GEOG 210 Physical Geography (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences with Lab; General Transfer Elective
Course Description
The student will learn about the processes that produce natural physical landscapes and weather phenomena. The course should result in an enhanced appreciation of the landscapes of the world. Physical geography will introduce you to climatology, the science that deals with the study of earth’s weather systems and weather patterns, geomorphology, the science that deals with the study of landforms, their formation and change over time and biogeography, natural vegetation types and their distribution, as well as soils. Fulfills laboratory science credit at Pierce College.
Course Content
A. Earth Sun Relationships
B. The Earths Energy Balance
C. Air Temperature
D. Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation
E. Atmospheric Winds and Global Circulation
F. Weather Systems
G. Global Climates
H. Global Ecosystems
I. Earth Materials
J. The Lithosphere and Plate Tectonics
K. Volcanic and Diastrophic Landforms
L. Weathering and Mass Wasting
M. Landforms Made by Running Water
N. Glacial Landforms and the Ice Age
Student Outcomes
1. “Articulate” some fundamental relationships between the physical and cultural aspects of geography;
2. Determine the reasons for the spatial variation of solar radiation and how Earth’s climate is affected;
3. Use and appraise some of the tools and methods geographers use, e.g., computer software that links component disciplines in data collection, analysis, and interpretation;
4. Construct an atmospheric pressure pattern map of the world from existing data sets and explain how these patterns are generated and in turn affect other patterns related to climate, distribution of precipitation, plants, animals, and people;
5. Describe significant fundamental relationships between climate, plate tectonics, rocks, and landforms as manifested in Earth’s stream patterns;
6. Examine significant relationships between land, water, air, and ice as components of biogeochemical cycling on Earth;
7. Identify sets of processes that govern Earth’s fundamental surface morphology;
8. Identify the spatial distribution of geohazards, e.g., earthquakes, groundwater pollution, flooding, landslides, both spatially and temporally and the role of people’s activities.
Degree Outcomes
Natural Sciences: Graduates use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate authenticity of data/information relative to the natural world.
Information Competency: Graduates will be able to seek, find, evaluate and use information and employ information technology to engage in lifelong learning.
Critical Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and generate ideas; construct informed, meaningful, and justifiable conclusions; and process feelings, beliefs, biases, strengths, and weaknesses as they relate to their thinking, decisions, and creations.
Lecture Contact Hours 40
Lab Contact Hours 20
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 60
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