LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY
GEOG 1550: PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY
SPRING 2012 SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
LECTURE:
LAB:
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS:
PHONE:
E-mail:
Prof. Mark Guizlo
12:30-1:20 TR (Sec. 34313)
1:20-2:10 TR (Sec. 34312)
B-2036
10:45-12:30 & 2:15-3:00 MTWR
440-525-7251
mguizlo@lakelandcc.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an introduction to the field of physical geography, including the
spatial study of the Earth systems in relation to weather, climate, landforms, vegetation
and plant distribution, soils, and human interaction with these systems.
Required Textbook and Lab Manual
Textbook: Ritter, Michael 2012. The Physical Environment: An Introduction to Physical Geography. Open
Educational Resources Free online textbook. Students will register at
http://www.oercommons.org/welcome
Lab Manual: Lemke, Karen A., Michael E. Ritter, N.C. Heywood 2009. Physical Geography Laboratory
Manual. New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN: 978-0-07-727603-4.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to
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Describe Earth-Sun relationships and their connection to latitude and longitude.
Describe the role of longitude in world time zones.
Explain the processes responsible for the evolution of surface landscapes.
Identify the general weather patterns that exist around the globe and explain the processes
associated with these patterns.
Identify general climate zones and soil profiles.
Explain how variations in climate relate to global distributions of plants and animals.
Identify glacial, fluvial, coastal, and desert landscapes, and the processes associated with
them.
Identify components associated with weather and atmospheric processes such as cloud
types, precipitation, pressure, and wind.
Describe global environmental change and identify factors responsible for it.
Compare and contrast physical geographic patterns and their variations over space.
Identify changing geographic perspectives on how geographers explain geographic
phenomena.
Describe ways in which geographers gather, interpret, process, and evaluate data,
including both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Apply geographic tools and methods to the study of earth systems.
Write clear, concise, and accurate summaries of laboratory findings pertaining to the
study of physical and environmental geography.
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Attendance
Attendance is essential in order to pass this class, and attendance is recorded in the
lecture and again in the lab for each class session. Attendance makes up 10% of your
final grade. In order to count as having attended, students need to be present in class
when attendance is taken and must stay for the whole class session. If you miss a class,
you should contact the instructor as soon as possible in order to be made aware of any
announcements or other essential class information.
Attendance Reporting and Administrative Withdrawal
Attendance is reported to the college at the end of the first week of classes. Students must
sign in on the class sign-in sheet at least once in order to be counted as having attended.
Students will be administratively withdrawn from any class in which they are enrolled
and have not attended during the first week of the semester. Administrative withdrawals
will occur at the beginning of the 3rd week of classes (during the regular semester) at 0%
refund . A grade of AW will be issued.
Student-initiated Withdrawal
Withdrawals are permitted only until Friday, October 28, 2011. Special permission for
late withdrawal is granted only when students provide documentation to the registration
office showing that attendance is not possible for medical or employment reasons. Late
withdrawals are not permitted for any other reason, and a late withdrawal is not a way for
a student to avoid failing a course.
How to Succeed in this Course
1. Attend and participate in every class session, including both lecture and lab.
2. Take notes in both lecture and lab.
3. After each class session, you should outline, copy notes, and use the related study guide to
organize your notes for use in studying for the upcoming exam. Many students find that using
note cards is an effective way to prepare for multiple choice exam questions.
4. Complete assigned readings and take notes on the readings before the class session in which
that reading is assigned.
5. Watch Complete all lab assignments fully and on time.
6. Expectations are that students will study 2-3 hours for each hour in class (this includes
reading, organizing notes, preparing for exams, etc.). Since this class meets for 4 hours per
week, you should expect to study for 8-12 hours outside of class each week.
Other Class Rules

No inappropriate talking, whispering, etc, is allowed in class and you will be asked to leave if you
disrupt the class.

All cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices must be turned off and stored away from view
while you are in class, unless you have sought permission from the instructor to use a laptop or other
device in class. You may not text message or do other tasks on your phone during class.

Disciplinary problems, including cheating, will be dealt with according to the procedures outlined in
the Lakeland Student Handbook. The penalty for cheating may result in a grade of “F” for the course.
Students who are found to be in violation of Lakeland’s plagiarism (cheating) guidelines may be
expelled from the college. For further information, see http://lakelandcc.edu/academic/handbook.
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Your Grade
One single final grade is assigned for this class. Your grade is determined by exams, Lab
Exercises, and attendance.
Assessment
Assignment
4 exams, 100 points each
14 lab exercises, 30 points ea.
Attendance Points
Field Exercises
Total Points
Grading System
Points
400
420
100
80
1000
%
40
42
10
8
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
FNA
Percentage
90%
80%
70%
60%
59% and below
Failure for NonAttendance*
Points
900
800
700
600
below 600
Exams

Four exams are taken in this class, and each covers assigned lecture reading and notes.

It is expected that no students will miss a regularly scheduled exam. In the rare case where a
student misses an exam, the student must contact the instructor in advance where possible. A
makeup exam may be given at the discretion of the instructor.

All exams are closed-book and closed-note.

All students must bring a #2 pencil to each exam.

Exams consist of multiple choice, problems, and essay questions, and exams ask questions
from lecture notes , the textbook, or other assigned sources.

Lecture will cover the main themes of each chapter, and significant class time will be spent
discussing those main themes and related case studies form the textbook. Lectures will not go
into every topic covered in each chapter. Students are responsible for using their lecture
notes, the study guides (available on Blackboard), textbook, and atlas in order to prepare for
exams, and should not expect that the exams will only cover topics and terms addressed in
class.

Students must come on time for the exams. Students who are allowed to take the exam in the
Test Center as a result of registration with the Learning Center are expected to start the exam
before or at the start of class time.
Lab Exercises

Lab exercises are to be completed by the due date, and attendance is required for all students
as an essential part of completing work on time.

Points will be deducted for late work, at the discretion of the instructor. As a general rule, a
20% point deduction will be taken for each day the work is late. Once an exercise is more
than 4 days late, it is worth 0 points.

Pay close attention to all instructions in the lab, and be sure that you do the exercise
homework that is needed in order for you to complete each lab on time.
Field Exercises
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Lab and lecture concepts will be reinforced through several field activities, to be conducted during
class time. Field visits will include campus sites and 2 off-campus sites. These will be scheduled in
advance, depending on weather conditions.
USING THE ONLINE ASSISTANT
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To get to the website, go to https://class.lakelandcc.edu/

Follow these directions to enter Blackboard:
Locate your Blackboard user name and password as described below:

Username: Obtained from your Lakeland email account. For example, John Smith's email is
jsmith12@mail.lakelandcc.edu so his username is jsmith12.

Password: Your Lakeland Identification Number (LID). This 8 digit number can be found on
your course schedule, grade report or your Lakeland invoice.

Help: If you encounter any technical difficulties you may contact the Lakeland helpdesk for
assistance through e-mail (helpdesk@lakelandcc.edu) or by phone (440-525-7570).

Click on the link: GEOG1600_SU11_41728_Online_Asst. The course Online Assistant should
appear.
Course Schedule, Spring 2012
UNIT 1:
EARTH SYSTEMS & ATMOSPHERIC ENERGY
Week 1
Tue. 1/17
Introduction & Essentials of Physical Geography
Introduction
Lab:
Start Lab 1:
Essentials of Physical Geography
Reading:
Chapter 1: Essentials of Physical Geography
Lab:
Start Lab 1: Earth-Sun Geometry & Insolation (LM Exer. 1)
Thu. 1/19
Week 2
Tue. 1/24
Thu. 1/26
Week 3
Tue. 1/31
Thu. 2/2
Earth Systems
The Earth Systems
Reading:
Chapter 2: The Earth System (the earth system, looking back)
Chapter 4 (Insolation section only)
Lab:
Continue Lab 1
Natural Systems & Geochemical Cycles
Reading:
Chapter 2: The Earth System (natural systems & geochemical cycles)
Lab:
Lab 1 is due.
Atmosphere, Radiation, & Energy
Atmosphere & Radiation
Reading:
Chapter 3: The Atmosphere (all)
Lab:
Lab 2: Radiation & Energy Balance (LM Exer. 2)
Radiation & Energy in the Atmosphere
Reading:
Chapter 4: Radiation & Energy (all)
Lab:
Lab 2 is due.
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Week 4
Tue. 2/7
Thu. 2/9
Atmospheric Temperature & Exam 1
Temperature Controls
Reading:
Chapter 5 Atmospheric Temperature (all)
Lab:
Lab 3: Atmospheric Temperature (LM Exer. 3)
Exam 1 (Chapters 1-5)
Exam 1
Lab:
Lab 3 is due
UNIT 2:
WEATHER & CLIMATE SYSTEMS
Week 5 Atmospheric & Ocean Circulation
Tue. 2/14
Atmospheric Circulation
Reading :
Chapter 6: Atmospheric & Ocean Circulation (air pressure, controls,
cyclones & anticyclones, local scale wind, regional scale wind, global
scale circulation)
Lab:
Lab 4: Atmospheric Pressure, Circulation, and Wind (LM Exer. 4)
Thu. 2/16
Global Atmospheric Circulation & Ocean Circulation
Reading:
Chapter 6 (wind & pressure aloft, ocean circulation & atmospheric
circulation, future geographies)
Lab:
Lab 4 is due.
Week 6
Tue. 2/21
Thu. 2/23
Week 7
Tue. 2/28
Thu. 3/2
Atmospheric Moisture & Weather Systems
Atmospheric Moisture
Reading:
Chapter 7: Atmospheric Moisture (all)
Lab:
Lab 5: Atmospheric Moisture (parts of LM Exer. 5 & 6)
Weather Systems
Reading:
Chapter 8: Weather Systems (air masses, fronts, cyclogenisis)
Lab:
Lab 5 is due.
Weather & Climate Systems
Weather Systems
Reading:
Chapter 8: Weather Systems (weather & wave cyclones, severe
weather, future geographies)
Lab:
Lab 6: Midlatitude Weather & Weather Map Interpretation (LM Lab 7)
Climate Systems
Reading:
Chapter 9: Climate Systems (Elements of climate, climate
classification)
Lab:
Lab 6 is due.
Week 8
Tue. 3/7
Climate Systems and Exam 2
Climate Systems
Reading:
Chapter 9 (urban climates, future geographies)
Lab:
Lab 7: Climate Classification & Regional Climates (LM Exer. 8)
Thu. 3/9
Exam 2 (Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9)
Lab:
Lab 7 is due.
Spring Break: Week of 3/12/2012.
UNIT 3:
LANDFORMS & WEATHERING
Week 9
Tue. 3/20
Earth Structure
Earth Structure
Reading:
Lab:
Tectonics
Reading:
Lab:
Thu. 3/22
& Tectonics
Chapter 14: Earth Materials & Structure (all)
Lab 8: Introduction to Topographic Maps (LM 16)
Chapter 15: Tectonics & Landforms (all)
Lab 8 is due.
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Week 10
Tue. 3/27
Thu. 3/29
Week 11
Tue. 4/3
Thu. 4/5
Week 12
Tue. 4/10
Thu. 4/12
Igneous Landforms
Volcanic Landforms
Reading:
Chapter 16 (Features, distribution, types)
Lab:
Lab 9: Igneous Landforms (LM Exer. 16)
Volcanic Landforms
Reading:
Chapter 16 (hazards and episodes)
Lab:
Turn in Lab 9
Weathering, Erosion, and Fluvial Systems
Weathering & Mass Movement
Reading:
Chapter 17: Weathering, Mass Movement & Erosion (all)
Lab:
Lab 10: Fluvial Landforms (LM Exer. 19)
Water Erosion & Fluvial Landforms
Reading:
Chapter 18: Fluvial Systems (all)
Lab:
Lab 10 is due.
Glacial Geomorphology
Glacial Geomorphology
Reading:
Chapter 19: Glacial Systems (all)
Lab:
Lab 11: Glacial Landforms (LM Exer. 20)
Exam 3 (Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Lab:
Lab 11 is due.
UNIT 4:
HYDROSPHERE, BIOGEOGRAPHY & COASTAL SYSTEMS
Week 13
Tue. 4/17
Coastal & Eolian Landforms
Coastal Landforms
Reading:
Chapter 20: Eolian Systems (all)
Lab:
Lab 12: Coastal landforms (LM Exer. 21)
Reading:
Chapter 21 Coastal Systems (all)
Lab:
Lab 12 is due.
Thu. 4/19
Week 14
Tue. 4/24
Thu. 4/26
Week 15
Tue. 5/1
Thu. 5/3
Hydrosphere & Soil Moisture
Hydrosphere
Reading:
Chapter 10 (all)
Lab:
Lab 13: Soil Moisture Budgets (LM 9)
Soil Moisture
Reading:
Chapter 11: Soil Systems (weathering, horizon development,
properties)
Lab:
Lab 13 is due.
Biogeography & Biomes
Biogeography
Reading:
Chapter 12: Biogeography of the Earth
Lab:
Lab 14: Bioclimatic Transects (parts of LM 13 & 14)
Biomes, Climate, & Soils
Reading:
Chapter 13: Earth Biomes (all)
Lab:
Lab 14 is due.
Week 16:
Exam 4:
Exam Week
Tue. 5/10/2012 (tentative)
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