Outcomes
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
1. Describe geography and physical geography using appropriate nomenclature.
2. Interpret topographical maps, satellite imagery, and other geographic representations.
3. Discuss how scientific observation, quantitative measurement, and critical reasoning support scientific laws and theories.
4. Explain relationships between the Earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere at multiple spatial and temporal scales.
5. Apply the principles of scientific investigation to the Earth’s physical systems and processes.
6. Explain the influence of Earth’s physical systems on spatial variation across the planet: climate and weather, hydrology, ecosystems, geologic processes, and landform development.
7. Interpret geographical processes based on field laboratory observations.
8. Describe landscapes with key physical geography terms.
9. Apply field-observations and geographic theory to landscape features, their formation, and their relevance to the public through different communication formats.
10. Describe how humans influence the environment by interacting with and modifying Earth’s physical systems.
11. Articulate how the spatial distribution of landscapes and changes to them affect different populations of people.
12. Interpret spatial data related to weather, soil, and geological phenomena.