Planet Earth Introduction to Physical Geography
	GEO 1040 - 01 Summer, 2009 6 - 30 July

Final Exam: Exam 4 is over the last section and is not cumulative.

Course Objectives:

This is an introductory course covering the fundamentals of physical geography by examining the structure of the Planet Earth and the processes of 1) the atmosphere and energy flows 2) the solid earth and its relation to the surface structure, and 3) the surface processes that affect the relief of the earth, all in relation to their effects upon humanity.

The course is divided into two major groupings: that of the atmosphere, and that of the earth's surface. Concepts continue through to the end of each group even though an exam may come before the end of a grouping. The two major divisions are connected by hydrology, the study of water on and under the surface of the earth.

Grading:

Examinations:

The examinations will cover 1) material from class, 2) the lab problems to that point, and 3) ALL reading assignments, whether covered in class or not. The Final Examination will cover the last section and last labs. There will be problems similar to those on the labs on the examinations.

Examinations will be held each Thursday during the allotted time for lab and will cover all material covered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning. I will give some time on Thursday for questions and review of the day's material before the exam.

Chapter Review & Review Question links:

Makeup Examinations:

There will be NO makeup examinations unless I am notified BEFORE the exam is given AND you have a doctor's notice or other proof; a makeup must be taken no later than 1 WEEK after the normal date of the given exam.

Late homework and lab assignments will NOT be accepted. Labs must be finished before leaving.

Labs:

Read chapter relating to the lab before coming (see reading assignments).

Bring your calculator to every lab!! Phone calculators may or may not work depending on the phone.

Evaluation of the labs will be made on the 4 examinations, testing your ability to repeat what you've done and how well you understand it. Approximately 50 points on each exam will be directly from the labs.

Assignments:

The reading assignment is given on the syllabus. The day that the assignment is listed is the day BY which it should be read.

Attendance:

You are expected to attend class and are responsible for material that is presented in class. Examinations will emphasize what is covered in class. As each day covers about a weeks' worth of regular semester materials, I would not consider missing a class.

Final Grade:

60% or above for all exams and lab exams is passing.

Assignments -- Should be read by the date listed:

Date	Event	Lab						Class	Daily Reading Assignment
Week 1
M July 6	Introduction - Course Expectations The Earth in Space 1 Earth-Sun Relationships 2 Scale, Projections, Lat, Long Topographic Maps Energy flow balance	1- Earth in Space						1	Chapter 1: Essentials of Geography Chapter 2: Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons Chapter 3: Earth's Modern Atmosphere
Tu 7	Atmospheric Pressure and Winds Coriolis Force -- Coriolis 2	2- Location & Time						2	Chapter 4: Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances Chapter 5: Global Temperatures
W 8	Atmospheric Circulation Humidity	3-Energy & Circulation						3	Chapter 6: Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations
Th 9	Lapse Rates and Inversions Air Masses and Fronts (Fronts2)	EXAM 1						4	Chapter 7: Water and Atmospheric Moisture
Week 2
M 13	Thunderstorms & Hurricanes	4 -Atmospheric Moisture						5	Chapter 7: Water and Atmospheric Moisture
Tu 14	Global Pressure, Winds, & Climate	5-Surface & Upper Atmosphere						6	Chapter 8: Weather
W 15	Climate Classification World Climate Practice Map Climate Koppen Practice Quiz	6-Climate Classification						7	Chapter 10: Global Climate Systems
Th 16	Climate Change	EXAM 2						8
Week 3
M 20	Plate Tectonics Folding & Faulting	7 - Isoline Maps						9	Chapter 11: The Dynamic Planet
Tu 21	Volcanism & Earthquakes Tectonic Landforms GeoHazards	8 - Plate Tectonics						10	Chapter 12: Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism
W 22	Weathering and Erosion	10 - Hydrology						11	Chapter 13: Weathering and Mass Movement
Th 23	Mass Wasting	EXAM 3						12	Chapter 14: River Systems and Landforms
Week 4
M 27	Fluvial Processes & Landforms Solution Landforms	11- Fluvial Landscapes						13	Chapter 13: Karst Landscapes
Tu 28	Desert Landforms	12 - Desert Landforms						14	Chapter 15: Eolian Processes and Arid Landscapes
W 29	Alpine Glaciation Continental Glaciation	13 - Alpine Glaciation						15	Chapter 17: Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms
Th 30	FINAL EXAM	EXAM 4						16
		Posted Grades