MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Physical Geography

Course: GPH113

First Term: 2019 Fall

Lecture 4.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: T - Lab Load

Description: Earth`s physical processes and impacts on human environments via the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Topics and practical experiences include severe weather, climate change, biomes and ecosystems, landform processes; mountain building and erosion by rivers, glaciers, waves and wind, topographic maps.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the scientific foundation of physical geography through exploration of the scientific method in the practice of scientific description and reasoning for analyzing spatial data across the Earth. (I, II) 2. Differentiate among map scales and analyze the importance of scale and projection to geographic spheres and spatial data. (II) 3. Analyze the spatial distribution of solar radiation across the Earth based upon the fundamental principles and equations of the Earth-Sun system. (III) 4. Examine the principles and processes for the transfer of energy across the Earth-Atmosphere system including analysis of the spatial distribution of energy in the atmosphere and across the Earth. (III) 5. Diagram and identify the generalized global pressure zones, circulation cells, and wind belts of the Earth. (III) 6. Investigate the nature of the hydrologic cycle through identification of transfer mechanisms and storage locations. (IV) 7. Identify transport processes and mechanics involved in the evolution of channel structure in rivers and streams. (IV) 8. Demonstrate the difference between erosional and depositional coastal processes and landforms using topographic maps. (IV) 9. Summarize the dynamics of glacial movement and glacial geomorphic processes and their role in the evolution of glacial landforms. (IV) 10. Discover the controls to the spatial distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes and examine the relationship between these phenomena and plate tectonics. (V) 11. Contrast the different weathering processes and analyze the impacts of weathered landscapes on the physical and cultural environment. (V) 12. Investigate geomorphic processes operating in deserts while contrasting the difference between aeolian and water created landforms. (V) 13. Determine and explain the main physical controls of climate and how those climate controls can vary across the Earth. (VI) 14. Identify natural and anthropogenic factors that influence climate change and address the potential for uncertainty and limitations with climate data. (VI) 15. Describe sustainability as a management strategy in relation to climate change and its impact on human behavior. (VI) 16. Evaluate essential Physical Geographic concepts by using laboratory and/or field exercises that provide hands-on exposure to scientific phenomena and methodology in Physical Geography to enhance the learning of course material. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Scientific foundation of physical geography A. Realms of geography B. Themes of geography C. Operations of natural systems D. Tools and methodology of scientific inquiry II. Tools of geography A. Location, place, patterns, interactions B. Maps 1. Scale 2. Projection III. Atmosphere A. Earth-sun relationship 1. Spatial, temporal distribution of solar radiation 2. Radiative response in earth-atmosphere system B. Weather variables 1. Temperature 2. Pressure and wind 3. Moisture C. Weather systems 1. Air masses and fronts 2. Mid-latitude cyclones 3. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes IV. Hydrosphere A. Hydrologic cycle 1. Storage locations 2. Transfer mechanisms B. River systems 1. Transport processes 2. Channel structure 3. Fluvial landforms C. Coastal processes 1. Wave function 2. Erosional and depositional landforms D. Cryosphere 1. Glacial movement 2. Glacial geomorphic processes 3. Glacial landforms V. Lithosphere A. Tectonics 1. Earth`s internal structure 2. Plate tectonics 3. Rocks and minerals 4. Earthquakes and volcanoes B. Geomorphology 1. Earth materials 2. Weathering a) Physical and chemical b) Karst topography 3. Desert geomorphic processes a) Wind landforms b) Fluvial landforms in the desert C. Mass wasting 1. Forces affecting slope stability 2. Slope failure classifications 3. Flow and slide movements VI. Biosphere A. Climate classifications 1. Classification based upon vegetation 2. Classification based upon climate data 3. Climate controls a) Temperature controls b) Pressure/moisture controls 4. Climate change a) Natural b) Anthropogenic B. Ecosystems C. Human-environment interaction 1. Adaptation and mitigation 2. Management through sustainability VII. Geographic laboratory topics A. Latitude, longitude, and time B. Sun angles and radiation. C. Temperature and temperature controls D. Pressure and wind E. Moisture and moisture controls F. Weather, air mass and fronts G. Climate and climate controls H. Plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes I. Topographic maps J. Fluvial landforms K. Glacial landforms L. Coastal landforms M. Desert landforms

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 25, 2019

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.