GEG 105 Physical Geography

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Focuses on the physical subsystems of the earth (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere), with emphasis on human-environment relations. Includes basic map skills, latitude/longitude, weather, climate, biogeography, volcanism, erosion, and desert landscapes.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Locate important features on a map of North America or the world.
Identify the most important map elements and interpret information from a map.
Identify the significant lines of latitude and longitude and explain how they relate to the earth’s changing seasons.
Differentiate the key characteristics of the world’s major climate regions.
Employ the Koppen climate classification system to classify places in the proper climate category.
Diagram various atmospheric processes and explain how they operate.
Compare and contrast various land-shaping processes and describe how each alters the earth’s surface.
Assess how a geographic perspective provides insight into understanding the earth’s natural environment and apply that perspective to interpreting landscapes.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior.
Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.

Content Outline

Introduction
- Discipline of geography
- Subfield of physical geography
Map Reading (Limited Treatment)
- Map interpretation
- Map scale
Geodesy
- Earth-sun relationships
- Latitude and longitude
- Time zones
Climatology
- Weather and climate
- Air temperature
- Atmospheric pressure and circulation
- Atmospheric moisture and precipitation
- Severe weather
- Koppen climate classification
Geomorphology
- Internal processes (folding, faulting, volcanism)
- External processes (weathering, gravity transfer, fluvial processes)
- Desert landscapes
- Coastal processes
- Glacial landscapes
Vegetation (Limited Treatment)