GEOG 401: GEOMORPHOLOGY
Spring 2015 (Schedule line number 21501)
TTH 9:30 am to 10:45 am in HH-210
The meaning of geography is as much a sealed book to
the person of ordinary intelligence and education as the
meaning of a great cathedral would be to a
backwoodsman, and yet no cathedral can be more
suggestive of past history in its many architectural forms
than is the land about us, with its innumerable and
marvelously significant geographic forms.
— William Morris Davis
'Geographic Methods in Geologic Investigation',
The National Geographic Magazine, 1889, 1, 23.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND STRUCTURE
In this course, students will gain an understanding of how surface processes, including wind, water, ice
and gravity shape the Earth’s landforms. We will examine a diverse range of landforms, from coastal beaches
and headlands to the u-shaped valleys and moraines of glaciated mountains. Finally, we will examine how
human activities influence these natural processes and landforms. This class will include several field trips,
ranging from outings to our local beaches to an optional multi-day trip up to Yosemite National Park in April.
Class Goal: You should have a better understanding of: (1) the natural and human processes that
shape and alter our geomorphic systems and (2) how to ‘read’ the landscape, using current form
as insight into the geomorphic history of the area.
This course has six broad purposes:
1. To provide a solid understanding of fundamental theories and principles of geomorphology.
2. To elucidate the geographic variability in landform processes (deserts to coasts to mountains.)
3. To examine the role of human activities on geomorphic systems.
4. To explore techniques and tools used for geomorphic research.
5. To allow you to explore topics of particular interest to you.
6. To provide the opportunity to hone your research, writing, and oral presentation skills as you
investigate and report on special topics in geomorphology.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Dr. Molly Costello
Office location: Storm Hall 311B (3rd floor)
Email: mpohl@mail.sdsu.edu Office Phone: 594-8560
Office hours: Tuesdays, 1 pm to 2 pm and by appointment.
Please let the instructor know in person or by email if you
would like to attend office hours.
COURSE MATERIALS
Textbook
Key Concepts in Geomorphology, 2014.
R. Bierman and D. Montgomery
Freeman Publ.
Other
Other professional readings may be assigned during the semester.
Access to the readings via the SDSU library will be provided by the instructor.
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GRADES AND ASSIGNMENTS
Grades will be based on a straight scale:
≥90% = A, 80-89.9% = B, 70-79.9% = C, 60-69.9% = C, <60% = F
The grades in this course will be calculated as follows:
Assessment (60%)
Three quizzes at 20% each (Feb. 19, Mar. 24 and May 5)
Assignments and Research Paper (40%)
Research Paper
20%
Assignments and Field Trips
20%
Assessment: Quiz #1 (20%) and Quiz #2 (20%) and Quiz #3 (20%)
Quizzes will be comprised of short answer and essay questions that test your knowledge of
geomorphology, your ability to ‘read’ the landscape, and your capability in applying this
understanding towards addressing geomorphic problems.
Assignments and Research Paper (40%)
1. Research Paper (20%)
Each student in this course will have a different interest in geomorphology and deserves to
explore that topic. Perhaps you are interested in San Diego beach erosion and its impacts on
recreation or habitat. Perhaps want to explore the impact of Tijuana River watershed activities on
river flooding and landforms. The final project is an opportunity for you to investigate a specific
geomorphic problem of your choice, analyze the information you collect, and provide your
assessment of how to mitigate the problem. The paper should be 7-8 pages, typed, double-spaced
(not including figures, tables, or references). With rare exceptions, primary references should be
from professional literature and sources. Papers should be organized following standard APA
format (see details & view tutorial at http://www.apastyle.org/) The 20% will be distributed as
follows: 5% for phase 1 (research question, introduction, outline and references), and 15% for the
final paper. More details will be provided early in the semester.
2. Assignments and Field Trips (20%)
There will be a number of small, take-home (or in-class) reading responses and practical
exercises given throughout the semester. These are opportunities to test your comprehension and
assess whether you can perform a calculation or analysis, all of which benefit test scores and
overall class understanding. Part of this score is also for attending field trips or completing the
required replacement assignments (see details under “field trips” on the following page). Most
assignments will be given in class as we get to the relevant materials. The Current Issues in
Geomorphology assignment is provided below.
Current Issues in Geomorphology (due 4/14)
Over the course of the semester, you will collect three articles from current news (e.g. CNN, NY
Times, SD Union-Tribune) that are relevant to geomorphology (e.g. articles on landslides, floods
or beaches). Provide one page of analysis for each article, using what you have learned in class
to explain the geomorphic problem or situation. What happened? Why? What role did human
activities play, if any? Was this event avoidable? Desirable? What possible future science or
management issues arise from this event? An example of what the final product should look like
will be available on Blackboard for you to review prior to completing this assignment. The goal
is for you to see that: (1) every day around the world geomorphological events are shaping our
lives and (2) you can use the knowledge that you gain in this class to better understand what is
happening and why it is happening.
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FIELD TRIPS
Field trips offer important opportunities to use your knowledge and skills in a real-world context.
Calculations, theories, and principles have more meaning when you are applying them on the
landscape. In addition, you are limited in terms of how well you can truly understand landforms in a
classroom. Thus, I highly encourage participation in field trips as a means to gain more from this
class experience. If you do not attend, you will be given a replacement assignment selected by the
instructor. Missing a field trip or replacement assignment will result in the loss of points for the
semester. Our class field trips for this semester are as follows:
San Diego Geomorphology Overview / Coastal Geomorphology
Saturday, Jan. 31 (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
We will meet at Torrey Pines State Park to provide a
geomorphic overview of San Diego as a means to
introduce students to the course. In addition, we will study
the coastal geomorphology of the area and evaluate the
‘winter beach’ conditions at Torrey Pines. The time is set
to correspond to low tide, allowing for the best
geomorphic viewing and coastal access. Further details
provided prior to the field trip.
Arid Lands Geomorphology:
Wind, Water, Geologic Controls
Saturday, March 21 (9 am to 5 pm; optional overnight)
This all day excursion to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
allows us to explore the geomorphology of arid lands and
the importance of geologic controls to geomorphic
processes. We will look back through geologic time,
explore the history of the basin, and investigate past and
current geomorphic processes.
Yosemite National Park:
Glacial and Fluvial Processes and Mass Movements
Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19
This four day trip is a highlight of this course. In addition
to its stunning beauty, Yosemite National Park is an ideal
place to examine glacial and fluvial processes, as well as
mass movements. Contemporary processes, including
recent rock falls and major floods, overlie a landscape
shaped by recent Pleistocene glaciations. We will explore
the valley and discuss the current and past geomorphic
processes shaping Yosemite. In addition, we will look at
human-landscape interactions and how the National Park
Service is trying to balance the difficult charge to both
protect the resources of the park and allow for access and appreciation of its beauty. Costs for this
field trip (bus transport and camping fees) will be discussed the first week of class.
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TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
DATES
Jan 22
Jan 27
Jan 29
Sat., Jan. 31
Feb. 3 and 5
Feb. 10 and 12
Feb. 17 and 19
Feb. 24 and 26
Mar. 3 and 5
Mar. 10 and 12
Mar. 17 and 19
Sat., Mar. 21
Mar. 24 and 26
April 7 and 9
April 14
Apr. 16 to 19
April 21 and 23
Apr. 28 and 30
May 5
May 7
TOPIC
Class Structure and Organization; Intro to Course
Earth’s Dynamic Surface
Geomorphologist’s Tool Kit
San Diego Geomorphology Overview / Coastal Geomorph
12:30 pm to 3:30 pm: Torrey Pines State Park
(note that Sunday, Feb. 1, same time, is weather backup)
Weathering and Soils
Geomorphic Hydrology
Geomorphic Hydrology cont.
QUIZ 1 on Thursday, Feb. 19
Research Process and Term Papers
Hillslopes
Channels
Drainage Basins
Wind as a Geomorphic Agent
Arid Lands Geomorphology Field Trip
9 am to 5 pm: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
With optional overnight camping
QUIZ 2 on Tuesday, March 24
Thurs: Yosemite Field Trip Guidebook/Early Preparation
Spring Break at SDSU – March 30 to April 4
Glacial and Periglacial Geomorphology
Research Introduction due 4/9
Glacial History of Yosemite
Field Trip Preparation
Current Issues in Geomorphology due 4/14
Yosemite National Park Field Trip
Must preregister and pay for trip through Aztec Adventures
Coastal Geomorphology
Volcanic Geomorphology
QUIZ 3 on Tuesday, May 5
Course Synthesis and Conclusions
Research Papers due May 7
READINGS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 10
tbd
Chapter 9
tbd
Chapter 8
Chapter 11
Important note: This syllabus is subject to modification. All changes will be announced in class
and on the Blackboard site for this course. You are responsible for being aware of any
adjustments. Please contact your instructor if you have any questions about adjustments
course timing or content.
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GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION AND POLICIES
1. Blackboard: This class is supported by Blackboard. Please access Blackboard for your
syllabus, assignments, announcements and other class-related items.
2. Late Work: No late assignments are accepted and no make-up exams are given without prior
arrangement with the instructor. The grade of any work handed in late, including homework
and papers, will be deducted 10% for each day late. Excused late work is granted in only
extraordinary circumstances of illness or emergencies.
3. Attendance: Attendance is not mandatory, but is highly encouraged since a much better
understanding of course material arises from attending lecture. Correspondingly, grades
are higher for students with good attendance.
4. Help and Feedback: Office hours are intended to provide individual help, discuss problems
or interests, provide comments about the course, or just to get acquainted. I am more than
happy to work with you during these times or, if my office hours conflict with your schedule,
at other times. Please don’t miss out on getting help because you are reluctant to ask for it.
Finally, I would appreciate if you make an appointment to meet with me via email or in
person even during office hours so that I can ensure that I am available and not meeting with
other students when you arrive.
5. Special Student Circumstances: If you have special circumstances (e.g. disabilities, sports
schedule conflicts, foreign language student, or course forgiveness student) please meet
with the instructor at the beginning of the course to discuss your situation.
6. Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need
accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services
(SDS) at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you
should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that
accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot provide accommodations based
upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from Student Disability
Services. Your cooperation is appreciated. The SDS website is
http://go.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/sds/
7. Academic Integrity is one of the fundamental principles of a university community. SDSU
expects the highest standards of academic honesty from all students. Violations of
academic integrity include the following: (1) unauthorized assistance on an examination, (2)
falsification or invention of data, (3) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise,
(4) plagiarism, (5) misappropriation of research materials, (6) unauthorized access of an
instructor’s files or computer account, and (7) any other serious violation of academic
integrity as established by the instructor. If your academic integrity is not maintained on a
test or assignment, you will automatically receive a grade of zero for that test or assignment
and you will be reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities. Penalties can
be severe. For more information on what constitutes plagiarism, please ask me or see this
website: http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_understand_plagiarism_1/0,6622,427064-,00.html
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Name__________________________________
Major______________________Yr_________
Background in geomorphology, geology, or physical geography
Particular interest in geomorphology….if you have one.
Describe what you see in these photos. Tell me their story.
(Write to the left of the photo)
Convict Lake area, Eastern Sierra Nevada
San Simeon area, coastal CA
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