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Course Description
This survey course is designed to provide an understanding of all the elements of the physical environment. The course emphasizes the four spheres: the atmosphere (weather and climate), the lithosphere (soils, geology, and landforms), the hydrosphere (oceans, streams, and groundwater), and the biosphere (vegetation and animals).
Required Materials / Activities
This survey course is designed to provide an understanding of all the elements of the physical environment. The course emphasizes the four spheres: the atmosphere (weather and climate), the lithosphere (soils, geology, and landforms), the hydrosphere (oceans, streams, and groundwater), and the biosphere (vegetation and animals).
Required Materials / Activities
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Christopherson, R.W., 2010, Elemental Geosystems, 6th ed., Prentice Hall, ISBN 978-
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Topographic Map: Estes Park, Colorado 1:100,000 -
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Specific (Measurable) Student Behavioral Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
Students will be able to:
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describe the geographic patterns to the earth’s physical environment through map applications (Biomes and Landforms). Includes application of technical skills, such as data analysis & simple math.
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explain basic environmental cycles in the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
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give examples of connections between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
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solve and analyze problems to physical geographic processes by applying geographic skills correctly to unfamiliar problems.
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Outline of Course Content
Major Topics & Subtopics
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Maps & Map Reading -
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Atmosphere: (a) Weather, (b) Climate
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Lithosphere: (a) Soils, (b) Geology, (c) Landforms
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Hydrosphere: (a) Oceans, (b) Streams, (c) Groundwater
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Biosphere: (a) Vegetation, (b) Animals
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Atmosphere & Biosphere will be taught as one unit called BIOMES!
BIOME PROJECT:
BIOME PROJECT:
During this assignment you will generated a BIOME -MAP of the Northern Front Range & Alpine Region. This will need some time, since information is not readily available and must be researched. The resulting product should be a map with shaded in biomes and an accompanying paper showing summary & explanation. In order to get the highest score possible you must use EXCEL or a similar product for some required segments. See Project Handout for details.
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You may e-mail me any time. I will however NOT accept any assignments via e-mail. They must be turned in as a hard copy during class.
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Students desiring a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act must contact the instructor immediately to discuss their needs. Failure to notify the instructor, in a timely manner, of the need for a reasonable accommodation may hinder the college's ability to assist students in successfully completing the course.
