Course Outline for Geography 1
Introduction to Physical Geography

Effective: Fall 2025
SLO Rev: 05/19/2016

Catalog Description:

GEO 1 - Introduction to Physical Geography

3.00 Units

This course is a spatial study of the Earth’s dynamic physical systems and processes. Topics include: Earth-sun geometry, weather, climate, water, landforms, soil, and the biosphere. Emphasis is on the interrelationships among environmental and human systems and processes and their resulting patterns and distributions. Tools of geographic inquiry are also briefly covered; they may include: maps, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
CB03: TOP Code 2206.00 - Geography
CIP Code 30.4401 - Geography and Environmental Studies
Course Grading: Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Activity 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Laboratory 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Clinical 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Work Experience 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and practical experience using the tools and concepts of physical geography (e.g., locational reference systems, geographic information systems, maps, remotely-sensed imagery) to the interpretation of spatial information (laboratory component).
  2. demonstrate an understanding of the size, shape, and movements of the Earth in space and their importance to environmental patterns and processes;
  3. apply knowledge of atmospheric processes, air/sea interactions, weather elements/events, and climate controls to the classification, properties, and distribution of world climate types;
  4. identify the major types of environmental evidence observed in monitoring climate change, as well as the causes and consequences of global warming;
  5. observe, describe, and explain the origins, characteristics, spatial distributions, interactions, and integrated patterns of climate, soils, vegetation, water resources and landforms;
  6. explain how landforms are the result of the interaction of internal tectonic forces and external geomorphic processes and apply that knowledge to an appreciation and understanding of specific landform origins, processes and types;
  7. apply knowledge of the distribution of resources, environmental hazards, and human-environmental interactions to rational decision-making processes and activities which affect the habitability of Planet Earth.

Course Content:

  1. Scientific Method
  2. Basics of physical geography
    1. Latitude and longitude
    2. Maps
    3. Map scale
    4. Equivalent versus conformal map projections
    5. Isolines
  3. Earth-sun relations
    1. Factors responsible for seasonality
    2. Changing patterns of angle of sunlight and day length throughout the year
  4. Introduction to the atmosphere
    1. Composition and structure of atmosphere
    2. Elements and controls of weather and climate
    3. The Coriolis effect
  5. Insolation and temperature
    1. Electromagnetic radiation
    2. Basic heating and cooling processes in the atmosphere
    3. The greenhouse effect in the atmosphere
    4. Earth's solar radiation budget
    5. Land-water temperature contrasts
    6. Global mechanisms of energy transfer-circulation of the atmosphere, surface ocean currents
    7. Global temperature patterns
  6. Pressure and wind
    1. Factors associated with formation of high pressure and low pressure cells
    2. Wind patterns associated with cyclones and anticyclones-surface versus upper atmosphere
    3. General circulation patterns in the atmosphere
    4. Monsoon wind patterns and localized winds
  7. Moisture in the Atmosphere
    1. Actual water vapor content versus relative humidity
    2. Temperature-relative humidity relationship
    3. Adiabatic processes in the atmosphere-dry adiabatic rate vs. saturated adiabatic rate
    4. Atmospheric stability and air lifting mechanisms
    5. Cloud forms and families
    6. Global precipitation patterns
  8. Fronts and storms
    1. Air mass source regions and fronts
    2. Midlatitude cyclones and anticyclones
    3. Tropical cyclones (hurricanes)
    4. Tools for forecasting severe weather
  9. Koppen Climate Classification
    1. Characteristics of climate classification
    2. Location and controls of global climate types
  10. Global climate change
    1. Mechanisms of natural and anthropogenic global climate change
    2. Evidence of anthropogenic climate change
  11. Biogeography and biomes
    1. Biogeochemical cycles
    2. Global pattern of biomes
    3. Biogeography interactions such as wildfire hazards and human fire suppression policies
  12. Basics of geomorphology
    1. Rocks
    2. Minerals
  13. Plate tectonics
    1. History and evidence supporting the model of plate tectonics
    2. Topographic features and tectonics of plate boundaries
      1. Divergent boundaries (spreading centers)
      2. Convergent boundaries
      3. Transform boundaries
    3. Mantle plumes and terranes
    4. Earthquake forecasting tools
  14. Volcanism
    1. Magmas and eruption styles
    2. Types of volcanoes-shield, composite, plug dome, cinder cone
    3. Volcanic hazards-volcanic mudflows and pyroclastic flows
  15. Diatrophism
    1. Folded lanscapes
    2. Types of faults-normal, reverse, thrust, strike-slip
    3. Landforms associated with faulting
  16. Weathering
    1. Mechanical weathering
    2. Chemical weathering
  17. Mass wasting
    1. Creep (soil creep)
    2. Fall (rockfall)
    3. Slide-landslide and slump
    4. Flow-earthflow and mudflow/debris flow
    5. Landslide and mudflow hazards in urban areas
  18. Fluvial geomorphology
    1. Fluvial erosion, transportation and deposition
    2. Floodplain processes and landforms
    3. Effect of flooding on human activities and property
    4. Stream drainage patterns
    5. Stream rejuvenation
  19. Groundwater and Karst Topography
    1. Karst processes and landforms
    2. Hydrothermal features
  20. Desert processes and landforms
    1. Special conditions in deserts
      1. Desert hydrology
      2. Role of wind-sand dunes
    2. Characteristic landforms in deserts
  21. Coastal processes and landforms
    1. Special processes along coastlines
      1. Waves
      2. Tides
      3. Long-term sea level changes
      4. Coastal sediment transport
    2. Depositional landforms and sediment budget
    3. Shorelines of submergence and emergence
    4. Coral reef shorelines
  22. Glaciation
    1. The Pleistocene Epoch
    2. Glacial erosion, transportation, deposition, and glaciofluvial processes
    3. Landforms associated with continental glaciation
    4. Landforms associated with mountain (alpine) glaciation

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Hands-on Applications
  2. Interactive discussions and exercises
  3. Lecture/Discussion
  4. Distance Education

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Locate, identify, and label important meridians and parallels on the provided world map of the geographic grid.
  2. Take notes on all videos and occasional class animated demonstrations which will be submitted to the instructor for evaluation.
  3. Identify climate types using the Koppen classification system from selected weather station monthly data of temperatures and precipitation.
  4. View online animation, video, or GIS/GPS application and answer accompanying questions.
  5. Prepare and present a group presentation on the effects of climate change on ecosystems or the equilibrium of natural processes in the environment.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Hands-on applications exercises
  4. Final Examination or Project
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Assess the usefulness of the technologies of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing in observing and modeling physical processes
  2. Critically differentiate regional similarities and contrasts in climate types, landform styles, biomes
  3. Describe the individuals' role in his/her natural environment
  4. Identify techniques in observation that could be used to recognize and/or classify a roadside landform and rocktype

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Hess (2021). Physical Geography (13th). Pearson.
  2. Christopherson, R. and G. Birkeland (2017). Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography (10th edition). Pearson Education.
  3. Christopherson, R. and G. Birkeland (2020). Elemental Geosystems (9th edition). Pearson Education.
  4. Gervais, B. (2024). Living Physical Geography (2nd). Macmillan.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Earth's natural and physical environments, including: Earth-sun geometry, weather, climate, water, landforms, soil, the biosphere and integrated global environmental patterns. The effect of natural environments on human activities and how humans modify environments. Field trips may be included.

Discipline:
Geography*