This course introduces the student to an area of study that brings together and interrelates the important elements of the physical environment of humans. Students will explore the Earth's physical systems with an emphasis on weather and climate, water, ecosystems, geologic processes and landform development.

The student is required to take four (4) objective-type (multiple-choice) tests. In addition, there will be a homework assignment at the end of each chapter, an essay/research project and an optional student presentation. The final grade will be based on the student’s average of the four tests, the essay/reseach project and attendance scores. The test scores will form 75%,  the essay/research project 15% and attendance scores 10% of the student’s final grade. The homework assignment will be worth 15 points which will be added to the student's score on each test.The optional student presentation is worth 7 points and is added to the student’s final grade. The homework assgnment and optional student presentation are extra credit opportunities that can be used to bring up the student’s scores.

Textbook: McKnight’s Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation

13th Edition, 2022

Authors:    Darrel Hess, Redina Finch, Illustrated by Dennis Tasa

Chapter 1:  Introduction to Earth                                     Jan 19 & 24 

Chapter 2:  Portraying Earth                                           Jan 26 & 31

Chapter 3:  Introduction to the Atmosphere                   Jan 31 & Feb 2

Chapter 4:  Isolation and Temperature                           Feb 7  &  9

Test 1                                                                             Feb 14

Chapter 5:  Atmospheric Pressure and Wind                Feb 16 & 21

Chapter 6:  Atmospheric Moisture                                Feb 23 & 28

Chapter 7:  Atmospheric Disturbances                        Mar 2 & Mar 7

Test 2                                                                           Mar 9

Chapter 8:  Climate and Climate Change                   Mar 21 & 23

Chapter 9:  The Hydrosphere                                     Mar 28 & 30

Essay/Research Paper due                                        Mar 30

Chapter 10:  Cycles and Paterns in the Bioshere       Apr 4 & 6

Test 3                                                                          Apr 11

Chapter 11: Terrestrial Flora and Fauna                    Apr 13 & 18

Chapter 13  Introduction to Landform Study             Apr 20 & 25

Chapter 14: The Internal Processes                         Apr 27 & May 2

Optional Presentation                                               May 4

Test 4                                                                       May 9

Final Grades                                                            May 11

Introduction to Physical Geography GEOG 1301 is designed to:

Provide students with a basic knowledge of the earth’s environment and its components and the interrelations among the various environmental elements, provide a general education that assists students to think critically, and to apply the basic knowledge, skill and principles of physical geography to everyday life and their careers, and prepare students for transfer and success in a baccalaureate degree granting institution.

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe what Geography and Physical Geography are.

Understand the physical principles and processes governing the circulation and characteristics of the atmosphere and climates on Earth.

Understand the principles of geomorphology and the processes that shape the landscape.

Understand the distribution and dynamics of organisms and their environments.

Understand the directional and locational systems employed on the surface of the Earth and to use and analyze maps.