UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, Department of Geography

Instructor: Peter Hartsough TA Cassie Hansen

Geography of the World’s Environment (GEOG 103, Section 20-24)

Spring 2007 Syllabus

Course Description:

Geography studies Earth, its features and its inhabitants, and is much more than a compilation of place names. This course will introduce students to the physical properties of our planet. We will focus on four major natural systems: atmosphere, oceans, landforms, and ecosystems. An emphasis will be placed on understanding patterns and processes, often with a global perspective. Because this class satisfies a Natural Sciences core requirement, we will emphasize the scientific method. Lectures will include a presentation of the main factors that can explain the diversity of landscapes on Earth, together with interactive exercises that will sharpen and expand your analytical skills. Four laboratory experiences will provide students with hands-on information on class subjects. On a broader level, my hope is that you will gain a better, scientific understanding of the physical environment so that you may become an informed observer of the world around you. The textbook is an excellent source of background information, and additional class material will be distributed during lectures.

Class Hours and Location: Thursday 5:30 – 8:15 pm, in OSN 203. There will be a 15-minute break around 7:00 pm.

Office Hours: Thursday, 1:00 – 2:00 pm or by appointment. Please come and see me to talk about any questions you might have on the class. I am here for you!
Office: 325B Mackay Science Hall Phone: 327-2346 Probably the best way to get a hold of me is by email. Please put Geography 103 in the header. Email: phartsou@unr.nevada.edu

Teaching Assistant (TA): Cassie Hansen Office hours: Wednesday, 10:00 – 11:00 am or by appointment

Office: 134 Mackay Science Hall Phone: 784-7586

Email: Geog103Hansen@gmail.com

Laboratory Experiences (see details below): Four sessions, each one is two hours long. You signed up for lab sessions with your class registration. If dates and times need to be changed, this needs to be arranged with the teaching assistant(s). A complete list of all laboratories will be posted on the class web site and on the wall outside the classroom.

Web site: selected class material, current grades, etc., will be available through UNR’s WebCT system - see details below.

Prerequisite: Core mathematics requirement.

Course Materials:

• Textbook (required): R.W. Christopherson, 2006, Elemental Geosystems, Fifth Edition, (or Custom Edition) Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Available at the Campus Bookstore.
• IRC Clicker will be used for attendance, quizzes, class exercises and is REQUIRED
• A calculator will be very useful although it is not required
• Additional material during the semester may be distributed as class handouts or posted on the class web site.

Special Needs. If you require special classroom or exam accommodations because of a documented disability, please inform your instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Grading:
Students will be graded according to their score on three Exams, ten Quizzes, a Writing assignment, class participation and the Laboratory sessions. All tests count, so make sure you take all of them. A mid-semester grade summary and the final letter grade will be available on the class WebCT site. You must bring your PRS clicker to take Exams and Quizzes.

· Exams are a combination of multiple-choice, fill-in, true/false, and short essay/exercise questions. Each Exam covers material presented since the previous Exam, and occupies the second half of the class period (7:00 – 8: 15 pm).

• Quizzes include 3-5 questions, and should take no longer than 5-10 minutes. Each Quiz covers material presented since the previous test (either Exam or Quiz). The combined weight of all quizzes is equivalent to that of an exam.
• Writing Assignment, which is required by the core curriculum, will consist of an articulate discussion of a scientific article from a semi-popular journal such as Scientific American. We will mimic the peer-review process that is typical of good scientific literature. You will be first asked to write a draft, which will then be critically read by the instructors and peers. A grade will be assigned to the revised version of your paper, which should be no longer than eight typewritten pages, and will be due on, Apr. 19^th.
• There is no extra credit work. There is ample opportunity to demonstrate your desire for a good grade through the regular assignments.

Laboratory Experiences:

All students enrolled in Geography 103, regardless of their status with respect to the Core Curriculum, are required to attend four laboratory sessions. This is stated in the University Catalog, and there can be no exceptions. Laboratory grades will be based on written assignments, plus attendance and participation. Labs meet the weeks of 1/29, 2/12, 3/12, 4/23, you are responsible for knowing the date of your individual lab group meeting. Missing a lab session without a valid justification (see expectations below) means losing all 40 points for that lab. Missing two labs will result in failing the class. Save all laboratory materials to document your attendance.

Grading breakdown:

Exams (3 x 100)	300
Quizzes (10 x 10)	100
Writing exercise (50)	50
Laboratory experiences (4 x 40)	160
Class participation	50
TOTAL	660

Final letter grades may have a plus or minus according to the following scheme:

A = 93% or higher; A- = 90-92.9%; B+ = 87-89.9 %; B = 83-86.9 %; B- = 80-82.9 %;

C+ = 77-79.9 %; C = 73-76.9 %; C- = 70-72.9 %; D+ = 67-69.9 %; D = 63-66.9 %;

D- = 60-62.9 %; F = < 60 %

Students will be able to monitor their mid-semester grade and final letter grade through the class WebCT site and through ePAWs.

How to succeed in this class:

· Read the assigned sections of the textbook both before and after class

· Ask questions

· Be aware of test dates, and prepare in advance

· Visit us during office hours

· Think carefully about your writing exercise

· COME TO LECTURES AND LABS! (Missing one lecture is equivalent to missing a week of class).

What I expect of you and what you can expect of me:

• Attendance: Attendance is required to both lectures and labs. Keep in mind that your grade will improve if you come to class and take notes. This is especially important in a class that meets only once a week. Each lecture builds on the previous one, therefore it is important to keep up with the material. Also, talking with other students during a lecture disturbs the entire class, and will not be tolerated. If you need to know something, ask your instructor during or after class.
• Tardiness: BE ON TIME. Coming late or leaving early is a sign of disrespect to everybody else in the classroom. Points will be awarded in the first 5 minutes of class so don’t be late. If you have a schedule conflict, please come and talk to your instructor − maybe we can work out a solution.
• Quizzes: There are 10 quizzes. Quizzes can be given on any day and are worth 10 points each. Quizzes are designed to encourage you to read and stay up on the material. The combined value of all quizzes is equivalent to an exam. This is an excellent mechanism to both stay on top of the course material and improve your overall grade.
• Exams There are 3 exams that will consist of multiple choice, map questions, and short answer/ essay questions. All exams are closed book, closed notes. It is your responsibility to be on time for these tests, and to contact your instructors well before the test if you absolutely cannot attend. There are two valid excuses for missing an exam 1. Medical emergency, with documentation; or 2. University business, with documentation presented to the instructor prior to the test.
• Test tips: When asked to explain or discuss in the homework, quizzes, and examinations, you should provide an answer in the form of sentences and paragraphs that detail what you are thinking. A list is not an explanation or discussion. Scientific writing needs to be very precise. Your instructors are not mind readers and cannot assume what you meant but did not express. If you are not doing well in class, contact your instructor as soon as possible. We will do everything possible to help you improve your grade, but waiting until mid-semester or later is typically too late. ASK QUESTIONS AND VISIT OFFICE HOURS!

Class web site

The class web site is located on UNR’s WebCT system. You need your UNR netID to enter the WebCT system. To activate your netID, if you have not already done so, please direct your Web browser to http://computing.unr.edu/authenticate.html.

Login Instructions:

1. Go to http://webct.unr.edu/

2. Click on LOG ON! to myWebCT

3. A window will come up asking for your WebCT ID and Password

***** These are the same as your UNR NetID and Password *****

(Make sure you activate your UNR NetID and Password before trying to access the class web site. Also, once you activate your NetID, it will take some time - at least 5 minutes - before the WebCT system will recognize them.)

After logging, you will be directed to the myWebCT page, which contains a link to all your WebCT courses. For this class, the web site will be used to post any updates to the syllabus, test answers, the article to be used for the writing assignment, and your final grade. Please remember to hit the "Reload" button of your web browser to view the most recent changes. Material made available on the web is not intended to be a synthesis of material required for the exams.

Natural Sciences Core Curriculum

This course is part of the natural sciences core curriculum and is designed to meet the following university guidelines:

1. Students use the scientific method. At least four meaningful laboratory experiences must be included in the class schedule. Laboratory sessions must involve gathering and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and making inferences.
2. A course component consists of the analysis of data by means of appropriate mathematical techniques at or beyond the core mathematics level.
3. The class incorporates current scientific topics as well as classical examples relevant to today’s world.
4. The course requires a critical review of current scientific literature outside the textbook.
5. Each course emphasizes critical writing at all appropriate points, e.g. laboratory analysis reports, reviews of journal articles, papers and examinations.

Calendar (order of topics may change as class progresses):

Jan 25	T	Course framework and organization, Course syllabus. The scientific method. Measuring and mapping the Earth, Earth-Sun Geometry, Seasonality	Chapter 1 & 2
Feb 01	T	Earth-Sun geometry. Seasonal variations. The atmosphere The atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, global temperature differences Quiz # 1	Chapter 2 & 3
Feb 08	T	Energy budgets and pathways. Air motion. Large-scale winds. Global atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Quiz # 2	Chapters 3 & 4
Feb 15	T	Driving forces in global circulation. Temperature differences around the globe and their controlling factors, Quiz # 3 Exam review	Chapter 4
Feb 22	T	ENSO Exam # 1	Chapter 4 Lecture Notes
Mar 01	T	Atmospheric water and weather Humidity. Fog types. Lifting mechanisms. Cloud types Writing exercise - first draft assigned Quiz # 4	Chapter 5
Mar 08	T	Weather maps. Mid-latitude cyclones. Violent weather, tornadoes and hurricanes Quiz # 5	Chapter 5
Mar 15	T	Water resources. Hydrologic cycle, Surface and groundwater systems Climates of the world. Climate of Nevada. Quiz # 6	Chapter 6 Lecture Notes Chapter 7
Mar 22	T	Spring Break- No Classes
Mar 29	T	Geologic time. Earth’s interior. Rock types and geologic maps. Continental drift, seafloor spreading, plate tectonics. Quiz # 7	Chapter 8
Apr 05	T	Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Exam review Writing exercise – first draft DUE Critical review of rough draft	Chapter 9
Apr 12	T	Exam # 2 Physical and Chemical Weathering	Chapters 10
Apr 19	T	River systems Wind Processes and Desert Landscapes Quiz # 8 Writing exercise – final draft DUE	Chapters 11& 12
Apr 26	T	Glacial cycles. Glacial landforms Quiz # 9	Chapter 14
May 03		Biomes, ecoregions, and ecosystems. Biodiversity Biogeography. Quiz # 10 Review for Final Exam	Chapter 16
May 10	T	Final Exam – 7:00 PM – OSN Room 203