SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Geography
Spring Semester, 2015
Geography 509: Regional Climatology
TTh 8:00-9:15, HH-128
Schedule Number: 21506
Prerequisite: Geography 101 or 103
or consent of the instructor
Instructor: J. O'Leary
Office: Storm Hall 309C
Phone: 594-5511
email: oleary@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: MW 1000-1130;
TTH 0930-1030; 1215-1300
or by appointment
COURSE OBJECTIVES: To gain a regional understanding of the earth's climates. In order to
do so, we will develop basic principles governing atmospheric processes that will make the
global distribution of climate meaningful. Different climatic classification systems, both
empirical and genetic, will be examined with special emphasis being placed upon Trewartha's
classification.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes: Students taking this course should be able to:
1) appreciate the importance of spatial and temporal heat budget variation, 2) explain the
processes that produce winds and the global atmospheric circulation, 3) understand and
appreciate spatial and temporal patterns in atmospheric moisture, air masses, and fronts, 4)
comprehend and predict the spatial and temporal occurrence of Earth’s weather systems, 5)
recognize and contrast the global distribution of climates, and understand the atmospheric
processes that govern climatic characteristics.
TEXT: The Climate of the Earth, P.E. Lydolph, 1985 (required)
GRADING: Two midterm exams (each 100 points) and a final exam (140 points) will be given
on the dates shown below. These exams will be an admixture of multiple choice, short answer,
and essay questions. The final exam will be partially cumulative, although most of it will cover
material presented after the 2nd midterm exam. Grade cutoffs on individual exams and for the
course will be determined by a grading curve.
Midterm No. 1 (February 24)
Midterm No. 2 (April 9)
Final Exam
(May 12)
30%
30%
40%
100%
Use of Electronic Devices: Laptop computers may be used only for note taking, but all other
electronic devices must be turned off during class time.
Students with 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 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 accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you have
presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your
cooperation is appreciated.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS
WEEK DATES
CHAPTERS
TOPICS
_____________________________________________________________________________
1.
1/22
1, 2
Introduction, Chemical and Physical Structure of the
Atmosphere
2.
1/27-1/29
3, 4
Global Heat Exchange; Spatial and Temporal Heat
Budget Variation
3.
2/3-2/5
5, 6
Atmospheric Pressure and Motion; Observed
Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation Patterns
4.
2/10-2/12
7, 8, 9
Atmospheric Moisture; Adiabatic Processes and
Atmospheric Stability; Air Masses and Fronts
5.
2/17-2/19
10, 11
Flow Perturbations in Middle and Lower Latitudes
6.
2/24-2/26
12
FIRST MIDTERM; Wind
7.
3/3-3/5
13
Forms and Distributions of Condensation and
Precipitation
8.
3/10-3/12
14
Temperature: Controls, Expressions, and Distributions
9.
3/17-3/19
15
Climatic Classification and Distribution
10.
3/24-3/26
16
Climate of North America
11.
3/31-4/2
12.
4/7-4/9
16
Climate of North America; SECOND MIDTERM
13.
4/14-4/16
17
Climate of Eurasia
14.
4/21-4/23
17, 18
Climate of Eurasia (cont.); Climate of Africa
15.
4/28-4/30
18, 19
Climate of Africa (cont.); South and Central America
16.
5/6-5/8
19
South and Central America (cont.)
17.
5/12
SPRING RECESS
FINAL EXAMINATION - May 12, 0800-1000