After reading the general course information (below) you should log into the PALS system to read the official syllabus and gain access to all the course materials.

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General Information About this Course
This course consists of a systematic study of the elements of physical geography.  Topics covered include the basic fundamentals of mapping, Earth-Sun relationships, weather, climate, soils, and landforms.  This course satisfies the natural science requirement in most degree plans.

Textbook, Readings and Materials
Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, 9th Edition, by Tom L. McKnight and Darrel Hess. 2008, Prentice Hall. ISBN: 9780132239011.

You will also be using the resources of PALS (a secure Web site at SAC) in order to complete this course.  PALS is a website that provides you with tools such as email, discussion/chat, and direct access to your course grades.  Click here to enter the Blackboard Vista system. You can also access Blackboard Vista by typing this address (https://vista.alamo.edu) into your Internet browser and striking the "Enter" button on your keyboard. That link also provides you instructions if you have not used Blackboard Vista previously.

Click here to learn how this course applies to the International Studies Certificate at SAC.

Course Grading System
The total course grade will based on four exams, the final exam, the Resource Management Plan, and class participation/attendance. 

Standard 10% letter grade cutoffs will be applied (e.g., A is 90% or more, B is 80-89.9%, C is 70-79.9%, etc).

Course Schedule
The numbers in parentheses indicate the assigned chapters in the textbook.
Week 1 - Introduction to Earth (1), Portraying Earth (2)
Week 2 - The Atmosphere (3), Insolaton and Temperature (4) 
Week 3 - Air Pressure and Wind (5)
Week 4 - Atmospheric Moisture (6), Exam 1
Week 5 - Transient Atmospheric Flows and Disturbances (7) 
Week 6 - Climates Zones and Types (8)
Week 7 - Cycles and Patterns in the Biosphere (10), Exam 2
Week 8 - Terrestrial Flora and Fauna (11)
Week 9 - Introduction to Landform Study (13), Internal Processes (14) 
Week 10 - Weathering and Mass Wasting (15), Exam 3
Week 11 - Weathering and Mass Wasting (15), Soils (12)
Week 12 - The Hydrosphere (9), Fluvial Landforms (16)
Week 13 - Solution Processes and Karst Topography (17), Exam 4
Week 14 - The Topography of Arid Lands (18), Glacial Modification (19)
Week 15 - Glacial Modification (19), Coastal Processes (20)
Week 16 - Final Exam

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Contact Information:
Department of Chemistry/Earth Sciences/Astronomy
San Antonio College
1300 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78212-4299

Office Location: Chance Academic Center (CAC), Room 312

Phone: 210-486-0471
E-mail: (preferred) deanplambert@yahoo.com or dlambert@alamo.edu