Geospatial Science 130


GEOS 130
Physical Geography (PS) (GE)

1. Catalog Entry

GEOS 130
Physical Geography (PS) (GE)

Credit hours (4)
Three hours lecture and two hours asynchronous online labs and fieldwork.

Introduction to the physical geography of the Earth (atmospheric systems, biosphere, and landforms) and the interrelationships among various environmental elements.

Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.

 

2. Detailed Description of Course

This course will introduce students to the physical geography of the Earth.  The major topics covered in this course are those considered fundamental to a comprehensive introduction to physical geography.  These include:
    1) Dimensions of the Earth, latitude and longitude
    2) Structure of the atmosphere
    3) Global patterns of the major variables determining world climate regions (temperature, pressure, winds, ocean currents, precipitation)
    4) Climatic classification
    5) Introduction to biomes
    6) Introduction to landforms
    7) Internal processes of landform genesis
    8) Weathering and mass movement
    9) Fluvial processes and landforms
    10) Selected landform regimes, such as coastal, arid lands and/or glacial
    
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Course will consist primarily of lectures, supplemented with geospatial laboratory exercises, and field trips, with heavy emphasis on graphic representations of global processes and patterns.  Lab activities involve fieldwork, research, applied projects and other learning opportunities.  
 
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having successfully completed this course the student will be able to:
    1) Describe and analyze the fundamentals of the dynamic processes which continuously influence change in the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere,
        and the surface landforms across the Earth.
    2) Describe and analyze the basic interrelationships among natural processes and distribution patterns of natural phenomena at global scales

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment of the student’s success in the course is based on the grades from two or more midterm examinations, homework, in-class and online asynchronous laboratory assignments, and a comprehensive final exam.  Students will also be required to complete a final project with a presentation to the class.  
 
6. Other Course Information

None.

Review and Approval

April 21, 2014        Rick Roth, Chair

January 1, 2010    Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair

September 9, 2005    Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair

March 01, 2021