2. What is Geography?
The scientific study of the Earth's surface
and its various climates, countries,
peoples, and natural resources.
3. Fields of Geography
Human or Cultural Geography
Dealswith social, economic, and behavioral
processes
Physical Geography
Examines the natural processes occurring at
Earth’s surface that provide the physical
setting for human activities
5. Branches of Human Geography
Cultural Geography
Developmental Geography
Economic Geography
Medical Geography
Historical Geography
Political Geography
Population Geography
Demography
Transportation Geography
Urban Geography
6. What we will be studying
The atmosphere
Atmospheric processes
Weather and Climate
The Biosphere
Soil
Vegetation
Hydrosphere
Tectonic Processes
Volcanic Processes
7. 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
8. 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
9. Textbooks
Required
Physical Geography
California Edition 2nd Ed.
McKnight and Hess
ISBN-13: 978-
0558585976
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
12. Course Description
The goal of this course is to introduce
students to basic concepts in physical
geography…
Sinceit is an introductory course, it is
assumed students have little or no
background in physical geography.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Grading Scale
4 Exams 100 points each = 100-90% 865-778 A
400 points 89-80% 777-692 B
14 Chapter Quizzes 10 79-70% 691-605 C
points each = 140 points 69-60% 604-519 D
5 Map Quizzes 25 points 59-0% 518-0 F
each = 125 points
1 Presentation = 100 points
100 Random Participation
Points Note: You must earn at least
Total Points Possible = 865 60% to pass this class. You
may be dropped for falling below
60%. Please refer to your syllabus.
16. 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 5:30 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.
17. 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.
18. 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
19. Presentation
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/
20. Random Points
At any time, I may give an assignment in
class, like a quiz or an activity, or I might
give another attendance check.
Points will be given for random activities
and if you are not present, you will not
receive those points.
Random activities will usually happen after
the break, but sometimes may happen at
the very beginning of class.
Being late or absent CAN hurt your grade.
21. 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.
22. Late Work and Exams
Late work will not be accepted.
Assignments are due on their stated due
dates.
No make-up exams or quizzes.
Do NOT ask to have quizzes or exams
reopened after their due dates.
23. Absences and Tardiness
I reserve the right to drop students who miss
class twice.
Ifyou 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.
24. Last Day to Turn in Work
The last day that extra credit work or late
work (if it has been approved), will be
accepted is May 14th.
No exceptions will be made.
25. Dropping
If you decide to drop, you must do it
formally.
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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
Use of a cell phone for texting or talking
during a quiz or exam is absolutely
forbidden.
If you are caught using your phone during a
quiz or exam, you will receive a grade of 0
points for that quiz or exam.
29. 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.
30. Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for this class.
You will find PowerPoint lectures, study
guides, blank maps, research assignments,
and extra credit assignments, quizzes, and
grades on blackboard.
http://blackboard.valleycollege.edu
If you have questions about blackboard, stay after
class, I am here to help.
31. Contact Information
The best way to reach me is by e-mail.
My e-mail address is:
Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com
My mailbox is located the Chemistry
building, room 121.
My voice mail is (909) 384-5221
I do not check my voice mail as often as
my e-mail.