SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
SUMMER 2009
Office: DH 314L
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 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
Elemental Geosystems, by Robert Christopherson
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 LABS DUE 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
35%
15%
15%
35%
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 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.
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
DATE
Week 1
Jun 22-25
Week 2
Jun 29-July2
Week 3
July 6-9
Week 4
July 13-16
Week 5
July 20-23
Week 6
July 27-30
SUBJECT
READING
Introduction to Physical Geography
Representations of Earth: Maps
Earth-Sun Relations
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Atmosphere – Energy Balance
Atmospheric Pressure and Winds
Global Circulation
Chapter 3, 4, 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation
Air Masses, Fronts and
Atmospheric Disturbances: Thunderstorms,
Tornadoes, Hurricanes
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
7
7
8
8
MIDTERM EXAM: MONDAY, JULY 13
Age-Dating the Earth
Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics
Earth Materials: rocks and minerals
Volcanoes and Magmatic Features
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
11
11
12
12
Folding and Faulting and Earthquakes
Weathering and Mass Movement
Water: Groundwater and Karst Topography
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 9, 13
Fluvial Processes: Surface Water
Arid Landforms and Aeolian Processes
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
THURSDAY – JULY 30 FINAL EXAM
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 5 – LAB SYLLABUS (TENTATIVE SCHEDULE – SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Labs provided by Physical Geography Supplement, Vicki Drake
Week
Week 1
Exercise
Map Scale Lab and Map Projections
Township and Range
Topographic Mapping
Earth-Sun Relationships
Seasons and Analemma
Week 2
LAB QUIZ # 1
Temperature Controls: Insolation
Energy -Temperature-Heat Labs
Atmospheric Pressure
Air Pressure and Winds
Pressure Gradient and Wind
Global Circulation
Environmental Lapse Rates, Ocean Currents
Week 3
LAB QUIZ # 2
Humidity
Adiabatic Processes: Celsius
Adiabatic Processes: Fahrenheit
2
Stability
Clouds
Air Masses and Fronts
Week 4
LAB QUIZ # 3
Surface/Upper Air Analysis
Thunderstorm and Hurricanes
Relative Dating
Interior of Earth
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
Week 5:
LAB QUIZ # 4
Magmatic Tectonics: Igneous Features
Mantle Plumes
Volcanoes
Solid Tectonics: Folded Structures
San Andreas Fault
Seismology Lab
Week 6:
Weathering
Mass Wasting
Artesian Wells
Groundwater Pollution Assessment
Floodplains
River Systems: Discharge and flooding
WEDNESDAY – JULY 29 - LAB QUIZ # 5
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