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COURSE NUMBER: GEOG 201
COURSE TITLE: Physical Geography
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Harry Spaling
CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION: credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 3)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the earth's major planetary components, including climate, river systems, glaciers, landforms, soils, and biogeography. The origins of these features and the processes that influence them are discussed with emphasis on applications in Canada, Alberta and Edmonton. Participation in weekly field-based labs and in a two-day, overnight field trip, usually in the latter part of September, are required.
REQUIRED TEXTS: De Blij, H.J., Muller, P. Williams, R., Conrad, C., Long, P. 2009.   Physical Geography: The Global Environment. 2nd Canadian Edition. Oxford: Toronto
MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:
Quizzes (4) 24%
Field/Lab assignments (9)50%
Final Exam26%
100%
COURSE OBJECTIVES: On completion of this course, you should be able to:
  • Describe key physical geographic components, processes and patterns evident on the earth’s surface, including how these are interrelated
  • Use basic field and laboratory skills for analyzing and interpreting physical geographic phenomena
  • Appreciate the wonder and complexity of earth’s natural systems from a geographic perspective.
COURSE OUTLINE:
  • Course & textbook overview
  • Planet Earth
  • Maps & Projections
  • Earth’s core & rocks
  • Earth’s plates, faults & folds
  • Mountain building, glaciers, karst & sand dunes in Jasper NP
  • Water sculpting
  • Weathering & slope processes
  • Soils
  • Weather & Climate
  • Volcanoes, Earthquakes
  • Biogeography
  • Periglacial & coastal landscapes
LAB OUTLINE:
  • Lab 1 The Edmonton Geoscape (field trip)
  • Lab 2 Orienteering
  • Lab 3 River Valley sites (self-guided field trip)
  • Lab 4 JASPER NP FIELD TRIP SEPT 25-26
  • Lab 5 Fluvial processes in the River Valley (field trip)
  • Lab 6 Slope movement in the River Valley (field trip)
  • Lab 7 Soils (field trip)
  • Lab 8 Weather measurement & forecasting
  • Lab 9 Weather & climate


Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.

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