Don Barrie, Geoscience Educator

GEOGRAPHY 101—PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (16 weeks)

Course Description

This course examines the major world patterns of the physical environment. The course covers the fundamental information and processes dealing with the earth's landforms, atmosphere, natural vegetation, water, and soils, along with the appropriate use of maps and charts. This course is of interest to anyone seeking an understanding of earth’s physical processes and mechanisms.

Student Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to: 

1.   Diagram the physical shape of the earth and its movement and be able to project it onto two-dimensional maps.

 2.   Arrange the major components of the earth's atmosphere in an organized, hierarchical manner and assess how the various forces create the global atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns. 

3.   Assess the importance of atmospheric moisture in interpreting the formation and classification of air masses and weather patterns and demonstrate how these patterns have changed over time. 

4.   Analyze the importance of the hydrologic cycle as it relates to groundwater and surface water. 

5.   Demonstrate how weathering and mass wasting relate to the formation of specific soils and compare and contrast the different soils found throughout the world. 

6.   Explain the forces operating within the earth's interior and evaluate how these forces have shaped and continue to shape the earth's surface features. 

7.   Distinguish between landforms shaped by eolian, glacial and coastal processes. 

8.   Examine and analyze how the physical features, processes, and forces of the earth contribute to the formation of various terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and biomes.

Prerequisites 

Advisory: completion of English 48 & 49, each with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or W5/R5.

You are expected to be able to read and write at the college level.  I highly recommend that you satisfy the minimum transfer requirements in English prior to taking this class.  Each exam will have a writing component, and there will be several writing assignments.   

Academic Calendar Dates

You are responsible for observing all important administrative deadlines, including add/drop, credit/no credit, and course withdrawal dates.  Check the class schedule or consult with Admissions regarding administrative deadlines.  Please be aware of the following dates and deadlines:

2/5/2010                      Last day to receive/process/pay for Add Codes & to Drop with no W recorded

2/8/2010                      Last day to drop w/refund and/or non-resident tuition

3/1/2010                      Last day to file a petition for Credit/No Credit

4/9/2010                      Withdrawal deadline/No drops accepted after this date 

Holidays (classes not in session) 

2/15/2010                    President’s Day

3/29-4/2/2010              Spring Break

Grading Policy

All students will receive a letter grade unless prior arrangements for credit/no credit have been made.  Grading will be based on a point system as described below:  

Total possible points: 525 pts, including: 4 exams (100 pts/ea), 8 short exercises (5 pts/ea), 4 homework assignments (15 pts/ea), 1 field trip assignment (25 pts). Final letter grades will be assigned as follows:   

Exams

There will be 4 exams throughout the semester.  Each exam will be designed to test a specific block of material generally corresponding with textbook material (see p. 6 for details); however, some course material may carry over to more than one exam.  Exam material will be taken from lectures, videos, homework assignments, in-class assignments, and reading material.  Exam questions may include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and discussion questions.  To prepare for exams, I recommend that you form a study group with at least one other person. Very often, someone else’s perspective can be helpful.  Also, if you have to explain something to one of your study partners, chances are you’ll learn the material better yourself.   

For each exam, please bring in 1 short Scantron Form 815-E (15 questions) for multiple choice/true-false questions.

Homework Assignments 

Four written homework assignments will be completed throughout the semester to help prepare you for exams. Homework assignments will consist of answering assigned questions from the textbook. 

Homework review questions & responses shall be typed and submitted via email to donbarrie@ymail.com.  Computer problems do not constitute a valid excuse for failure to submit homework assignments on time.  If your computer crashes, please submit your homework from a different computer. 

Homework assignments submitted up to 24 hours after the due date/time will be docked 25%. No homework assignments will be accepted after 24 hours from the due date.

Short Exercises 

Up to 8 short exercises (5 pts poss/ea; lowest score dropped) will be completed in or outside of class throughout the semester. These assignments are generally due at the end of the same class period in which they are assigned (or the very next class period in some cases) and cannot be made up.  The exercise with lowest score will be dropped, so you won’t be penalized for missing just 1 exercise). 

Field Trips  (see course website for details; 25 pts poss) 

The instructor will lead four weekend field trips (dates below), including two half-day, one full day, and one overnight trip, throughout the semester.

You are required to complete at least one field trip assignment throughout the semester. If you cannot or choose not to attend any of the instructor-led field trips, you may complete an alternate assignment in lieu of a field trip (see below).

Field trips, both instructor-led and self-guided, are designed to give students the opportunity to apply the scientific principles they're learning in class to actual situations in the natural world.  Students will not be tested on the details of the local environment, but rather on general principles, so those students who cannot attend an instructor-led field trip will not be penalized in any way, nor will they be at any disadvantage on exams. 

Instructor-led Field Trip Dates:

Sat, Feb 20th, 9 am to 1 pm (Tourmaline Beach & Mt. Soledad).

Sat, March 6th, 9 am to 2 pm (Torrey Pines State Beach; parking fee may be required).

Sat, April 10^th, 8 am to 4 pm (Cuyamaca/Laguna mountains and High Peak/Eagle Mines; $10 fee)

Overnight trip to Anza Borrego (date to be announced; camping/meal fee) 

Alternate Field Trip Assignments

Instead of attending an instructor-lead field trip, you may:

Complete a self-guided tour of the climate science display at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, entitled, “Feeling the Heat: the Climate Challenge” (see course website for details).

Attend a ranger- or docent-led walk and conduct a visitor center tour at Torrey Pines State Park or Tecolote Canyon Natural Park & Nature Center (see course website for details).

Extra Credit (up to 15 pts poss)

You can earn up to 10 points extra credit by completing a second field trip assignment (details below): 

If you attend one instructor-led field trip, you may earn 10 points extra credit by attending a second instructor-led field trip OR by completing one of the alternate field trip assignments listed above.   

If you complete one of the alternate field trip assignments listed above, you may earn 10 points extra credit by completing another alternate field trip assignment or by attending an instructor-led field trip. 

If you attend the weekend field trip (both days), you’ll earn 25 field trip points and 10 extra credit points. 

As opportunities arise, the instructor may also offer an additional 5 pts extra credit for participation in on-campus environmental stewardship events (e.g., films, public lectures, etc.) that relate to the course material. 

Cheating/Plagiarism

Don’t even think about it! Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will be subject to the disciplinary procedures given in District Policy 3100, which may include receiving a failing grade for the course.  Any cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of Student Affairs.  Specifically, the following behaviors are examples of cheating/plagiarism (this list is not exhaustive).

Using unauthorized notes while taking an exam.

Copying another student’s work (other than course notes) inside or outside of class.

Turning in homework identical or nearly identical to another student’s.

Copying from any source (including the Internet) without citing the source.

Turning in work completed for another class (unless pre-authorized by the instructor).

Passing off any work as your own that is not.  

Attendance Policy

Attendance is very important; therefore, attendance will be taken each day.  By District policy, you can be dropped from the course by the instructor with 2 unexcused absences; however, please do not assume that I will automatically drop you!  It is your responsibility to drop this course if you choose to stop attending. To inform me of an anticipated absence, please email me or leave a message in my box in the mailroom, K202. If you miss class, make arrangements with a classmate to keep yourself informed on lecture topics, handouts, and assignments.

Tardiness: Class begins at the set hour.  In a professional setting, tardiness is not acceptable.  It is disruptive to the learning environment. Promptness reflects professional courtesy and is expected.  My policy on tardiness is: two tardy arrivals equates to one absence.  Leaving a class early is the same as a tardy. 

Missed Exams 

Missed exams can only be made up if you meet the following three criteria: (1) you provide sufficient justification for missing the exam (e.g., illness); and (2) you provide adequate written documentation (i.e., doctor’s note, etc.), and (3) you notify me within 24 hours of a missed exam.  In this case, you will be given one opportunity to take an alternate exam during my scheduled office hours. 

Classroom Behavior 

You are expected to respect and obey all standards of student conduct while in class and on campus. The student Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedure, and student due process (Policy 3100 and Procedures 3100.1 and 3100.2) can be found in the Mesa College catalog, student handbook, and at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.

Please note that the following behaviors are not acceptable in class: (1) using your cell phone, except to enter due dates into your calendar, (2) sleeping, (3) talking excessively loud during a lecture such that you become a distraction to other students or the instructor, (4) sending text messages. If you engage in any of these behaviors, the instructor reserves the right to ask you to leave class. 

Accommodation of Disability 

If you have a disability and need academic accommodations, please notify me as soon as possible. 

Statement of Retention: 

It is Mesa College’s policy to encourage learning through student retention.  Therefore, if you are considering dropping this course after you have invested some time in it, please consult with me after class or make an appointment to see me.

Tentative Lecture Schedule and Related Reading Assignments

Course Points Tracker:

Exam 1 Score:______________(100 pts poss)

Exam 2 Score:______________(100 pts poss)

Exam 3 Score:______________(100 pts poss)

Exam 4 Score:______________(100 pts poss)

Homeworks: 1:_______, 2:_______, 3:_______, 4:_______ (60 pts poss)

Inclass Exercises: ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____ (40 pts poss)

Field Trip: __________ (25 pts poss)

Extra Credit: Field Trip________ (10 pts poss)    Add’l Extra Credit________(5 pts poss)

GEOGRAPHY STUDY TIPS

Time-tested strategies for maximizing success in Geography 101

Attend class on a regular basis.  Material discussed in class is presented in a different format and style than that found in the textbook.  Many valuable insights can be gained in class, that otherwise would be difficult to glean from the textbook.  In addition, I tend to emphasize on the exams what has been discussed in class.    

Use the course website.  It contains lots of good information you’ll find helpful. 

Visit me during scheduled office hours.  This is your chance to ask me questions outside of class, and to learn from other students who also come to the office hours.  Students who attend office hours generally do better on exams than those who don’t.  

Arrive to class prepared and on time.  Copy the lecture outline from the board and be ready to participate and take notes at the scheduled start of class. 

Complete all homework assignments on time. The homework is designed to reinforce the material presented in class and in the textbook, and is a significant part of the total points possible.  Start the homework assignments early and see me before it's too late if you need help. 

Read the assigned material in the textbook. The textbook reinforces the material presented in lecture.  The textbook is written from a different point of view and may provide additional insights into material discussed in lecture.

Complete all homework and work through the material in the study guide!  The majority of each exam is based on study guide and homework questions, so make sure you can answer all study guide/homework questions in detail.

Study and arrive prepared for exams. This class requires a lot of independent study from both the textbook and lecture material.  Exams may involve a combination of objective, short answer, and essay questions, as well as problem solving, slide identification, and map analysis and interpretation questions. Exams account for the majority of points possible for this class, so take them seriously and be prepared on test days.               

Take detailed notes of the lecture material. Take notes of not only the stuff I put on the board but also anything that helps you remember the material. Take notes in color-- bring colored pencils to class and use different colors to highlight vocabulary words & definitions, and to draw diagrams like I do on the board. 

Rework your notes after each lecture. Within 24-36 hours after lecture you should rewrite your notes, highlighting important themes and identifying vocabulary and/or concepts that are unclear to you.  You should then refer to your textbook to clarify anything you don’t understand in your notes.  If the textbook does not refresh your memory, please call me, send me an e-mail message, or stop by my office, and I can go over in more detail any problem areas.

Create flashcards to help you study. Make detailed flashcards of vocabulary and concepts learned in class. Always include real world examples if available, and try to make connections to other material learned in class or in the textbook.