Official Course
Description: MCCCD Approval: 3-28-1995 |
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GPH111 2000 Fall - 9999 |
LEC |
4 Credit(s) |
3 Period(s) |
Introduction
to Physical Geography |
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Spatial
and functional relationships among climates, landforms, soils, water, and
plants. Prerequisites: None. Course Attribute(s): General Education Designation: Natural Sciences (Quantitative) - [SQ] |
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Go to Competencies Go to Outline
MCCCD
Official Course Competencies: |
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GPH111 2000
Fall - 9999 |
Introduction to Physical Geography |
1.
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Use the metric system. (I) |
2.
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Describe the face and form of the earth and its place in
the solar system. (II - IV) |
3.
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Locate places on the earth using the geographic grid
system and the United States Land Survey grid. (V) |
4.
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Read topographic maps using map symbols. (VI) |
5.
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Explain the relationship between the earth and sun in
regard to the length of days, seasons, time, and solar energy. (VII) |
6.
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Make time zone calculations. (VII) |
7.
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Identify basic landform types, and explain the basic
geologic theory behind the development of landforms. (VIII) |
8.
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Describe the classification of minerals and rocks, and
identify common rocks. (VIII) |
9.
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Describe geologic hazards such as floodplains, mass
wasting zones, volcanic areas, etc. (VIII) |
10.
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Describe the basic weather elements. (IX) |
11.
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List the basic weather controls, and appraise the effects
of these controls on the weather elements. (IX) |
12.
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Display on a map the geographic pattern of temperature,
pressure, wind, precipitation, and storms. (IX) |
13.
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Describe major storm types. (IX) |
14.
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Explain the climatic controls. (X) |
15.
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Describe the classification of world climates. (X) |
16.
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Display the world climate pattern on a world map. (X) |
17.
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Display the world vegetation pattern on a world map, and
describe the relationship between climate and vegetation. (X) |
18.
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Describe soil problems and the relationship between
climate and soils. (X) |
Go to Description Go to top of
Competencies
MCCCD
Official Course Outline: |
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|
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GPH111 2000
Fall - 9999 |
Introduction to Physical Geography |
I. Metric System II. Place of the Earth in
the Solar System III. Face of the Earth A. Smooth/relief B. Land masses C. Parts unusable IV. Form of the Earth A. Shape and dimensions B. Interior V. Location of Points on
the Earth A. Spherical coordinates:
geographic grid B. Plane coordinates C. Metes and bounds D. Unites States Land
Survey VI. Maps A. Projections 1. Properties 2. Classification 3. Problems B. Topographic maps 1. Symbols 2. Contours 3. How to read and use VII. The Earth/Sun
Relationship A. Rotation B. Revolution C. Inclination of the earth's
axis D. Length of day E. Seasons F. Special lines 1. Equator 2. Tropics 3. Circles G. Time 1. Apparent solar time 2. Mean solar time 3. Sidereal time 4. Local time 5. Standard time and time
zones 6. Time problems VIII. Landforms A. Methods of study B. Minerals C. Rocks 1. Classification 2. Identification D. Endogenous processes 1. Bending, folding, and
faulting 2. Earthquakes 3. Volcanoes-surface and
subsurface 4. Plate tectonics E. Exogenous processes 1. Weathering 2. Gravity as agent of
erosion 3. Running water as agent
of erosion 4. Ground water as agent of
erosion 5. Wind as agent of erosion
6. Ice as agent of erosion 7. Oceans as agent of
erosion IX. Weather A. Weather elements 1. Temperature 2. Pressure 3. Winds 4. Moisture 5. Solar radiation 6. Air pollution B. Weather controls 1. Latitude 2. Land and water
distribution 3. Ocean currents 4. Altitude 5. Mountain barriers 6. Pressure and wind 7. Storms 8. Solar radiation 9. Air pollution 10. Local topography C. Temperature 1. Temperature and
structure of the atmosphere 2. Controls of solar
radiation 3. How the atmosphere is
cooled and heated 4. Heat balance 5. Differential heating of
land and water 6. Daily cycle of air
temperature 7. Annual cycle of air
temperature 8. World distribution of
temperature D. Pressure and wind 1. Atmospheric pressure and
measurement of air pressure 2. Pressure differences and
their origins 3. World distribution of
pressure 4. Forces that produce wind
5. The world wind system 6. Local wind systems E. Ocean currents 1. Causes 2. Importance F. Atmospheric moisture and
precipitation 1. Humidity 2. Condensation 3. Precipitation 4. Storms X. Climate of the World and
Their Associated Vegetation and Soils A. Importance B. Classification of
climate types and their locations C. Tropical moist climates 1. Tropical rainforest 2. Tropical monsoon 3. Tropical savanna 4. Problems and potential
of tropical climates D. Dry climates 1. Reasons for lack of
precipitation 2. Distribution of dry
climates 3. Problems and potential
of dry climates E. Moist, mild winter
climates 1. Humid subtropical 2. Mediterranean 3. Marine west coast 4. Problems and potential
of moist, mild winter climates F. Moist, severe winter
climates 1. Effects of snow 2. Humid continental 3. Subarctic 4. Problems and potential
of moist, severe winter climates G. Polar climates H. Highland climates |