Physical Geography

Geography 101Professor Lisa Schmidt

Section 39417Wednesday 7:00-10:10 PM

Welcome to Geography 101!

• In this class you will learn the basic elements of geography.

• We will study climate, landforms, water, soils, and native plants and animals.

• We will examine the inter-relationships between these things and we will look at their patterns of distribution throughout the world.

Textbooks

• Required– Physical Geography

California Edition• McKnight and Hess

• ISBN 0-558-11417-2• Required

– Goode’s World Atlas• ISBN 0-528-65000-3

– Or any recent World Atlas that contains physical maps

• Recommended– The Geography Coloring

Book• Wynn Kapit• 978-0131014725

Alternate Texts

• You may use older editions of this book.• Details can be found here: http://

schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/Textbooks

Required Materials

• Pencils• Pens• Paper• Internet Access

Recommended Materials

• Colored Pens or Pencils• For map studies

Course Description

• The goal of this course is to introduce students to basic concepts in physical geography…– Since it is an

introductory course, it is assumed students have little or no background in physical geography.

Course Objectives

• By the end of this course you should be able to do the following:– Explain why we have

seasons – Describe the function and

composition of the atmosphere

• Discuss the earth's hydrologic cycle – Describe the structure of

the solid earth and relate it to phenomena such as earthquakes, mountain ranges and volcanoes

– Evaluate the effects of the atmosphere and the hydrosphere on the lithosphere

– Compare and contrast the earth's ecosystems

– Identify various landforms– Be more geographically

literate!

Grading Scale

• 3 Exams 100 points each = 300 points

• 14 Chapter Quizzes 10 points each = 140 points

• 5 Map Quizzes 25 points each = 125 points

• 1 Presentation = 100 points• 100 Random Points=100

points• Total Points Possible = 765

• 100-90% 765-688 A• 89-80% 687-612 B• 79-70% 611-535 C• 69-60% 534-459 D• 59-0% 458-0 F

Note: You must earn at least 60% to pass this class. You may be dropped for falling below 60%. Please refer to your syllabus.

Exams

• There will be three exams.

• You will need to log in to Blackboard for each exam.

• The format will be multiple choice, true and false, and/or matching.

• Each exam will be worth 100 points.

• Exams will close at 6:30 on their due dates.