12/4/2024 12:30:17 AM	GEOG 4 Course Outline as of Fall 2015	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  GEOG 4	Title:  PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Full Title:  Physical Geography
Last Reviewed:3/8/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		5 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Physical Geography is an introduction to the study of the Earth and the processes that form and shape its physical features and landforms. Topics include Earth dimensions and motions, map reading and map use, earth-sun relationships, weather and climate, and tectonic and surface processes. Emphasis is placed on recognizing, describing, and interpreting the spatial distribution of Earth features and the processes that shape these features. May include a field trip.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Physical Geography is an introduction to the study of the Earth and the processes that form and shape its physical features and landforms. Topics include Earth dimensions and motions, map reading and map use, earth-sun relationships, weather and climate, and tectonic and surface processes. Emphasis is placed on recognizing, describing, and interpreting the spatial distribution of Earth features and the processes that shape these features. May include a field trip.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	C	Natural Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B1	Physical Science		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	5A	Physical Sciences		Fall 1981
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: GEOG 110	Introduction to Physical Geography	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): GEOG4

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

 

1.    Define the nature of geography as a science.

2.    Identify and describe fundamental geographical tools.    

3.    Find and describe locations on maps.

4.    Identify and evaluate map features.  

5.    Draw and interpret isolines.

6.    Explain Earth seasonality, variation in day lengths and time zones.

7.    Describe the mechanisms of heat transfer and apply this knowledge to the Earth's radiation budget, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, and climate change.

8.    Define and describe the major components of climate and weather; recognize and interpret their global distribution.  

9.    Analyze climates using climate classification models.

10.  Analyze the origin, structure, and spatial distribution of the Earth's features and processes.

Topics and Scope

Topics will include, but are not limited to:  

 

I.   Introduction to science, the scientific method and geography as a science

II.  Introduction to Earth

     A.  Environmental spheres

     B.  Geographic grid

     C.  Earth movements

     D.  Seasons and seasonality

     E.  Time

III. Geographic techniques and tools

     A. Maps and mapmaking

         1. Types

         2. Scale

         3. Projections

         4. Isolines

     B.  Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

      C.  Other

IV.  Atmosphere

     A. Composition

     B. Vertical structure

V.  Global energy systems

     A.  Electromagnetic spectrum

     B.  Mechanisms of heat transfer

     C.  Insolation

     D.  Energy budget

VI. Surface temperatures

     A.  Controlling factors

     B.  Global and seasonal patterns

VII. Atmospheric pressure

     A. Pressure, density, and temperature

     B. Mapping pressure

     C. Cyclones and anticyclones

      D. Global and seasonal patterns

VIII. Wind

      A. Direction

       B. Speed

      C. Global, seasonal and local patterns

IX. Water and atmospheric moisture

     A. Properties

      B. Hydrologic cycle

     C. Humidity

     D. Adiabatic processes

     E. Clouds and cloud formation

     F. Fog and fog formation

     G. Stability

     H. Precipitation formation

      I. Global precipitation patterns

X. Weather

     A. Air masses

      B. Midlatitude

     C. Tropical and Severe

XI. Climate

     A. Classification

     B. Global distribution

     C. Global climate change

XII. Earth processes and physical features

     A. Earth structure

     B. Rock cycle

     C. Plate tectonic theory

     D. Folding and faulting

     E. Volcanism

XIII. Weathering, mass wasting and erosion

XIV. Geomorphology (include at least 2 of the 5)

      A. Fluvial

      B. Coastal

     C. Arid and aeolian

     D. Glacial

      E. Karst

 

Optional topics may include

XV. Biosphere

      A. Biogeochemical cycles

      B. Biomes

           1. Controlling factors

            2. Global Distribution

XVI.  Soils

        A. Formation and factors

       B. Characteristics and properties

       C. Profiles and classification

       D. Global distribution

Assignments:

1.     Textbook and other readings (10-20 pages per class meeting)

2.     Homework assignments (written and problem solving) (5-15)

3.     In-class activities (0-18)

4.     Exams (3-6)

5.     Map and/or other quizzes (0-18)

6.     Field trip(s) (0-2)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 10%
Homework assignments
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 40%
Homework assignments, in-class activities
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 50 - 80%
Objective examinations (multiple choice, true false, matching, completion, problem solving, short answer and/or essay questions), quizzes (map or other)
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Participation in class activities. Field trip attendance and participation (if applicable).

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

McKnight's Physical Geography: A Landscape, 11th edition.  Hess, Darrel and Dennis G Tasa, Illustrator.  Prentice Hall: 2014.

Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, 9th edition.  Christopherson, Robert W. Prentice Hall:  2014.

Elemental Geosystems, 7th edition.  Christopherson, Robert W., Prentice Hall: 2013.

Introducing Physical Geography, 6th edition.  Strahler, Alan.  John Wiley & Sons:  2013.

Discovering Physical Geography, 3rd edition.  Arbogast, Alan F.  John Wiley & Sons: 2014.

Living Physical Geography, 1st edition.  Gervais, Bruce.  W.H. Freeman & Co.:  2015.

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