AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department of Geology
GEOL 102: Environmental Physical Geography
COURSE SYLLABUS
1. GENERAL COURSE GOALS
This course introduces students to the Earth as a natural system where
various processes operate over space and time. After it discusses the different
geographic tools used in data gathering and spatial analysis, it provides a
clear understanding of the atmosphere, its composition, structure, circulation
patterns and controlling processes. It also enables the students to explore the
main aspects of the hydrosphere, and to use their problem-solving and analytical
skills in understanding atmosphere-hydrosphere interaction in producing
weather systems. This will help them gain a special knowledge of some major
environmental issues like ozone depletion and global warming.
2. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1. Explain the nature and critical importance of physical geography, and
its role in major environmental issues.
2. Analyze cause-effect relationships based on the understanding of the
Earth as a system of interacting parts.
3. Distinguish between the techniques that support geographic
investigations through mapping, location finding, satellite and aerial
photographic imaging, and computer analysis of geographic data.
4. Analyze the main factors responsible for seasonal changes and
horizontal temperature distribution across the globe.
5. Classify the atmosphere based on chemical composition and vertical
temperature variation.
6. Solve the global heat budget of the atmosphere.
7. Explain the processes involved in producing the spectacular display of
colors and visuals in the sky.
8. Discuss the factors of atmospheric circulation, and the generated local
and global patterns.
9. Solve the water budget for a specific location.
10. Discuss how ocean-atmosphere interactions produce weather systems.
11. Summarize the issue of ozone depletion and global warming.
Course syllabus
1
Geol. 102
3. COURSE CONTENT
The course content includes the following major topics: physical geography:
Earth environments and systems, representations of Earth, Earth-Sun
relationships and solar energy, the atmosphere, temperature and the heat
budget, the atmospheric pressure, winds and circulation patterns,
atmospheric moisture and precipitation, air masses and weather systems,
global climates and climate change.
4. RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS
“PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY”. By J.F. Petersen, D. Sack and R.E. Gabler, 10th
edition, Brooks/Cole, 2012.
Additional information and exercises are provided in class and on
Moodle at the American University of Beirut.
5. COURSE ASSESSMENT
Exam 1: 20%
Exam 2: 20%
Final Exam: 50%
Class Participation: 10% (it includes class attendance, behavior and
participation)
6. SCHEDULE
Week
Topic
Application
1-2
Physical Geography: Earth Environments and
Systems
3-4
Representations of Earth
5
6
Presentation of a
real GIS example
Earth-Sun Relationships and Solar Energy (Part I)
EXAM 1: covers chapters 1, 2 & 3-1.
Earth-Sun Relationships and Solar Energy
(Part II)
10
The Atmosphere, Temperature, and the Heat
Budget
Atmospheric Pressure
EXAM 2: covers chapters 3-2, 4 & 5.
Winds, and Circulation Patterns
11
Moisture, Condensation, and Precipitation
12
Air Masses and Weather Systems
7-8
9
Course syllabus
2
Identify insolation
conditions at several
settings through
figures and animations
Solve the heat energy
budget
Solve the water
budget
Solve exercises about
precipitation processes
Geol. 102
13
Global Climates and Climate Change
Recognize real
observations through
Atmospheric Optics
14
photographs
FINAL EXAM: covers the entire material given throughout the course (chapters 1 to 9).
7. COURSE POLICY
You are advised to read the required sections of the book that are
relevant to the previous outline. Exam questions will cover the lecture
notes including figures and issues discussed in the class, and relevant
chapters in the textbook. It is to your great advantage to attend the
class regularly, and to read the textbook and the notes, preferably
before the topic is covered.
According to AUB regulations, students who miss more than one-fifth
of the sessions of any course in the first ten weeks of the semester will
be dropped from the course.
There will be no make up term or final exam for any reason. Under
exceptional circumstances, such as hospitalization in AUBMC ONLY,
exams will be arranged in accordance to AUB regulations. No other
certificate from physicians will be accepted.
Course syllabus
3
Geol. 102