what is covered in a physical geography 1 course

GEOG 1 – Physical Geography 3 Units 3 hours lecture (GR). Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU Basic elements of the earth’s physical systems and processes: Earth-sun relations, weather, climate, water, plate tectonics, landforms, soils, and ecosystems and their interrelationships and global distribution patterns.

Full Answer

What is physical geography?

Physical geography is the study of our planet and its systems (ecosystems, climate, atmosphere, hydrology).

What is the focus of the study of geography?

Usually, the focus of geography concerns places, landmarks, physical landforms, climate, humans, and ecological distributions and locations on Earth. However, a small field of geography is concerned with mapping the physical geography of other bodies in our solar system.

Why is it important to study physical geography of Earth?

Knowing about the physical geography of Earth is important for every serious student studying the planet because the natural processes of Earth affect the distribution of resources (from carbon dioxide in the air to freshwater on the surface to minerals deep underground) and the conditions of the human settlement.

What is a small field of geography?

However, a small field of geography is concerned with mapping the physical geography of other bodies in our solar system. Physical geography is a subfield of geography concerned with the physical landforms and natural environments of the Earth, the processes that form or transform them, and the spatial distribution and relationships between them.

What topics are covered in physical geography?

It provides extended definitions of terms that are fundamental to physical geography and its many branches, covering topics such as: biogeography, ecology, climatology, meteorology, geomorphology, hydrology and pedology. ...

What do physical geography classes do?

Physical geography is concerned about understanding the Earth's physical processes, you will look at climates, weather systems, earthquakes and rock formations and even what is happening to the ocean floor.

Is physical geography a hard class?

2 Over the years, Geography I, the introductory physical course, has provided a substantial challenge for thousands of lower division students. Unfortunately, significant numbers have either failed to complete the course or have earned low marks; thus, Geography I has the reputation of being a "hard" course.

Is geography a hard subject?

It is not very difficult, but on average, but even the school course in my day was very multifaceted and took many years. It included world maps, topography and local mapping, geology and geomorphology, climate and weather, distribution of natural resources and manufacturing facilities.

What is physical geography examples?

Physical-geography definition Physical geography is the study of the earth's surface. An example of physical geography is knowledge of earth's oceans and land masses. noun. 4. (geography) The subfield of geography that studies physical patterns and processes of the Earth.

What is a physical geography class like?

Physical geography integrates and inter-relates landforms, water, soils, climate, and vegetation as the major natural elements of the environment. The focus of physical geography is on the zone of the land, ocean, and atmosphere containing most of the world's organic life.

What is physical geography class in college?

Physical geographers study patterns of weather and climate, landforms, vegetation, soils and water. They forecast the weather, manage land and water resources, and analyze and plan for forests, rangelands, and wetlands.

How do you pass geography?

How to pass A-Level GeographyRevise a wide background of information. ... Go beyond your reading list. ... Practice your essay writing skills. ... Use past papers and the examiners' report. ... Work with a geography tutor.

What is physical geography?

Physical geography is the study of our planet and its systems (ecosystems, climate, atmosphere, hydrology). Understanding the climate and how it's changing (and the potential results of those changes) affect people now and can help plan for the future. Because the study of Earth is vast, numerous sub-branches of physical geography specialize in ...

What is environmental geography?

Environmental geography: the study of the interactions between people and their environment and the resulting effects, both on the environment and on the people; this field bridges physical geography and human geography. DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images.

What are the two branches of geography?

The vast discipline of geography is divided into two major branches: 1) physical geography and 2) cultural or human geography. Physical geography encompasses the geographic tradition known as the Earth sciences tradition. Physical geographers look at the landscapes, surface processes, and climate of the earth—all of the activity found in ...

Why is it important to know the physical geography of Earth?

Knowing about the physical geography of Earth is important for every serious student studying the planet because the natural processes of Earth affect the distribution of resources (from carbon dioxide in the air to freshwater on the surface to minerals deep underground) and the conditions of the human settlement.

What is the hydrosphere?

The hydrosphere encompasses everything having to do with water, from the water cycle to acid rain, groundwater, runoff, currents, tides, and oceans. The biosphere concerns living things on the planet and why they live where they do, with topics from ecosystems and biomes to food webs and the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

What is the study of Earth's landforms and its surface's processes?

Geomorphology: the study of Earth's landforms and its surface's processes—and how these processes change and have changed Earth's surface—such as erosion, landslides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and floods. piola666/Getty Images. Hydrology: the study of the water cycle, including water distribution across the planet in lakes, rivers, aquifers, ...

What is the study of water cycle?

Hydrology: the study of the water cycle, including water distribution across the planet in lakes, rivers, aquifers, and groundwater; water quality; drought effects; and the probability of flooding in a region. Potamology is the study of rivers. Jan Tove Johansson/Getty Images.

What is the area of physical geography that focuses on the landforms of the Earth and the physical processes involved in

Geomorphology is the area of physical geography that focuses on the landforms of the Earth and the physical processes involved in creating and changing these landforms. This is not to say that geomorphology is identical to geology. Instead, it looks at boundaries between tectonic plates and their movement, areas of rock deposits, and the way geological forces create and change specific landforms.

What are the six specializations in physical geography?

The six most common specializations are geomorphology, pedology, biogeography, hydrology, meteorology, and climatology .

What is the study of soil?

Geomorphology studies the natural landforms of Earth, including areas where geological conditions or processes shape and transform the landforms. Pedology specializes in the study of soil, including differences in regional soils, phenomena responsible for these differences, and changes to the soil such as erosion.

What is the physical geography specialization that studies soil?

Pedology. Pedology is the physical geography specialization that studies soil. Topics of interest within pedology include the composition of soil in different regions, what geographic and geological forces in an area create these soils, and issues of soil conservation and soil erosion.

What is the field of geography that focuses on the geographic distribution of plants and animals around the world?

Biogeography. Biogeography focuses on the geographic distribution of plants and animals around the world. As a specialized field of physical geography, biogeographers work closely with biologists and ecologists to understand the spatial importance in ecosystems.

What is the physical geography of water?

Hydrology is the physical geography specialization that focuses on water, including the location, movement, and composition of bodies of water around the world (i.e. rivers, lakes, oceans etc.). It may also study the effects of water on the geologic features of a given area.

What is climatology in geography?

Climatology in physical geography studies weather and weather patterns. However, it uses a longer time scale than meteorology to determine common patterns for specific areas of the Earth. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Create your account.

What are the topics covered in geography?

Topics include global Earth’s seasons, wind patterns, moisture in the atmosphere, ocean currents and freshwater movement.

What is the purpose of physical geography?

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to physical geography (the study of Earth’s dynamic processes) and to engage students in a way that promotes critical and creative thinking with regards to Earth’s tectonic and atmospheric processes. Students will not only be introduced to terrestrial, oceanic and atmospheric systems, ...

What is a storybook in geography?

The storybook is an engrossing way for the student to learn about maps, the points of a compass, the continents and oceans, and more. The reproducible workbook reviews and expands their learning. Here is our recommended order of study for Geography: Grade. Curriculum.

Where in the world am I?

Veritas Press’ Legends and Leagues curriculum gives children a thorough overview of geography, equipping them with knowledge about each part of our world.

What is a physical geography course?

This is a lecture-based introductory physical geography course intended for all students . The course is usually taken by non-majors to meet the Natural Science and Math distribution requirement, although some students are "recruited" from this course to become geography majors. This course serves as a pre-requisite for most upper-level courses in physical geography.

What are the four spheres of Earth?

The focus of this course is on recognizing Earth's four spheres (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere) and learning geographical techniques to understand each. Course topics are addressed through lectures and in-class activities, with an emphasis on topographic map interpretation and data analysis.