SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
SUMMER 2007
Office: DH 314M
Web Page: http://homepage.smc.edu/drake_vicki
INSTRUCTOR: Prof. V. Drake
e-mail: drake_vicki@smc.edu
Office Phone: 310-434-8652
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 5 LECTURE AND LAB
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Physical geography is the study of the Earth’s surface and the four great realms: atmosphere, biosphere,
lithosphere and hydrosphere. The physical processes within each of these four great Earth realms, as well as the
interrelationships between the processes, are examined through the use of lectures, slides, videos and other geographic
tools (including maps, charts, graphs and more). Laboratory work emphasizes the practical application of concepts presented
in lecture, introduces the student to some of the tools and methods used in Physical Geography
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to identify spatial patterns and interrelationships between systems and cycles that affect life
and shape landscapes.
Students will demonstrate cartographic literacy, including map interpretation and, using spatial
analysis skills, will be able to analyze, recognize and evaluate spatial distributions on all scales from local to global.
REQUIRED TEXT
Introducing Physical Geography, 4th Edition, by Strahler and Strahler
Physical Geography Supplement by Vicki Drake
World Atlas, Pencils (No.2 lead and Colored), Ruler, Calculator
REQUIRED TOOLS/EQUIPMENT FOR LAB
Calculator, ruler, colored pencils, scissors, glue, tape, pen and pencils (No.2 lead)
PLEASE BRING THESE TO CLASS EVERY DAY – THERE WILL BE LAB EVERY DAY!!
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
Grading is based on attendance and participation in class discussions, homework assignments, lab assignments in
class, lab quizzes, a midterm and a final exam. The midterm and final exam will consist of objective questions and short
answer essays. Everyone must take the final exam: failure to do so will result in a grade of FAIL no matter the grade going
into the final! Grades will be computed mathematically based on the total number of points received.
Evaluation:
Midterm Exam
Homework/Labs
Lab Quizzes
Final Exam
40%
10%
10%
40%
Keep your attendance regular and punctual, excessive absences may result in exclusion from the class. Arriving late
for class is disruptive for everyone, and habitual tardiness may result in exclusion from class.
GETTING HELP
If you are having difficulty with the concepts presented in class, I will be happy to help you. Please see me after
class, during my office hours, or contact me through voice-mail or e-mail. Getting help early will assure a more successful
course grade.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT/ACADEMIC HONESTY
Students violating college policies regarding personal conduct and academic honesty are subject to disciplinary
measures. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated and may result in temporary (or permanent) removal
from the class. Additionally, cheating, copying, plagiarism (either from another’s paper, from a pre-written assignment, or
downloaded from the Internet) will result in removal from the class, a grade of F for the semester and possible expulsion
from Santa Monica College. Please refer to the Standards of Student Conduct or the current Santa Monica College catalog.
1
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
DATE
SUBJECT
Week 1
June 18-21
Week 2
June 25-28
Week 3
July 2-5
READING
Introduction to Physical Geography
Representations of Earth: Maps
Earth-Sun Relations
Atmosphere – Energy Balance
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Atmospheric Pressure and Winds
Global Circulation
Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation
Chapter 3 and 5
Chapter 4
NO CLASS – WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
Air Masses, Fronts and
Atmospheric Disturbances: Thunderstorms,
Tornadoes, Hurricanes
1
1
1
2
Chapter 6
Week 4
July 9-12
MIDTERM EXAM: MONDAY, JULY 9
Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics
Earth Materials: rocks and minerals
Week 5
July 16-19
Volcanoes and Magmatic Features
Folding and Faulting and Earthquakes
Weathering and Mass Movement
Water: Groundwater and Karst Topography
Chapter 13
Fluvial Processes: Surface Water
Arid Landforms and Aeolian Processes
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Week 6
July 23-26
THURSDAY – JULY 26
Chapter 11 and 12
Chapter 14
Chapter 16
FINAL EXAM
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 5 – LAB SYLLABUS (TENTATIVE SCHEDULE – SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Labs provided by Physical Geography Supplement, Vicki Drake
SCHEDULE
Week
Exercise
Reading
Week 1
Map Scale Lab and Map Projections
Township and Range
Topographic Mapping
Earth-Sun Relationships
Seasons and Analemma
Temperature Controls: Insolation
Energy -Temperature-Heat Labs
pp 39-45
pp 38-39
pp 49-53
pp 74-80
pp 80-85
pp 99-104
pp 105-113
Week 2
LAB EXAM # 1
Atmospheric Pressure
Air Pressure and Winds
Pressure Gradient and Wind
Global Circulation
pp 115-121
pp 121-126
pp 126-129
pp 129-143
2
Environmental Lapse Rates, Ocean Currents
Humidity
pp 136-139
pp 149-152
Week 3
LAB EXAM # 2
Adiabatic Processes: Celsius
Adiabatic Processes: Fahrenheit
Stability
Clouds
Air Masses and Fronts
pp 159-160
pp 159-161
pp 160-161
pp 156-159
pp 176-179
Week 4
LAB EXAM # 3
Surface/Upper Air Analysis
Thunderstorm and Hurricanes
Rocks & Minerals
Relative Dating
Interior of Earth
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
pp 179-188
pp 188-200
pp 362-370
pp 371-373
pp 374-377
pp 377-389
Week 5:
LAB EXAM # 4
Magmatic Tectonics: Igneous Features
Mantle Plumes
Volcanoes
Solid Tectonics: Folded Structures
San Andreas Fault
Seismology Lab
Week 6:
Weathering
Mass Wasting
Karst Topography: Groundwater
Groundwater Pollution Assessment
Floodplains
River Systems: Discharge and flooding
WEDNESDAY – JULY 28 LAB EXAM # 5
3
pp 401-404
pp 384-386
pp 396-401
pp 404-412
pp 409-415
pp 412-417
pp 424-436
pp 436-444
pp 448-467
pp 484-491