SYLLABUS
FOR GEOG 272 (Physical Geography)
Instructor :
Dr.
Peter A. Kyem
Office:
Diloreto 208 001
Telephone :
832-2801,
E-mail:
Kyemp@mail.ccsu.edu
Class Time:
T & R = 11.00 - 12.15.
Description and
Objectives of the Course:
This course is designed to provide a view of physical
geography as a key discipline in understanding the Earth’s diverse
environments and how they are modified by global changes. The goal is to explain
the spatial dimension of the Earth’s dynamic systems, including its energy,
air, water, climate tectonics, landforms, rocks, soils, plants and animals. This
requires not only the understanding of the basic science of physical geography
but also the interrelationships between the diverse processes and the role
humans play in bringing about changes on the earth’s surface. A secondary goal
is to expose students to quantitative tools used by physical geographers and
other earth scientists to explore and model the phenomena they observe. The
course is targeted at students with some background preparation in science at
the high school level. We will explore supplementary textbook materials from the
Internet.
Student responsibilities:
· attend class;
· read book chapters and other assigned readings PRIOR to lecture;
· participate in class and discuss concepts;
· read your email - email will be used as a tool to communicate course info;
· check course web page for assignment info etc.
· complete assignments, labs, exams and quizzes on time;
· show enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge!!
Policy on late work/Make-up exams:
A set of Labs will be assigned for completion outside of class. Due dates for all assigned Labs will be specified and the grade on all late work will be reduced 20% for each day the assignment is late. Pre-authorization of time extensions will alter the grade reduction policy. At the discretion of the instructor, make-up exams will be written, oral or a combination of both. If you must miss an exam or quiz (quizzes may not always be announced ahead of time!!) please organize to take it prior to the scheduled time.
Labs: (Policy on late work/Make-up exams:
A set of Labs (From the Lab Manual used for this course) will be assigned for completion outside of class. Due dates for all assigned Labs will be specified and the grade on all late work will be reduced 20% for each day the assignment is late. Pre-authorization of time extensions will alter the grade reduction policy. At the discretion of the instructor, make-up exams will be written so if you must miss an exam or quiz (quizzes may not always be announced ahead of time!!) please organize to take it prior to the scheduled time.
COURSE
SCHEDULE:
Course
Schedule Disclaimer:
The
Course schedule will be followed as closely as possible. However, slow progress
in mastering the materials taught in class or a rapid progress in catching up to
the instructor might cause changes in the original schedule. Although topics
discussed on a given day may vary, the test dates will not. You must therefore
plan accordingly.
Required Text Books:
1. Introducing Physical Geography. By A. Strahler and A. Strahler 3nd edition.
2. Lab Manual: Introducing Physical Geography. By A. Strahler and A. Strahler (2004)
Day, DATE TOPICS READINGS
January 2004
Week 1 Jan 27, 29 Introducing Physical Geography Introduction
February 2004
Week 2 Feb 3, 5 The Earth as a Rotating Planet Chapt 1 p. 22-41
Week 3 Feb 10, 12 The Earth’s Global Energy Balance Chapt 2 p. 50-74
Week 4 Feb. 17, 19 Air Temperature Chapt 3 p. 86-118
Week 5 Feb. 24, 26 Air Temperature - Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect Chapt 3 p. 86-118
March 2004
Week 6 March 2, 4 Atmospheric Moisture and Weather (TEST 1) Chapt 4
Week 7 March 9, 11 Winds and Global Circulation . Chapt 5
Week 8 March 16, 18 Weather Systems & Global Climates Chapt 6 & 7
Week 9 March 30 Earth’s Materials, Plate Tectonics Chapts. 11 & 12
SPRING BREAK MARCH 20 – 29, 2004
April - May 2004
Week 11 April 6, 8 Volcanic and Tectonic Landforms Chapt 13
Week 12 April 13, 15 Weathering, MassWasting (TEST 2) Chapt 14
Week 13 April 20, 22 Natural Vegetation, Ecosystems and Soils Chapt 9 & 10
Week 14 April 27, 29 Landforms made by Running Water Chapt 16
May, 2004
Week 15 May, 4, 6, Glacier Landforms and Ice Age Chapt 19
Week 16 May 11 Revision of Topics
FINAL EXAMINATION
Tuesday, May 18th 2004 (8.00 - 10.00 am)
USEFUL NOTES FROM PREVIOUS SEMESTERS
***Notes are based on chapters in Christopherson's Elemental Geosystem's book and not what we are currently Using for the class.
Earth’s systems concepts and cycles
Chapt1A
Chapt1B &
LabQuestions
Solar Energy, Seasons and the Atmosphere
Chapt2A
Ch
Atmospheric Energy and
Temperature
Chapt 3
Atmospheric Circulation
Chapt 4
Oceanic Circulation
Chapt 4
Atmospheric Water and Weather
(TEST1)
Answers
Chapter 5
Atmospheric Water and Weather contd. Chapt 5
Global climatic Systems Climatic_classification_LAB Chapt6_Notes
The Dynamic Planet (plate tectonics)
Chapt 8
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Lecture
Chapt 9
QUIZ3: Due in Class on April 8th: Answers
Weathering, MassWasting and Rocks Lecture
(TEST
2: Chapt 10
Rivers & Wind Processes and Landforms Lecture1
Lecture2
Chapt 11 & 12
Glacial Processes and Landforms QUIZ Lecture
Chapt 14
Ecosystem
and Biomes
Lecture Chapt 16