This document provides an overview of a physical geography course. It outlines that the course will introduce students to concepts in physical geography, including the four spheres of Earth (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere) and their interactions. The document details the course objectives, materials, assignments including exams, quizzes, presentations and a final. It also provides the instructor's contact information and policies on late work, absences, and academic honesty.

1. Geography 110
Physical Geography
Section 4100
Tuesday 6:00-8:50 PM
Professor Lisa Schmidt

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

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

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

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

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

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.
 See the class web site for presentation details:
 http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/

20. Course
Schedule

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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 Dec 4th.
 No exceptions will be made.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.