3 units, UC and CSU transfer credit, AA/AS general education credit.

This course is a laboratory study of basic principles and concepts involved in understanding Earth's environmental systems. Labs feature observation, collection, analysis and display of data related to the study of energy, weather and climate, vegetation, soils, landforms, and environmental hazards. Additionally, units feature geographic methods and technology, including interpretation of maps and other geographic imagery, weather instrumentation, the global positioning system (GPS), and relevant computer and Internet applications. Field trips may be required.

II. Student Learning Outcomes

• read, analyze, and interpret topographic maps and other geographic imagery.

• collect and analyze basic geographic data using common instruments.

• analyze and interpret tabular and graphic data related to basic geographic phenomena.

• compare and contrast local geographic data with other locations, both regional and global.

• apply basic physical geographic principles to contemporary environmental situations.

III. Grading: Grading is very important to both of us. I will give your work careful consideration. Again, please come see me if you have any questions. Grading will be done on a point system.

The breakdown will be roughly as follows:

Lab exercises 60%, practical exams 40%. Each week there will be an exercise or other assignment generally due at the end of each class. Assignments will not be accepted after the calendar week in which they are assigned.

IV. Course Content: (subject to change)

1. Latitude and Longitude
2. The Geographic Grid and Time
3. Directions and Compass Readings
4. Map Projections, Map Reading, and Interpretation
5. Earth-Sun Relationships and Daylength
6. Insolation and Seasons
7. Temperature Concepts
8. Temperature Patterns
9. Temperature Maps
10. Earth's Atmosphere: Temperature and Pressure Profiles
11. Earth's Atmosphere: Pressure and Wind Patterns
12. Atmospheric Humidity
13. Stability and Atmospheric Processes
14. Weather Maps
15. Midlatitude Cyclones and Hurricanes
16. Water Balance and Water Resources
17. Global Climate Systems
18. Climate Change
19. Plate Tectonics: Global Patterns
20. Plate Tectonics: Faulting and Volcanism
21. The Rock Cycle and Rock Identification
22. Recurrence Intervals for Natural Events
23. Contours and Topographic Maps
24. Topographic Analysis: Fluvial Geomorphology
25. Topographic Analysis: Glacial Geomorphology
26. Topographic Analysis: Coastal and Arid Geomorphology
27. Topographic Analysis: Karst Landscapes
28. Soils
29. Biomes: Analyzing Global Terrestrial Ecosystems
30. An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

V. Class Text and Materials:

Christopherson, Robert W. Applied Physical Geography: Geosystems in the Laboratory, 9th edition, Prentice Hall, 2015. (Buy new only and check for missing pages if you found a used one)
If you rent or purchase a used lab manual, check to verify that pages have not been torn out and the the topographic maps are there in the back of the book.  Missing pages are the responsibility of the student and are not an excuse for incomplete lab work so avoid this problem!

Required Materials: calculator, protractor and ruler (clear plastic ones are best), colored pencils, mechanical pencil (helpful) and eraser (perhaps more helpful), calculator.

VI. Other:

No single-use plastic water bottles are allowed in my class.