GEOG 1110 - Physical Geography

1. Define, describe, illustrate, distinguish among or explain the use of maps, map scale, globes, map projections, and remote sensing.
2. Define, describe, illustrate, distinguish among or explain the various elements of the earth’s atmosphere, earth’s relation to the sun, incoming solar radiation, the ozone layer, the primary temperature controls, and the unequal heating of land and water.
3. Define, describe, illustrate, distinguish among or explain the weather makers (air temperature, air pressure, humidity, clouds, precipitation, visibility, and wind [including pressure gradient, the Coriolis force, and friction]).
4. Define, describe, illustrate, distinguish among or explain air masses, pressure systems, the various fronts and associated types of storms, weather symbols, monsoons, the various forms of precipitation, along with causes and effects of lightning.
5. Define, describe, illustrate or explain the hydrologic cycle, the characteristics and influences of the oceans and continents on the weather, the Southern Oscillation (i.e., El Nino), the effects of land/water distribution, and climates and their global distribution.
6. Define, describe, illustrate or explain the biosphere, including organisms (flora and fauna), food chains, ecosystems and relationships.Define, describe, illustrate or explain soils in terms of soil-forming processes, components, properties, and classification.
7. Define, describe, illustrate or explain the structure of the earth, the internal processes, weathering and mass wasting, fluvial processes, characteristics and processes of arid regions, processes of coastal and Karst topographical regions, the processes and characteristics of glaciation (mountainous and continental).
8. Define, describe, illustrate, distinguish among or explain specific impacts by humans on weather, climate, and on the ecosystem at large.
9. Perform tests and collect data to analyze and classifyweather, climate and landforms characteristics, processes, and impacts both quantitatively and quantitatively. This includes reading and extracting basic information from maps, diagrams, remote sensing devices, graphs, and tables.
10. Apply critical thinking skills such as inductive, deductive, and mathematical reasoning to solve problems using the scientific method. This includes interpreting maps, graphs and photos.
11. Recognize and discuss the effect of human activity on climate, climate change, the greenhouse effect, and on landforms at large.
12. Synthesize information from external, current sources and personal observations and discuss their relationships to class material.