This document provides an overview of the Physical Geography course. It outlines that students will learn about the basic elements of geography including climate, landforms, water, soils, plants and animals. It also lists required materials and textbooks. The course goals are to introduce students to physical geography concepts and help them explain natural Earth processes and ecosystems. The grading structure and expectations are also summarized.

1. Physical Geography
Geography 101
Professor Lisa Schmidt
Section 42134
Monday 6:30-10:05 PM

2. Welcome to
Geography 101!
• In this class you will learn the
basic elements of geography.
• We will study climate,
landforms, water, soils, and
native plants and animals.
• We will examine the inter-
relationships between these
things and we will look at
their patterns of distribution
throughout the world.

3. Textbooks
• Required
– Physical Geography
California Edition
• McKnight and Hess
• ISBN 0-558-11417-2
• 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

4. Alternate Texts
• You may use older editions of this book.
• Details can be found here:
http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/Textbooks

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

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. • By the end of this course
you should be able to do
the following:
– Explain why we have
seasons
– Describe the function and
composition of the
atmosphere
• Discuss the earth's
hydrologic cycle
– Describe the structure of
the solid earth and relate
it to phenomena such as
earthquakes, mountain
ranges and volcanoes
– Evaluate the effects of the
atmosphere and the
hydrosphere on the
Course lithosphere
– Compare and contrast the
earth's ecosystems
Objectives – Identify various landforms
– Be more geographically
literate!

9. Grading Scale
• 3 Exams 100 points each =
• 100-90% 765-688 A
300 points • 89-80% 687-612 B
• 14 Chapter Quizzes 10
points each = 140 points • 79-70% 611-535 C
• 5 Map Quizzes 25 points
each = 125 points • 69-60% 534-459 D
• 1 Presentation = 100 points • 59-0% 458-0 F
• 100 Random Points=100
points Note: You must earn at least
• Total Points Possible = 765 60% to pass this class. You
may be dropped for falling below
60%. Please refer to your syllabus.

10. Exams
• There will be three
exams.
• You will need to log in
to Blackboard for each
exam.
• The format will be
multiple choice, true
and false, and/or
matching.
• Each exam will be
worth 100 points.
• Exams will close at
6:00 PM on their due
dates.

11. Chapter Quizzes
• There will be a quiz for each chapter we cover
in the textbook.
– Quizzes will be posted on Blackboard after each
lecture.
• You must be connected to the internet to complete the
quizzes. See syllabus for campus locations.
– Quizzes will be due one week after they are posted
by 6:00 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. 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.
• Map Quizzes will be given using Blackboard and
will also close at 6:00 PM.
– North America 25 points
– South America 25 points
– Europe 25 points
– Asia 25 points
– Africa 25 points
• Total 125 points

13. Presentation
• A presentation is required
for this class.
• Presentations will be no
less than five minutes
and no more than ten.
• You may choose from a
list of topics.
• Presentations MAY be
done in groups with
instructor approval.
• A video may be created
as an alternative to a
presentation.

14. Random Points
• These may be
assigned at any time
during this course.
• This could be and
assignment or simply
an attendance check.

15. Late Work
• Late work will not be
accepted.
• Do not ask to have
quizzes or exams
opened if you miss
them.

16. Absences and
• I reserve the right to drop Tardiness
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.

17. E-mailing Assignments/My
Mailbox
• Assignments will NOT
be accepted by e-mail.
• If you cannot make it
to class, take your
assignment to my
mailbox which is
located in the Liberal
Arts Building, where
the faculty offices and
secretaries are
located.

18. 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. 3rd.
• No exceptions will be
made.

19. 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.

20. Graded Work
• It is your
responsibility to pick
up graded work.
• You should keep all
of your graded work
until you receive your
final grade.
– Not only for this class
but all of your classes!
• All graded work will
be held for 30 days
after the end of the
semester then
discarded.

21. • 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.

22. 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 Victor
Valley College’s policy
on academic honesty.

23. 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.

24. Blackboard
• Blackboard will be used
for this class.
• You must use Blackboard
for your quizzes, map
quizzes, and exams.
– You will also find
PowerPoint lectures, study
guides, blank maps, grades
and course documents.
– http://vvc.blackboard.com
• If you have questions about
blackboard, stay after
class, I am here to help.

25. Disabled Students Programs and
Services
• 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 (760) 245-4271 ext,
2212, or stop by their office located in building 50.
• There is help available.

26. 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
Liberal Arts Building (Building
30, our building)
• My voice mail is (760) 245-
4271 ext. 8585.
– I do not check my voice mail as
often as my e-mail.

27. Note bout Schedule
and Topics
• All dates, topics, point totals, and assignments are
tentative.
• I reserve the right to make changes as they may
become necessary throughout the semester.
• Should you happen to miss class, it is you
responsibility to obtain information about any changes.

28. Class Schedule…
• Please take a
moment to look at
the schedule in
your syllabus.
• Notice when
quizzes are due,
when map studies
are, when exams
are, and when
presentations
begin.

29. For Your Success
• There are computers
available for your use
on campus in the
library and in the ATC.
– See the map on the
syllabus…

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

31. 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

32. Branches of Physical Geography
• Biogeography
• Climatology
• Coastal Geography
• Environmental Geography
• Geomorphology
• Glaciology
• Hydrology
• Oceanography
• Paleogeography

33. Branches of Human Geography
• Cultural Geography • Developmental
• Historical Geography Geography
• • Economic Geography
Political Geography
• • Medical Geography
Population
Geography • Transportation
• Demography Geography
• Urban Geography

34. 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

35. 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