MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Physical Geography Lab

Course: GPH112

First Term: 2019 Fall

Laboratory 1.0 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 the human environment via the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Practical experiences include earth-sun relationships, weather, climate, biomes, landform processes; mountain building and erosion by rivers, glaciers, waves and wind, topographic maps.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Illustrate the use latitude and/or longitude to identify locations/distances/time. (I) 2. Explain Earth-Sun relationships with their relationship to seasons and calculate solar angles. (II) 3. Summarize the different temperature controls and be able to calculate basic temperature variables. (III) 4. Investigate the forces for surface/upper air flow and reproduce global circulation. (IV) 5. Define the basic moisture variables and summarize moisture controls and their impact on precipitation. (V) 6. Demonstrate the differences in a stable and unstable atmosphere. (V) 7. Identify the different air masses/fronts and illustrate the changes in weather with the passing fronts. (VI) 8. Evaluate the formation/weather/statistics of tornadoes and hurricanes. (VI) 9. Practice identifying different climate classifications and their climate controls. (VII) 10. Recognize the controls to the spatial distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes and examine the relationship between these phenomena and plate tectonics. (VIII) 11. Interpret topographic maps along with the symbols and colors used on maps. (IX) 12. Investigate geomorphic processes operating in fluvial landscapes while summarizing the evolution of a river channel. (X) 13. Investigate geomorphic processes operating in glacial landscapes while identifying glacial landforms on topographic maps. (XI) 14. Investigate geomorphic processes operating in coastal landscapes while distinguishing the evolution of coastal landforms. (XII) 15. Investigate geomorphic processes operating in desert/aeolian landscapes. (XIII)
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. Latitude and longitude A. Locational system B. Distances C. Time 1. Solar time 2. Local time II. Earth-sun relationships A. Aphelion and perihelion B. Seasons 1. Solar declination 2. Daylight hours C. Sun angles and radiation intensity III. Temperature A. Calculate temperature variables 1. Average 2. Range B. Temperature controls 1. Latitude 2. Land/sea 3. Elevation IV. Pressure A. Forces on wind 1. Pressure gradient force 2. Coriolis effect 3. Friction B. Local wind systems 1. Land/sea breeze 2. Mountain/valley breeze 3. Monsoon C. Global wind systems V. Moisture A. Calculate variables 1. Relative humidity 2. Dew point temperature B. Moisture controls 1. Atmospheric pressure 2. Convection 3. Orographic 4. Frontal VI. Weather A. Atmospheric stability B. Air mass C. Fronts D. Weather systems E. Jet stream F. Severe weather VII. Climate A. Climate classifications 1. Vegetation 2. Climate data B. Climate controls 1. Temperature 2. Moisture VIII. Plate tectonics A. Plate boundaries B. Volcanoes C. Earthquakes IX. Topographic maps A. Cultural features B. Elevations X. Fluvial landscapes A. River stability B. Drainage basins and stream order C. Fluvial landforms 1. Aggradation landforms 2. Degradation landforms D. River channels 1. Upper course (youthful) 2. Middle course (mature) 3. Lower course (old age) XI. Glacial landscapes A. Glacial dynamics B. Alpine glaciers and landforms 1. Aggradation landforms 2. Degradation landforms C. Continental glaciers and landforms 1. Aggradation landforms 2. Degradation landforms XII. Coastal landscapes A. Waves B. Coastal landforms 1. Aggradation landforms 2. Degradation landforms XIII. Desert landscapes A. Fluvial processes in deserts B. Aeolian landforms 1. Aggradation landforms 2. Degradation landforms C. Sand dunes

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.