Download GES 102: Aspects of Physical Geography (Course outline and

GES 102: Aspects of Physical Geography (Course outline and Guidelines)
Course Guidelines
This course is an introduction to spatial patterns in the physical nature of Earth. It includes the study of the processes that influence
the Earth’s atmosphere, biotic communities, and landforms. The course is also a pre-requisite for understanding human-environment
relations which means it is important to understand the concepts and patterns for moving on to more advanced courses.
Because a substantial amount of information is covered, the greatest portion of the class consists of lectures. However, Lectures,
presentations, class discussions, assignments, and reading materials compliment one another.
Grading: The final grade is based on components such as: a) participation (class presentations and discussions) b) assignments c)
and d) end of semester examinations.
Exams: The end of semester examination covers material from lectures, assignments, textbooks & other material sources, class
exercises, presentations and discussions. Reading textbooks & other material sources is important because lectures are a fast
presentation of many concepts. Books & other sources are essential for helping you understand the concepts presented.
Participation: The participation grade is based greatly on attendance, attentiveness and enthusiasm. Class participation includes
asking quality questions, presenting throughly researched & well organised work and contributing positively during class
discussions.
Attendance and Classroom Behavior
You are allowed 15% of all semester lectures worth of absences, no questions asked and no penalty. If a significant amount of
lectures are missed during the course of the semester (greater than 15% of all semester lectures worth), I have the right to
recommend that you do not write the end of semester examinations. I accept excused absences only with a doctor’s excuse or
official written notification of a family emergency. Missing class in order to go to work, or for taking a roommate somewhere, or for
studying for another module is not an excused absence. It is your responsibility to determine what you missed by talking to one of
your classmates. Do not ask me what you missed. Also, sending me an email about your absence does not automatically make it an
excused absence.
Make-up exams/tests or assignments are not provided. Missed exams/tests or assignments count as zeros. In the case of a family
emergency or major illness, contact me prior to missing an exam/test. If you miss an exam for an emergency of illness, you must
provide documented evidence of having to miss the exam/test. This includes a doctor’s excuse or hard copy evidence of the
emergency. If you are an athlete, please clear your schedule with me prior to an exam/test.
Any student who needs to be excused from class or exam or activity for extraordinary reasons (such as a family emergency,
prolonged illness, car accident) has the personal responsibility to inform me as soon as possible. This means that if you are sick for a
week or more and missing class, inform me and I will give you instructions on how to handle the situation so that you can come
back to class without penalty. If you miss more than a week, you will need to provide a doctor’s excuse explaining that you could
not attend class. Make sure the doctor’s excuse includes the dates that you had to miss class. It is the responsibility of the student to
meet with me immediately upon return to campus to work out a schedule of when and how the work that was missed by an excused
absence can be made up. If there is a delay in contacting me, the student will receive a grade of zero for missed work.
Effective learning can take place only with an atmosphere of mutual respect. Things that we classify as being disrespectful include,
or as examples are: talking in class while someone else is speaking or working, getting up and leaving early, arriving late, sleeping
during class, reading a newspaper during a lecture, presentation or class discussion & completing other class work when lecture is in
progress, allowing a cell phone to ring (if you answer a cell phone you can count on a zero), stern or otherwise disrespectful email,
and speaking disrespectfully to an instructor or anyone else, and cheating. Disrespect of any kind will potentially lead to removal
from the class.
Cheating on an exam/test, project/assignment, or any other work is intolerable. If I discover that you cheated or you are cheating, I
will talk to you and we will decide your penalty.
Assignment writing and submission: To be discussed in class.
Disabilities Services: Every attempt will be made to accommodate students with documented disabilities. If you are a student with
documented disability, please provide written documentation to support appropriate accommodations. Please see me as early in the
semester as possible to discuss your requirements & the best ways in which we can accommodate them.
Course Schedule
Dates and content of the schedule may be adjusted (moved, omitted, things added) if need arises. The following is a brief summary
of the topics & content we intent to cover during the course of this semester. Do not let yourself fall behind. Come prepared to class.
Aspects of Physical Geography.
 Assignment writing and submission requirements
 Introduction to Physical Geography
 Definition of terms & concepts – Environmental Studies, Physical & Human Geography
 Scope & Elements of Physical Geography.
 The system's Approach
- The climate systematic
- the atmospheric system
- Earth-Sun Relationships, Radiation
- Atmospheric circulation

The hydrological system
- The Hydrological Cycle
- Water balance
- Drainage basin hydrological cycle processes
- Generation of run-off, Stream channel geometry, velocity & discharge.
 Introduction to Geomorphology
- Landform controls
- Gradational and Aggradational Forces
- Systems Approach to Geomorphology
- Theories of landform development & their application to Southern Africa
- Weathering, slope stability & mass movement
 The soil system
- The soil factors and forming processes
- Soil erosion
 Biogeography/Ecosystems/ Ecological Processes
- Definitions
- Biotic Structure of an Ecosystem
- Energy and nutrients flow in an ecosystem.
- Species Interactions and Population Dynamics
End of Semester Exams – Good luck!
Compiled By Mutekwa, V.T.