Physical Elements of Geography Lab
Department of Physical Science
Bakersfield College
Tentative Syllabus
Fall Semester 2014
Lab: SE 8
Geography B1-L
Introduction to Physical Elements of Geography Lab
Lab Times: T – 6 – 9:10 pm
Instructor: Dr. John Menzies
Office and Hours: MS27, M – 5- 6 pm, T – 4-6 pm, W - 11–12 pm, R – 10-11 am
E-mail and Phone Number: jmenzies@bakersfieldcollege.edu, 661-395-4563
Website: www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/jmenzies
Lab Manuals: Menzies, John. Physical Geography Lab Manual
Rand McNally. Goode’s World Atlas. 22nd ed. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Christopherson, R.W. (2014) Custom. ed. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall.
Obtaining the Lab Manual: 1. Go to www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/jmenzies
2. Click on Courses
3. Click on Lab Manual – must have MSWord
Materials: Lab manual, Textbook, Atlas, Calculator, Ruler, Colored Pencils, Graph
Paper
Lab Objectives: Laboratory portion of Physical Geography is designed to demonstrate
how material presented in Geography B1 can be applied in a working environment.
Assignments are designed to help students understand and apply the concepts learned in
the lecture to real world problems. Exercises include using an atlas, coordinate systems,
earth-sun relationships, weather and climate analysis, and topographic map interpretation.
Labs will last approximately 3 hours. Students will work in groups of no more than 3
people to encourage teamwork and cooperation. All lab work is due at the end of each lab
session. If a lab could not be finished within the allotted time, I will give you until the
first lecture period the next day to complete and turn them in.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Analyze complex weather and climate systems such as cyclones, hurricanes and
tornadoes.
2. Students should be able to interpret, extract information from, and analyze topographic
maps effectively.
3. Analyze the earth’s geometric relationship with the sun.
4. Evaluate the importance of coordinate systems and the use of an atlas for extraction of
information.
5. Students should be able to conceptualize that geography is no longer the study of
places on a map, but rather a pure science.
6. Create lab reports relevant to physical geography related problem-solving.
Attendance: All labs must be attended because the assignments are due at the end of
each session. BC policy states that if you miss 2 weeks worth of classes the
instructor may drop you from the course. If you miss 1 week prior to the
census date you will be dropped as well.
Withdrawl Deadlines: Last day to drop without a W on your record: Sept. 7, 2014
Last day to drop with a W on your record: Oct. 31, 2014
Census Date: Sept. 8, 2014
Grading: 3 Exams
Final Exam
Labs
Total
150 pts. (Each worth a total of 50 pts.)
50 pts.
200 pts. (Each worth a total of 20 pts.)
400 pts.
College Grading Policy (+90% A, 89-80% B, etc.)
Etiquette: Late lab assignments and missed exams will not be accepted.
If extreme circumstances exist, and a lab cannot be handed in on time or an
exam must be missed, a reasonable and verifiable excuse must be supplied in
advance so that other arrangements can be made. Any excused assignment or
exam that is 1 week or more overdue will not be accepted under any
circumstances. There will be no exceptions to these rules.
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 at www.turnitin.com.
Tentative Lab Schedule (subject to change)
Week 1
Introduction
Week 2
Use of Atlas
Week 3
Geographic Grid: Latitude, Longitude, and Time
Week 4
Earth-Sun Relationships
Week 5
Public Land Survey
Week 6
Exam # 1
Week 7
Pressure and Wind
Week 8
Weather-Temperature
Week 9
Moisture and Air Masses
Week 10
Exam # 2
Week 11
Topographic Maps
Week 12
Veteran’s Day Holiday!!!
Week 13
Topographic Maps (Cross-Sectional Profile Drawing)
Week 14
Volcanic and Glacial Landforms
Week 15
Exam # 3, Final Exam Q & A
Week 16
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.