INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT (GOG 101N)
Spring 2006
Instructor: Andrei G. Lapenas
Department of Geography and Planning
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Arts and Sciences, Room 229
e-mail: andreil@albany.edu
Office hours: Monday: 10:00 -12:00 am, Thursday: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
CLASS MEETS: MW: 5:45-7:05 pm Room LC 23
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT is a basic course that provides an understanding of our current view of the Earth as an integrated system involving dynamic interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, solid earth, and life. Emphasis is placed on how Earth's climate system work at the present time, how it evolved in the past, and predictions for the future. The subject matter includes new observations of the global systems from space; the circulation of the oceans and atmosphere, cycles of elements essential for life; the co-evolution of climate and life on earth; current problems, e.g. the greenhouse effect from increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, deforestation, and depletion of the ozone layer.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: The aim of the course is to give students an understanding and appreciation of the new view of the Earth as an integrated system. This requires a survey of the dynamics and interactions of the major Earth systems including the atmosphere, oceans, solid earth, and life.
REQUESTED BOOK: Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography: by Robert
W. Christopherson
Publisher Prentice
Hall
Edition 6
GRADES: your final average is FA = (1/4)(G1 + G2 + G3 + Gf) + E, where G1, G2, G3 and Gf are the grades on the first three exams and the final. E- extra points, the maximum of 10 extra points can be awarded through the active participation in discussions. The grading on all examinations: >90= A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 60-0=F.
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Date |
Topic |
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January 23- February 13 |
Essentials of Geography (Chapters 1-6) First Exam – February 13th If you have any questions regarding your
grade, please, make an appointment to see my TA – Mr. (Arts
& Sciences Room 213 Office hours:
Tuesday & Thursday 11:45 a.m. to 12:45
p.m.) |
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February 15 |
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
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February 15- March 13 |
The Water, weather, and Climate Systems (Chapters
7- 10) Second Exam- March 13th |
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March 15- April 19
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The Earth-Atmosphere Interface (Chapters
11-17) Third Exam – April 19th |
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April 24 -May 8 |
Soils, Ecosystems, and
Biomes (Chapters 18-21) |
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May 15
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Final Exam
(5:45-7:05 pm, May 15) (Chapters 18-21) |
Benjamin W. Anderson [BenjaminAnderson@nycap.rr.com] |
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