PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
SPRING 2016
TENTATIVE SYLLABUS
Instructor:
Office and Hours:
Email and Phone:
Website:
Class Time:
Dr. John Menzies
MS 27, M – 5-6 pm, T – 4-6 pm, W - 11-12 pm, R - 10-11 am
jmenzies@bakersfieldcollege.edu, 661-395-4563
www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/jmenzies
MW – 9:35 – 11 am
Required Text:
Christopherson, R.W. (2014) Geos. Custom ed. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall.
Course Objective: A study of the basic elements of physical geography and the world as a
system. Important elements include the atmosphere, weather and climate, geomorphology, and
Earth's structure. The main goal of the course is to provide students with a greater
understanding and appreciation for their physical environment, with special attention given to
terrestrial relationships.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the earth as an open physical system where all
elements interact with one another.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how the earth’s atmosphere, geology and
biological processes shape the earth’s surface.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the earth’s size, orientation and revolution in
space.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the global distribution of Earth’s weather,
climate, and landform features.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method as it applies to real world
geographic problems.
Etiquette:
The lectures presented in this course will enhance your understanding of
information provided in the textbook. It is essential that you take notes in
class in order to comprehend the course material—the responsibility of
the student. Failure to do so will ultimately result in an unsatisfactory
grade on tests. Attendance is also mandatory for each lecture period. If a
student obtains 1 absence before the census date (February 1), I will
drop the student from the class. After the census date, BC policy states
that if you miss 2 week’s worth of classes the instructor may drop you
from the course.
Withdrawal Deadlines: Last day to drop without a W on your record: January 31, 2016
Last day to drop with a W on your record:
April 1, 2016
Census Date: February 1, 2016
Grading:
During the course of the session, you will be required to complete eight
quizzes, three regular examinations (882-E scantron sheets required),
and a final examination (882-E scantron sheets required). The quizzes
are designed to provide understanding and help students learn attention
to detail and concentration. These exercises will provide both your
understanding and ability to comprehend course material in an effective
fashion. On-time completion of these elements of the course will help
secure a satisfactory grade. Important: If an exam, quiz or report
could not be attended or turned in on time, I require written
documentation in advance!!! If these rules are not abided by, makeups will not be permitted!!! Any excused assignments, quizzes, or
exams that are 1 week or more tardy cannot be turned in under any
circumstances!!!!
Grade Distribution: Element
8 Quizzes
3 Exams
Final Exam
Points Each
20
70
70
Total
160
210
70
College Grading Policy (+90% A, 89-80% B, etc.)
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.
Course Outline:
LECTURE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
LECTURE/EXAMS/QUIZZES
Introduction
Latitude and Longitude, GIS and Remote
Sensing
Quiz 1, Solar System
Solar System Film
Earth Sun Relationships, Profile of the
Atmosphere
Quiz 2, Air Pollution
Atmospheric Processes, Greenhouse
Effect
President’s Day!!!
Quiz 3, Temperature Controls, Marine vs.
Continental Climates
Exam # 1 Review, , Circulation and
Atmospheric Forces
Exam # 1
Exam # 1 Review, Cyclones and Jet
Streams, Ocean Currents
Quiz 4, Earth’s Water
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Adiabatic Processes, Air Masses and
Lifting Mechanisms
Quiz 5, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes,
Hurricanes
Climate Classification
Climatology Film
Spring Break!!!
Spring Break!!!
Climatology Film
Quiz 6, Exam # 2 Review
Exam # 2
Exam # 2 Review, Rock Types, Plate
Tectonics
Surface Properties, Folding and Faulting,
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Quiz 7, Weathering and Karst Landscapes
Fluvial Processes, Eolian Processes,
Quiz 8, Glacial Processes
Landform Film
Exam # 3 Review
Exam # 3
Final Exam Review
Final Exam
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services located at Student
Services Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to
better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.