GEOS 130
Physical Geography (PS) (GE)
1. Catalog Entry
GEOS 130
Physical Geography (PS) (GE)
Credit hours (4)
Three hours lecture and two hours asynchronous online labs and fieldwork.
Introduction to the physical geography of the Earth (atmospheric systems, biosphere,
and landforms) and the interrelationships among various environmental elements.
Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.
2. Detailed Description of Course
This course will introduce students to the physical geography of the Earth. The major
topics covered in this course are those considered fundamental to a comprehensive
introduction to physical geography. These include:
1) Dimensions of the Earth, latitude and longitude
2) Structure of the atmosphere
3) Global patterns of the major variables determining world climate regions (temperature,
pressure, winds, ocean currents, precipitation)
4) Climatic classification
5) Introduction to biomes
6) Introduction to landforms
7) Internal processes of landform genesis
8) Weathering and mass movement
9) Fluvial processes and landforms
10) Selected landform regimes, such as coastal, arid lands and/or glacial
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course will consist primarily of lectures, supplemented with geospatial laboratory
exercises, and field trips, with heavy emphasis on graphic representations of global
processes and patterns. Lab activities involve fieldwork, research, applied projects
and other learning opportunities.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed this course the student will be able to:
1) Describe and analyze the fundamentals of the dynamic processes which continuously
influence change in the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere,
and the surface landforms across the Earth.
2) Describe and analyze the basic interrelationships among natural processes and
distribution patterns of natural phenomena at global scales
5. Assessment Measures
Assessment of the student鈥檚 success in the course is based on the grades from two
or more midterm examinations, homework, in-class and online asynchronous laboratory
assignments, and a comprehensive final exam. Students will also be required to complete
a final project with a presentation to the class.
6. Other Course Information
None.
Review and Approval
April 21, 2014 Rick Roth, Chair
January 1, 2010 Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair
September 9, 2005 Bernd H. Kuennecke, Chair
March 01, 2021