1. Geography 110
Physical Geography
Reference # 3192
MTWTh 4:00 PM – 6:25 PM
Professor Lisa Schmidt

2. Important Information
• Professor Lisa Schmidt
• Ref. 3192
• 4:00-6:25 PM MTWTh
• Lisa.Schmidt@Chaffey.edu
• PS 221
• (909) 384-5221 Voice Mail
• (760) 440-8977 Text or Voice Mail
• http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com

3. Physical Geography
• Welcome to Geography 110, Physical
Geography. In this class, you will learn
the basic elements of geography. We will
study climate, landforms, water, soils,
native animal life and native vegetation.
We will examine the inter-relationships
between these things and we will look at
their patterns of distribution throughout the
world.

4. Textbooks
 Required
 McKnight’s Physical
Geography 11th Edition
 McKnight and Hess
 ISBN-13: 978-
0321820433
 Required
 Goode’s World Atlas
 ISBN 0-528-65000-3
 Or any recent World Atlas
that contains physical maps
 Recommended
 The Geography Coloring
Book
 Wynn Kapit
 978-0131014725
A digital version
of the text is
available, link
on web page.
Text can also be
rented at
Amazon, and a
Kindle edition is
available.

5. Required Materials
 Internet Access
 Pencils
 Pens
 Paper

6. Recommended Materials
 Colored Pens or Pencils
For map studies

7. Course Description
 The goal of this course is to introduce
students to basic concepts in physical
geography…
Since it is an introductory course, it is
assumed students have little or no
background in physical geography.

8. Course Objectives
 You will gain an understanding of the geographic
perspective within natural and environmental sciences,
including place, space, map scale, map projection,
spatial connection, and spatial diffusion.
 You will better understand how to use maps, in
particular, the geographic distribution of natural
phenomena.
 You will learn about the four environmental spheres,
atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere,
and how they interact across the surface of the Earth. In
particular, you will learn the role of humankind within the
environment.

9. Course Description
 Topics covered include the atmosphere, atmospheric
processes, weather, geographic patterns of climate, the
biosphere, soil and vegetation processes, the
hydrosphere, water in all of its phases, the formation,
modification, and distribution of various landforms, and
the lithosphere.

10. Assignments
 4 Exams 100 points each =
400 points
 14 Chapter Quizzes 10
points each = 140 points
 5 Map Quizzes 25 points
each = 125 points
 1 Presentation = 100 points
 100 Random Participation
Points
 Total Points Possible = 865
 100-90% 865-778 A
 89-80% 777-692 B
 79-70% 691-605 C
 69-60% 604-519 D
 59-0% 518-0 F
Note: You must earn at least
60% to pass this class. You
may be dropped for falling below
60%. Please refer to your syllabus.

11. Chapter Quizzes
 There will be a quiz for each
chapter in the textbook.
 Quizzes will be posted on
Blackboard after each lecture.
 Quizzes will be due one week
after they are posted by 3:30 PM.
 There will be 14 quizzes.
 The format will be multiple
choice, true/false, and or
matching.
 Quiz questions may be used
on exams.
 You will want to take notes from
your quizzes and study them.

12. Exams
 There will be four exams.
 Exams will be given using Blackboard.
 The format will be multiple choice, true and
false, and/or matching.
 Each exam will be worth 100 points.
 The final exam will be cumulative.
 A study guide will be available for each exam.

13. Map Quizzes
 We will study the physical features of Earth.
 You MUST bring your atlas to class on map
study nights.
 Colored pens or pencils will be helpful.
 You will have five map quizzes.
 North America 25 points
 South America 25 points
 Europe 25 points
 Asia 25 points
 Africa 25 points
 Total 125 points

14. Presentation/Project
 You are required to give a presentation for this Physical
Geography course.
 You will be able to choose from a list of topics.
 Presentations will be no less than five minutes but no
more than ten minutes long.
 Presentations MAY be done in groups WITH
INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL.
 Presentations will be scheduled. If you do not present
when you are scheduled, you will lose points.
 See the class web site for presentation details:
 http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/

15. Random PointsRandom Points
 At any time, I may give an assignment inAt any time, I may give an assignment in
class, like a quiz or an activity, or I mightclass, like a quiz or an activity, or I might
give another attendance check.give another attendance check.
 Points will be given for random activitiesPoints will be given for random activities
and if you are not present, you will notand if you are not present, you will not
receive those points.receive those points.
 Random activities will usually happen afterRandom activities will usually happen after
the break, but sometimes may happen atthe break, but sometimes may happen at
the very beginning of class.the very beginning of class.
 Being late or absent CAN hurt your grade.Being late or absent CAN hurt your grade.

16. Changes
 The dates, topics, assignments, and
due dates in the syllabus are tentative.
 There may be changes, it is your
responsibility to stay informed of
changes.

17. Late Work and Exams
 Late work ...
will not be accepted.
There will be no opening of quizzes or exams
after they close unless you have some
documented proof of an emergency.

18. Absences and Tardiness
 I reserve the right to drop students who miss
class twice.
 If you have to miss class, you should stay in contact
with me if you do not want to be dropped.
 You may be dropped for excessive tardiness.
 This means being more than five minutes late, more
than three times.
 If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take a
seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture.

19. Dropping
 It is your responsibility to drop if you
decide you want to.
 If you stop coming to class, I have no way
of knowing if you want to drop or receive
and F.
I will give F’s, it is your responsibility to drop.

20. Extra Credit
 Some extra credit may be assigned
throughout the semester.
 It will be announced in class and you must
be present in order to take advantage of it.

21. Academic Honesty
 Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.
Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will
be reported to the deans office.
Please refer to San Bernardino Valley
College’s policy on academic honesty.

22. Cell Phones and Texting
 Use of cell phones for
talking or texting during
class is inappropriate.
 You may be asked to
leave the classroom if you
are talking or texting on
your phone during lecture.
 Phones should be set to
silent mode when in class.

23. Disabilities
 If you need accommodations for this
course, please see me after class.
 If you have or think you may have a
disability that might affect your
performance in this course, please
contact the office of Disabled Students
Programs and Services at (909) 384-
4443.

24. Blackboard
 Blackboard will be used for this class.
You will need to log in to Blackboard to take
your quizzes and exams.
http://blackboard.valleycollege.edu
 If you have questions about blackboard, stay after
class, I am here to help.

25. Contact Information
 The best way to reach me is by e-mail.
 My e-mail address is:
Lisa.Schmidt@Chaffey.edu
 My mailbox is located the Chemistry building,
room 121.
 My voice mail is (909) 652-7090-this goes to my
e-mail.
 You may text me at (760) 440-8977 and you
can leave voice mail at this number too.

26. Note

27. Disruptive Behavior
 You may be asked to leave class if you
disrupt the learning process for others.
This includes talking during lecture or
during classmate's presentations. If you
are asked to leave, and disciplinary
action is taken, you may be suspended
from the next class meeting.

28. Course
Schedule

29. For Your Success

30. For Your Success

32. What is Geography?
 The scientific study of the Earth's surface
and its various climates, countries,
peoples, and natural resources.

33. Fields of Geography
 Human or Cultural Geography
Deals with social, economic, and behavioral
processes
 Physical Geography
Examines the natural processes occurring at
Earth’s surface that provide the physical
setting for human activities

34. Branches of Physical Geography
 Biogeography
 Climatology
 Coastal Geography
 Environmental Geography
 Geomorphology
 Glaciology
 Hydrology
 Oceanography
 Paleogeography

35. What we will be studying
 The atmosphere
 Atmospheric processes
 Weather and Climate
 The Biosphere
 Soil
 Vegetation
 Hydrosphere
 Tectonic Processes
 Volcanic Processes

36. What we will be studying…
 Four great physical realms or
spheres of Earth
 Atmosphere
 The gaseous layer that
surrounds the earth
 Lithosphere
 The outermost solid layer
of the Earth
 Hydrosphere
 The liquid realm of the
Earth
 Biosphere
 Encompasses all living
organisms of the Earth

37. Tools Geographers Use
 Maps
 Paper representations of space showing point, line, or area data
 Or more simply put, locations, connections, and regions
 Remote Sensing
 Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of earth’s surface
 GIS or Geographic Information Systems
 Powerful computer mapmaking software connected to data bases
 Mathematical Modeling and Statistics
 Used to understand natural and human phenomenon