Course Information
Title: GGS 102 Physical Geography
CRN: 10942
Time: 4:30 -7:10 PM, Thursdays, 01/22-05/15/2019
Location: Planetary Hall 131
Instructor: Prof. John Qu , and TA: Mr. Jin Lee
Telephone: (703) 993-3958
Office: Room 2412, Exploratory Hall
Office Hour: Stop by 10:00am — 12:15PM Thursdays or make appointment
TA Office Hour: Friday 10:00am – 1:00 PM or by appointment (Office 2400B)
Course Description
This is an introductory course to physical geography. This course will introduce the students to the basic concepts and fundamentals of the Earth system. The course will cover earth-sun relations, weather, climate, soils, vegetation, geology, and landforms; and introduce the students to types and uses of maps. Physical characteristics of the Earth system and “Earth form Space” will be the focuses. Through this Mason natural science core course, students explore new ideas, engage in inquiry and experiential learning, and learn how to integrate this learning into their chosen major and beyond. It will incorporate the diverse of Google Earth.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites.
Schedule
| Week one | 01/24 |
Introduction
Chapter 1: Earth as a Rotating Planet |
| Week two | 01/31 |
Chapter 2: The Earth’s Global Energy Balance
Chapter 3: Air Temperature
|
| Week three | 02/07 |
Chapter 4: Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation
(Quiz One)
|
| Week four | 02/14 |
Chapter 5: Winds and Global Circulation
Chapter 6: Weather Systems
|
| Week five | 02/21 |
Chapter 7: Global Climate
Chapter 8: Biogeographic Processes
(Quiz Two)
|
| Week six | 02/28 |
Chapter 9: Global Biogeography
Chapter 10: Global Soils
|
| Week seven | 03/07 |
Chapter 11: Earth Materials and Plate Tectonics
Mid-term
|
| Week eight | 03/14 |
Spring break |
| Week nine | 03/21 |
Chapter 12: Tectonic and Volcanic Landforms
Chapter 13: Weathering and Mass Wasting
|
| Week ten | 03/28 |
Chapter 14: Fresh Water of the Continents
Chapter 15: Landforms Made by Running Water
(Quiz Three)
|
| Week eleven | 04/04 |
Google Earth Demonstration and Group Project Meetings (Mr. Jin Lee)
|
| Week twelve | 04/11 |
Chapter 16: Landforms Made by Waves and Wind
Chapter 17: Glacial Landforms and the Ice Age
|
| Week thirteen | 04/18 |
Final Group Project Presentations
(Quiz Four)
|
| Week fourteen | 04/25 |
Final Group Project Presentations
|
| Week fifteen | 05/02 |
Preparing group project papers
|
| Week sixteen | 05/09 |
Final group project papers (due date)
|
Final project
The description of the individual Final Project can be discussed in the classroom.
Grading
Grades will be based upon your performance on the homework exercies, midterm, class attendance and final term paper and presentation. The weighted contribution of each of these utems
to your final grade is:
- Homework
10%
- Tests/quizzes 15%
- Midterm
20%
- Final Exam 30%
- Final Project 20%
- Class attendance and discussions 5%
(A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79,
D=60-69, F=<60)
Textbooks
Required Textbook:
Introducing Physical Geography, Alan Strahler, Wiley, 6th Editions
