This document provides an overview of a physical geography course. It includes information about the instructor, class times and location, learning outcomes, required materials, assignments and grading scale. Key topics to be covered include the four environmental spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere), their interactions, and human impacts on the physical environment. Assessment will consist of exams, quizzes, a presentation, and map studies to evaluate students' understanding of these physical geography concepts.

1. Geography 4
Physical Geography
Secti on 78146
7:00 to 8:40 PM
M on/Tu es/W ed/Thu r s
Pr ofessor L i sa Schm i dt

2. Information
 Professor Lisa Schmidt
 Section 71890
 7:00 to 8:40 PM MTWTh
 PS 102
 E-mail: Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com
 Office Hours: By Appointment/After Class
 (909) 652-7090
 http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com

3. Student Learning Outcomes
 Geography 4 students will be able to
recognize and identify Plate Tectonic Theory
and its impact on Southern California.
 Students will be able to identify earth’s major
grid lines.
 Students will be able to understand and
describe why and how Santa Ana winds form
in Southern California.

4. Introduction
 Welcome to Geography 4, Physical
Geography.
 In this class you will learn the basic elements
of geography.
 We will study climate, landforms, water, soils,
native animal life and vegetation,
 We will examine the interrelationships
between these things and we will look at their
patterns of distribution throughout the world.

5. Textbooks
 Required
 Physical Geography A Landscape
Appreciation10th Ed.
 McKnight and Hess
 ISBN-13: 978-0321677341
 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

6. Alternate Texts
 You may also use
Physical
Geography: A
Landscape
Appreciation by
McKnight and Hess
 9th
edition
 ISBN 978-0-13-
223901-1
http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/Textbooks
A list of other texts is available on the class web page.

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

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

9. 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.
 Atmosphere
 Atmospheric Processes
 Weather
 Climate
 Biosphere
 Soil
 Vegetation
 Hydrosphere
 Landforms
 Lithosphere

10. Course Description
 Emphasis is on the processes driving
physical systems on Earth, interactions
between physical systems, and human
interaction with the physical environment.

11. 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.

12. Assignments
and
Grading Scale
Note: You must earn at least
60% to pass this class. You
may be dropped for falling below
60%. Please refer to your syllabus.
 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/Video = 100
points
 Random Points = 100 Possible
 Total Points Possible = 865

13. Chapter Quizzes
 There will be a quiz for each chapter
in the textbook.
 Quizzes will be posted on Moodle at the
end of each chapter, check the class
schedule.
 Quizzes will be due one week after they
are posted by 6:30 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.

14. Exams
 There will be four exams.
 Exams will be given using Moodle-just like quizzes.
 They will open at 8:40 PM and close at 6:30 PM the next week.
 The format will be multiple choice, true and false, essay,
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.
 You get one chance to take exams.

15. 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
 Maps quizzes will be on Moodle too!
 You get one week, two chances, open at 8:40
PM and close at 6:30 PM the next week.

16. Presentation
 You are required to give a presentation for this class.
 You will be able to choose from a list of topics.
 Presentations must be 5 minutes long.
 Presentations may be done in groups or alone-groups
require instructor approval.
 You may make a video as an alternative-videos require
instructor approval too.
 Schedule: Note you must go on your scheduled day or
you will lose points.
 See the class web site for paper details:
 http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/

17. Random Points
 At any time a pop quiz, exit
question, attendance check,
worksheet or other activity may be
given. Your attendance is
necessary to receive these points.

18. 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.

19. 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.
 You may be dropped for excessive tardiness.
 Coming in late is disruptive to your classmates.
 If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take a seat
WITHOUT interrupting lecture.
 Excessive tardiness is being more than five minutes late three
times.
 If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes,
or ANY other information, including schedule changes.

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. Late Work / Exams / Quizzes
 Late work is not accepted unless
you have written documentation
proving a legitimate reason for
being late.
Unless you have documentation
exams or quizzes missed on
Moodle WILL NOT be reopened.

22. 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.

23. 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 Chaffey College’s policy on
academic honesty.

24. Cell Phones and Texting
 Use of cell phones for talking
or texting during class is
inappropriate because it is
distracting to your classmates.
 If you need to use your
phone, go outside.
 Phones should be set to silent
mode when in class.

25. Disabilities 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 (909) 652-
6379, or go see them at CCE 14.

26. Moodle
 Moodle will be used for this class.
You will take your tests and quizzes on
Moodle.
http://moodle2.chaffey.edu/
 If you have questions about Moodle, stay after
class, I am here to help.

27. Class Web Page
 A web page has been created for this
class.
 You can access it at:
http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispace
s.com/
 You will find PowerPoint's, maps, videos,
study guides and more on the class web
page.

28. Contact Information
 The best way to reach me is by e-mail.
 My e-mail address is:
Lisa.Schmidt@chaffey.edu
 I have a mailbox on the Chino campus
and in Zimmerman Hall on the main
campus.
 My voice mail is (909) 652-7090
 I do not check my voice mail as often as
my e-mail.

29. Note
 All dates, topics, points totals, and
assignments are tentative.
 I reserve the right to make changes
should it become necessary during the
semester.

30. Disruptive Behavior
 You may be asked to leave class if you
are disruptive to the learning process of
others.
 For example, talking during lecture or
during your classmates presentations.
 If you are asked to leave, you may be
suspended from the next class as well, if
disciplinary action is taken.

31. Course
Schedule

32. Course
Schedule
Part Two

33. For Your Success
 There are many resources on your campus. Computers are
available for student use in the library. The Success Centers
offer a wide range of services including tutoring and workshops.
There is a Student Health Center on the campus to help you
with your physical and mental health needs. Guidance
counselors are available too. Take advantage of the service
available to you and if you have questions, ASK!

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

35. 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

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

37. Branches of Human Geography
 Cultural Geography
 Developmental Geography
 Economic Geography
 Medical Geography
 Historical Geography
 Political Geography
 Population Geography
 Demography
 Transportation Geography
 Urban Geography

38. 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

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

40. 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