GEOG 1010 Intro to Physical Geography

This course provides a systematic exploration of patterns and processes of the Earth’s physical geographic environment, including the atmosphere, climate, hydrological cycle, tectonics, landforms, soils, ecosystem dynamics, and the influence of humans on these systems. The student will learn principles and tools within the discipline of geography and apply them to studying relationships between the Earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere at multiple spatial and temporal scales. (3 lect., 3 lab) LSCI

Credits

4 credits

Major Topics

• Introduction to physical geography and the role of geographers
• Reading topographic maps and interpreting satellite imagery 
• Scientific thinking and methodology   
• Systems thinking and feedback loops
• Cycles and patterns in the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere
• The atmosphere, weather, and climate: Energy, insolation, temperature, moisture, pressure, and the types and distribution of weather phenomena 
• Geographical processes: Weathering, mass wasting, fluvial processes, soil formation, and the soil ecosystem
• Internal processes: Crustal formation, volcanism, thrust/faults, and hydrothermal processes
• Landform study: Glaciers and ice ages, karst landscapes, arid lands, and coastal terrain
• Anthropological impacts on Earth’s physical systems
• Reliance of human settlement, culture, and economy on the Earth’s physical systems
• Care and use of research and communication tools in physical geography

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.