Course Description
Survey of basic concepts and processes integrating the nature of the earth's three primary physical systems: the solid earth and continents; the ocean basins and the oceans; and the atmosphere's weather. Corequisite: GES 103L.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Students recognize the importance of how physical geography phenomena vary spatially and temporally.
- Students demonstrate an understanding of the influence of land-ocean interactions on weather and climate patterns and the distribution of climates.
- Students demonstrate an understanding of the spatial patterns/features of tectonic activity, including earthquakes and volcanic activity.
- Apply analysis to understand data.
- Construct and interpret data tables, charts, graphs, or other representations of data.
- Analyze and interpret data to evaluate and test hypotheses.
- Student learning related to MAC Data Analysis SLOs will be assessed through a series of exercises analyzing, constructing, and interpreting quantitative data from datasets to evaluate research questions and test hypotheses.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Exam 1* | 25% |
| Exam 2* | 25% |
| Exam 3* The lowest score of the first three exams will be dropped. | 25% |
| Exam 4 | 25% |
| Exercises (5 total, 3% each) | 15% |
| Quizzes (7 total, 2% each. Two lowest scores dropped) | 10% |
Grading scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93% | A |
| 90% | A- |
| 87% | B+ |
| 83% | B |
| 80% | B- |
| 77% | C+ |
| 73% | C |
| 70% | C- |
| 67% | D+ |
| 63% | D |
| 60% | D- |
| < 60% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Students are expected to attend all classes and be engaged in course activities. Missing or arriving late to class can lower your grade.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.