PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
SPRING 2014
TENTATIVE SYLLABUS
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Website:
Class Time:
Dr. John Menzies
MS 27, phone, 661-395-4563
M – 5-6 pm, T – 4-6 pm, W - 11-12 pm R - 10-11 am
jmenzies@bakersfieldcollege.edu
www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/jmenzies
M – 6 – 9:10 pm
Required Text:
Christopherson, R.W. Geos. Custom ed. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall.
Course Objective:
The purpose of this course is to educate students on important
geographic concepts. Furthermore, I will emphasize the earth’s various
systems and how they relate to one another. The topics presented will be
derived from the earth’s four main spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere, and biosphere. At the end of the course students should have
a greater understanding and appreciation for the world in which they live.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Conceptualize the earth as an open physical system where all elements interact with
one another.
2. Explain the earth’s many processes, whether it applies to the lithosphere, hydrosphere,
biosphere, or atmosphere.
3. Analyze complex weather and climate systems such as cyclones, hurricanes and
tornadoes.
4. Explain basic geology such as main rock types and plate tectonics.
5. Demonstrate and analyze how the earth is shaped by weathering, wind, water and ice.
6. Comprehend that geography is no longer the study of places on a map, but rather a pure
science.
7. Create understandable and well-informed reports relevant to physical geography.
Etiquette:
The lectures presented in this course will enhance your understanding of
information provided in the textbook. It is essential that you take notes in
class in order to comprehend the course material—the responsibility of
the student. Failure to do so will ultimately result in an unsatisfactory
grade on tests. Attendance is also mandatory for each lecture period. If a
student obtains 1 absence before the census date (February 3), I will
drop the student from the class. After the census date, BC policy states
that if you miss 2 weeks’ worth of classes the instructor may drop you
from the course.
Withdrawl Deadlines: Last day to drop without a W on your record: February 3, 2014
Last day to drop with a W on your record:
March 28, 2014
Census Date: February 3, 2014
Grading:
During the course of the session, you will be required to complete seven
subject reports, eight quizzes, three regular examinations (882-E
scantron sheets required), and a final examination (882-E scantron
sheets required). The quizzes are designed to provide understanding
and help students learn attention to detail and concentration. These
exercises will provide both your understanding and ability to comprehend
course material in an effective fashion. For the subject reports, you will be
required to write (typed or handwritten legibly) a couple of pages
regarding a physical geography topic of interest. The topic should be a
reflection of what has been discussed recently in class, but not a
reproduction of the lecture notes. Information may be obtained from the
library or internet, but not plagiarized. I will give you much leeway on
your subject reports. Drawing pictures is highly encouraged because
geography is a visual discipline. Your reports will be graded based on
their length (must be at least 2 typed pages long) and content (must
consist of new material not discussed in lecture). In addition, each
report must cite a minimum of 3 references, one of which must be the
textbook. Any standard citation system is acceptable. On-time
completion of these elements of the course will help secure a satisfactory
grade. Important: If an exam, quiz or report could not be
attended or turned in on time, I require written documentation in
advance!!! If these rules are not abided by, make-ups will not be
permitted!!! Any excused assignments, quizzes, or exams that are 1
week or more tardy cannot be turned in under any circumstances!!!!
Grade Distribution: Element
7 Subject Reports
8 Quizzes
3 Exams
Final Exam
Points Each
10
20
70
70
Total
70
160
210
70
College Grading Policy (+90% A, 89-80% B, etc.)
Plagiarism:
Bakersfield College does not tolerate academic misconduct such as
plagiarism. If a students’ assignment is found to be copied directly from
another source, the instructor reserves the right to award an F to that
student for the assignment. Be aware that students’ work can be verified
for its originality on various websites and with other resources.
Course Outline:
WEEK
1
2
LECTURE/EXAMS/QUIZZES
Introduction, Latitude and Longitude, GIS
and Remote Sensing
Quiz 1, Subject Report # 1 due, Solar
System, Earth-Sun Relationships, Profile of
the Atmosphere
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Quiz 2, Subject Report # 2 due, Air
Pollution, Atmospheric Processes,
Greenhouse Effect
President’s Day Holiday!!!
Quiz 3, Temperature Controls, Marine vs.
Continental Climates, Exam #1 Review
Exam # 1, Subject Report # 3 due,
Circulation, Atmospheric Forces, Cyclones
and Jet streams, Ocean Currents
Exam #1 Review, Quiz 4, Earth’s Water,
Adiabatic Processes
Quiz 5, Subject Report # 4 due, Air
Masses, Lifting Mechanisms,
Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Hurricanes,
Climate Classification
Quiz 6, Climatology Film, Exam # 2 Review
Exam # 2, Subject Report # 5 due, Rock
Types, Plate Tectonics, Surface Properties,
Folding and Faulting,
Exam # 2 Review, Quiz 7, Earthquakes
and Volcanoes, Weathering and Karst
Landscapes
Spring Break!!!
Landform Film, Subject Report # 6 due,
Fluvial Processes, Eolian Processes,
Quiz 8, Glacial Processes, Exam # 3
Review
Exam # 3, Subject Report # 7 due, Final
Exam Review
Final Exam
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs and Services in the Student Services
Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to ensure that such
accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.