Geography (GEOG) 266
Introductory Physical Geography II: Lithosphere and Biosphere (Revision 2)
View previous syllabus.
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online with home lab component *. This course is charged a lab fee.
*The laboratory requirement requires the use of Google EarthTM, an online program that allows you to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, etc. of Earth. Google EarthTM can be downloaded for free, but has the following computer system requirements:
- PC – Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
- Mac – Mac OS X 10.6.0 or later
- Linux – LSB 4.0 (Linux Standard Base) libraries
Please ensure that you can accommodate these requirements prior to registering for this course.
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Science
Prerequisite: None.
Precluded Course: GEOG 266 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for GEOG 261 and GEOG 262.
Faculty: Faculty of Science & Technology
GEOG 266 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
GEOG 266 offers insight into the Earth's lithosphere and biosphere. To start, GEOG 266 examines the internal structure of the Earth, the rocks that compose it, and the forces within the Earth that act to deform the structural composition of both the internal and surface components, thus creating relief. Next, students learn about the denudation processes that unceasingly act at the Earth's surface to shape landforms and reduce relief, covering topics of weathering and mass movement, as well as erosion, transportation, and deposition by the geomorphic agents of water, waves, wind, and ice. In the laboratory activities (including virtual field trips using Google EarthTM), students learn basic skills of map and air photo interpretation and use them to analyze a variety of landforms. Next, the course examines Earth's soils, how they form, their various characteristics, and the factors that influence their development. Finally, students learn about the different biomes that make up the world's vegetation pattern and examine their close relationship with climates.
Outline
GEOG 266 comprises the following 10 units, starting with Unit 11, where GEOG 265 ends.
Unit 11: The Dynamic Planet
Unit 12: Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism
Unit 13: Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement
Unit 14: River Systems and Landforms
Unit 15: Eolian Processes and Arid Landscapes
Unit 16: The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms
Unit 17: Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms
Unit 18: The Geography of Soils
Unit 19: Ecosystem Essentials
Unit 20: Terrestrial Biomes
Evaluation
To receive credit for GEOG 266, you must achieve a minimum grade of “D” (50 percent) on both the mid-term and final examinations, and an overall grade of “D” (50 percent) for the entire course. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Mid-term Exam | Assignment 3 | Assignment 4 | Google EarthTM Labs | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.5% | 12.5% | 20% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 10% | 20% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Christopherson, R. W., & Byrne, M-L. (2006). Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, Vol. 2 (Canadian Ed.). Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.
Christopherson, R. W., & Thomsen, C. E. (2012). Geosystems: Student Study Guide, Vol. 2 (Custom Ed.). Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.
Introductory Physical Geography II: Lithosphere and Biosphere. Geography 266: Laboratory Manual 1, Athabasca University. (2012). McGraw-Hill Create.
Introductory Physical Geography II: Lithosphere and Biosphere. Geography 266: Laboratory Manual 2, Athabasca University (GEOS). (2012). Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions.
Other materials
The course materials also include Google Earth exercises, assignments, and an online study guide.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the GEOG 266 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on a challenge examination.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 2, April 10, 2013.
View previous syllabus
Last updated by SAS 04/17/2013 08:27:12
