Physical Geography

External URL: https://edx.hydrolearn.org/courses/course-v1:UTEP+GEOG1306+Spring2022/about

This course contains material for teaching Physical Geography based on the book "The Physical Environment: An introduction to Physical Geography" by Michael E. Ritter.

Physical Geography UTEP Enroll Now Problem Statement Why study physical geography? For many, there is a natural curiosity about how Earth processes work and how different landscapes formed. This is what physical geographers do: investigate natural patterns and processes. Module Overview In this Physical Geography course, students will learn about the different layers composing the Earth's surface, looking into detail the atmosphere, weather, and climate; the Earth's geologic structure and surface features – focusing upon landforms, soil, and ecological systems. We will examine the interactions between humans and our natural environment. For this, we will draw examples from North America, but we will also look globally. We will begin to understand concepts of balance and equilibrium in complex environmental systems that are subject to change over several time scales. Our focus will be geographical and spatial: where things are, why and how they got there, and how place and spatial relationships modify the landscapes that we observe on our planet. Topics Covered Topics include introductions to: Geography, the solid earth, the planet's energy, the atmosphere and the climate and weather patterns, the hydrosphere, the oceans and their water circulation, the biosphere and its biomes among others. Prerequisites To complete this module successfully, students will need a computer with access to Internet. Learning Objectives Students will learn to read and interpret geographic data including maps, and other types of data describing important physical phenomena ocurring on the planet. Course Authors Hugo Gutierrez Dr. Hugo Gutierrez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso. hagutierrez "at" utep.edu Target Audience This module is targeted toward lower and upper-division undergraduate students. Tools Needed To complete this module successfully, students will need a computer with access to Internet. Course Sharing and Adaptation This course is available for export by clicking the "Export Link" at the top right of this page. If you are an Instructor seeking the answer keys, please contact the course creators using your official University email account. Make sure you cite the source of your new course (e.g., this course was adapted from "The Physical Environment: An introduction to Physical Geography" by Michael E. Ritter). You can include this citation on an "Adaptation Page" of your new course, in your course card, or in the introduction section of your new course. Recommended Citation Ritter, E. Michael. (2022). Physical Geography. HydroLearn. https://edx.hydrolearn.org/courses/course-v1:UTEP+GEOG1306+Spring2022/about . Expected Effort 48 hours.