.
McKnight and Hess ISBN-13: 978-
1269144377 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
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 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.
Course Description
Topics covered include the atmosphere, atmospheric processes, weather, geographic patterns of climate, the biosphere, soil and vegetation processes, the hydrosphere, water in all of its phases, the formation, modification, and distribution of various landforms, and the lithosphere.
Assignments
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/Project
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. Presentations will be scheduled. If you do not present
when you are scheduled, you will lose points. See the class web site for presentation details:
http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/
Random PointsRandom Points
At any time, I may give an assignment in At any time, I may give an assignment in class, like a quiz or an activity, or I might class, like a quiz or an activity, or I might give another attendance check. give another attendance check.
Points will be given for random activities Points will be given for random activities and if you are not present, you will not and if you are not present, you will not receive those points.receive those points.
Random activities will usually happen after Random activities will usually happen after the break, but sometimes may happen at the break, but sometimes may happen at the very beginning of class.the very beginning of class.
Being late or absent CAN hurt your grade.Being late or absent CAN hurt your grade.
Changes
The dates, topics, assignments, and due dates in the syllabus are tentative.
There may be changes, it is your responsibility to stay informed of changes.
Late Work and Exams
Late work ...will not be accepted. There will be no opening of quizzes or exams
after they close unless you have some documented proof of an emergency.
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.
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 May 13th.
No exceptions will be made.
Dropping
It is your responsibility to drop if you decide you want to.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for this class.You will need to log in to Blackboard to take
your quizzes and exams.http://blackboard.valleycollege.edu
If you have questions about blackboard, stay after class, I am here to help.
Contact Information
The best way to reach me is by e-mail. My e-mail address is:
Lisa.Schmidt@Chaffey.edu My mailbox is located the Chemistry building,
room 121. My voice mail is (909) 652-7090-this goes to my
e-mail. You may text me at (760) 440-8977 and you
can leave voice mail at this number too.
Note
Disruptive Behavior
You may be asked to leave class if you disrupt the learning process for others. This includes talking during lecture or during classmate's presentations. If you are asked to leave, and disciplinary action is taken, you may be suspended from the next class meeting.
CourseSchedule
For Your Success
For Your Success
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
What we will be studying
The atmosphere Atmospheric processes Weather and Climate The Biosphere Soil Vegetation Hydrosphere Tectonic Processes Volcanic Processes
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
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