Physical Elements of Geography
BakersfieldCollege
Fall 2015
Tentative Syllabus
Instructor:Dr. John Menzies
Office and Hours:MS 27,M – 5-6 pm, T – 4-6 pm, W - 11-12 pm R - 10-11 am
Email and Phone:, 661-395-4563
Website: www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/jmenzies
Class Time: M – 6 - 9:10 pm
Required Text:Christopherson, R.W. (2014) Geos. Custom ed. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall.
Course Objective: A study of the basic elements of physical geography and the world as a system. Important elements include the atmosphere, weather and climate, geomorphology, and Earth's structure. The main goal of the course is to provide students with a greater understanding and appreciation for their physical environment, with special attention given to terrestrial relationships.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the earth as an open physical system where all elements interact with one another.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how the earth’s atmosphere, geology and biological processes shape the earth’s surface.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the earth’s size, orientation and revolution in space.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the global distribution of Earth’s weather, climate, and landform features.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method as it applies to real world geographic problems.
Etiquette:The lectures presented in this course will enhance your understanding of information provided in the textbook. It is essential that you take notes in class in order to comprehend the course material—the responsibility of the student. Failure to do so will ultimately result in an unsatisfactory grade on tests. Attendance is also mandatory for each lecture period. If a student obtains 1 absence before the census date (September 8), I will drop the student from the class. After the census date, BC policy states that if you miss 2 week’s worth of classes the instructor may drop you from the course.
Withdrawal Deadlines: Last day to drop without a W on your record: September 6, 2015
Last day to drop with a W on your record: October 30, 2015
Census Date: September 8, 2015
Grading:During the course of the session, you will be required to complete seven subject reports, eight quizzes, three regular examinations (882-E scantron sheets required), and a final examination (882-E scantron sheets required). The quizzes are designed to provide understanding and help students learn attention to detail and concentration. These exercises will provide both your understanding and ability to comprehend course material in an effective fashion. For the subject reports, you will be required to write (typed or handwritten legibly) a couple of pages regarding a physical geography topic of interest. The topic should be a reflection of what has been discussed recently in class, but not a reproduction of the lecture notes. Information may be obtained from the library or internet, but not plagiarized. I will give you much leeway on your subject reports. Drawing pictures is highly encouraged because geography is a visual discipline. Your reports will be graded based on their length (must be at least 2 typed pages long) and content (must consist of new material not discussed in lecture). In addition, each report must cite a minimum of 3 references, one of which must be the textbook. Any standard citation system is acceptable. On-time completion of these elements of the course will help secure a satisfactory grade. Important:If an exam, quiz or report could not be attended or turned in on time, I require written documentation in advance!!! If these rules are not abided by, make-ups will not be permitted!!! Any excused assignments, quizzes, or exams that are 1 week or more tardy cannot be turned in under any circumstances!!!!
Grade Distribution:ElementPoints EachTotal
7Subject Reports 10 70
8 Quizzes 20 160
3 Exams 70 210
Final Exam 70 70
College Grading Policy (+90% A, 89-80% B, etc.)
Plagiarism: BakersfieldCollege does not tolerate academic misconduct such as
plagiarism. If a students’ assignment is found to be copied directly from
another source, the instructor reserves the right to award an F to that
student for the assignment. Be aware that students’ work can be verified
for its originality at
Course Outline:
Week / Lecture/Exams/Quizzes1 / Introduction, Defining Geography
2 / Latitude and Longitude, GIS and Remote Sensing, Solar System Film
3 / Labor Day Holiday!!!
4 / Quiz 1, Subject Report # 1 due, Solar System, Earth-Sun Relationships, Profile of the Atmosphere
5 / Quiz 2, Subject Report # 2 due, Air Pollution, Atmospheric Processes, Greenhouse Effect
6 /
Quiz 3, Temperature Controls, Marine vs. Continental Climates, Exam #1 Review
7 / Exam # 1, Subject Report # 3 due, Circulation, Atmospheric Forces, Cyclones and Jet streams, Ocean Currents8 / Exam #1 Review, Quiz 4, Earth’s Water, Adiabatic Processes
9 / Quiz 5, Subject Report # 4 due, Air Masses, Lifting Mechanisms, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Climate Classification
10 / Quiz 6,Climatology Film,Exam # 2 Review
11 / Exam # 2,Subject Report # 5 due, Rock Types, Plate Tectonics, Surface Properties, Folding and Faulting,
12 / Exam # 2 Review, Quiz 7, Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Weathering and Karst Landscapes
13 / Landform Film, Subject Report # 6 due, Fluvial Processes, Eolian Processes,
14 /
Quiz 8,Glacial Processes, Exam # 3 Review
15 / Exam # 3, Subject Report # 7 due, Final Exam Review16 / Final Exam
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs and Services in the Student Services Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.