GEOG 1221 - Introduction to Physical Geography

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the basic processes that influence the characteristics and spatial relationships of climate, water cycle and vegetation. Students examine the interactions of solar energy with the Earth’s atmosphere and surface, and how atmospheric circulation, precipitation, and weather systems are generated. The cycling of water and other Earth resources within the living zone - the biosphere - are discussed, while students focus on how these cycles, together with the flows of energy, influence the nature and distribution of ecosystems and vegetation. Throughout the course, students look at patterns of human activity that are in response to and have an effect upon environmental processes. Students are then asked to observe and to interpret aspects of their local environment by applying what they have learned.

Learning outcomes

• Describe how incoming solar radiation interacts with the earth's atmosphere and surface.
• Understand how the global atmospheric circulation, wind systems, and ocean currents are generated.
• Explain the important role of water in the atmosphere and the processes that lead to condensation, cloud formation, and precipitation.
• Describe the weather and climates associated with different air masses and storm systems, and relate them to daily weather conditions in your home area.
• Explain why weather and climate vary from region to region in British Columbia.
• Discuss how atmospheric precipitation is transformed into surface water (rivers and lakes), soil moisture, and groundwater.
• Explain how the characteristics and distribution of the vegetation cover of the earth vary in response to various environmental factors.

Course topics

• Unit 1: Earth's Environmental Systems

• Unit 2: Radiation Balance and the Thermal Environment

• Unit 3: Atmospheric Circulation

• Unit 4: Moisture, Air Masses, and Storms

• Unit 5: Global and Regional Climates

• Unit 6: Water at the Earth's Surface

• Unit 7: Energy and Matter in the Biosphere

• Unit 8: Biogeographic Processes

Required text and materials

Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:

• Arbogast, A. F., Ford, L., & Dagesse, D. (2017). Discovering physical geography (1st Canadian Edition). Wiley. 
  Type: Textbook. ISBN:  9781119262251 / 9781119287322

Note: This item can be purchased directly from the following VitalSource link.

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory final exam.

Prerequisites

None

Note: This course includes a lab component with a value of 1 credit (of the total 4 credits).

Exclusions

GEOG 1220