Introduction to Physical Geography - GEO 200 at Patrick & Henry Community College
https://courses.vccs.edu/colleges/phcc/courses/GEO200-IntroductiontoPhysicalGeography
Effective: 2023-05-01
Course Description
Examines the global patterns and processes of the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. Explores Earth?s physical systems and the interrelationships among them through studying Earth-Sun geometry, climate and weather phenomena, landforms, biomes, and environmental change.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
This course emphasizes scientific inquiry and the scientific method in the study of Earth?s natural systems. The course presents a survey of foundational knowledge essential for understanding Earth systems and human-environment relations.
Course Objectives
- Critical Thinking
- Analyze the interrelationships among Earth systems.
- Quantitative Literacy
- Read and interpret maps, climographs, and cross-sections.
- Construct representations of spatial data such as cross-sections or surface data charts.
- Interpret data and construct explanatory hypotheses.
- Civic Engagement
- Evaluate impacts of human activity on the environment.
- Written Communication
- Conduct analysis through written and/or oral communication.
- Scientific Literacy
- Describe the scientific methods that lead to scientific knowledge.
- Demonstrate empirical thinking to explain the physical science basis for theories such as plate tectonics, global energy balance, and global climate change.
Major Topics to be Included
- The Science of Physical Geography
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Describe the steps of the Scientific Method and apply to real-world problems
- Explain Earth Systems Theory and apply to real-world processes.
- Use geographic tools to identify specific locations on Earth.
- Read and interpret various types of maps.
- Describe and explain various geospatial technologies and their uses.
- The Lithosphere
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Diagram and explain the rock cycle.
- Label significant time periods and events in Geologic Time.
- Employ the theory of plate tectonics to describe the spatial distribution of volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
- Define and explain different types of weathering on various rock types.
- Describe classes of mass movement processes and explain precursors to events.
- Identify and classify landforms according to the main geomorphic agent (wind, ice, water).
- Classify soil types and describe their geographic distribution.
- The Hydrosphere
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Diagram or explain the hydrologic cycle model and describe transfer processes and storage locations of water.
- Describe the spatial distribution of surface water and groundwater.
- Summarize and explain impacts of human activity related to water resource management (such as dam construction or removal, groundwater mining).
- Classify and describe the origin and evolution of coastal, glacial, and fluvial landforms.
- The Atmosphere
- Describe the atmosphere in terms of composition, temperature and function.
- Describe the significance of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol.
- Employ Earth-Sun geometry to explain the changing seasons and day length at different latitudes.
- Describe Earth's energy balance.
- Define the greenhouse effect and distinguish from the phenomenon of global climate change.
- Identify factors that influence air pressure and describe how changes in air pressure generate winds.
- Construct or label diagrams to model global circulations of oceans and winds.
- Describe the significance of latent heat in atmospheric processes and human comfort.
- Identify forms of atmospheric moisture; describe adiabatic processes and connect to atmospheric stability.
- Label or interpret weather maps.
- Compare and contrast midlatitude and tropical cyclones in their formation, structure, and impacts on humans.
- Climate Change
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Identify lines of evidence in paleoclimatology that have allowed scientists to reconstruct past climate patterns.
- Describe evidence for and causes of current climate change.
- Discuss individual and collective strategies to address climate change.
- Biosphere
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Label or compare maps of climate regions and biomes.
- Describe characteristics of climate regions and biomes.
- Describe major biogeochemical cycles.