The Earth Physical environment (2021)

Course Title:

EARTHS’ PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT [Core]

Course Code:

GEO 1101

Course Level:

1

Credit Units:

3

Semester

1 (Blended)

Contact hours

45

Prerequisite Course(s):

None

Course Description:

This course introduces students to fundamental components of the earth. The course is divided into three major components namely; the earth, soils and the atmosphere. It introduces students to physical geography i.e geomorphology, climatology and biogeography. It presents the earth as a combination of the four aspects of the environment that is; the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and the lithosphere.

Course Aim:

Introduce students to the subject of earth’s physical environment, as a basic foundation for environmental geomorphology.

Build students’ capacity in geomorphic thinking and to impart in the students the tradition of scholarly approaches and analysis of contemporary geomorphic problems.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the students will:

Ø  Analyze the basic foundation for environmental geomorphology.

Ø  Gain basic understanding and appreciation of geomorphological processes and problems, and their importance in man-environmental relationships

Indicative Content:

1.Earthscience                                                                                      18hrs

Ø  The earth, its size, constituents and isostatic movements.

Ø  The four spheres of the earth

Ø  The shape, internal structure, rotation and revolution of the earth

Ø  Evolution of present continents.

Ø  Geomorphic processes (endogenic, exogenic and denudation processes) and landscape evolution.

Ø  landforms and their influence on resource development.

2.The Concept of ecosystem                                                                   8hrs

Ø  Evolution

Ø  Energy flows

Ø  food webs and food chains

Ø   ecosystem extinction

3.Soil geography                                                                                      8hrs                                               

Ø  Soil types and characteristics

Ø  Soil formation processes and factors

Ø  soil management

4.Meteorological systems                                                                      8hrs

Ø  Understanding weather and climate  

Ø   Elements of weather and climate

Ø  significance of monitoring weather and climate elements

Ø  air density and distribution in the atmosphere

Ø  significance of ozone, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

5.Earths’ physical environmental stress                                               5hrs

Ø  global warming and climate change

Ø  biodiversity diminishing

Ø  pollution

Teaching & Learning Patterns:

Ø  Peer learning

Ø  demonstration

Ø  Role play

Ø  Modeling 

Ø   Field experiences 

Ø  virtual peer presentation

Ø  individual exercises

Ø  group projects

Ø  virtual collaboration

Modes of Assessment

 Formative:

Ø  Two structured tests

Ø  20 online quizzes

Ø  Two take home activities

Ø  Experimentations through field work

Summative

Ø  Tests:  this shall include five written assignments per each area as a continuous assessment out of 100%

Ø  Examination: seven questions shall be set and the student shall be required to answer all questions out of marked at   100%

Reading List:

Bradshaw, M.J et al. (1978) The Earth’s Changing Surface, Hodder and Stoughton              Educational Limited.

David Waugh (2000) Geography: An Integrated Approach: London, Nelson Thornes.

David Waugh (2003) The New Wider World, London, Nelson Thornes.

Gabler et al (1991) Essentials of Physical Geography, Fifth edition, USA, Saunder             Golden Sunburst Series.

Miller, A.R and Theodore, M. (1978) Physical Geography today, Random House of             Canada.

Ree, R.J (1977) Fundamentals of Geomorphology, Longman, UK.

Sparks, B.W (1972) Geomorphology, Longman, UK

Additional reading

Ø  Also read online journal and material via google scholar.

Course Facilitator(s)