GES1030 - Introduction to Physical Geography

Leader: Dr Billy Kariaga

Offered

South Africa First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit deals with the basic understanding of the landscape, vegetation and climate characteristics of the world as a foundation for more advanced study in geography and related disciplines. It explains patterns of landforms, soil, biota and climate throughout the earth's surface.

Objectives

Upon satisfactory completion of this subject, students will be:

1. Able to understand the major ideas concerning the evolution of the earth's landscape, its biota and climate patterns.
2. Able to understand the present day distribution of the world's climate, biota, soils and landscapes with special emphasis on the African environment.
3. Able to synthesise and interpret relevant material and to communicate ideas to others in a coherent manner, by either written or verbal means.
4. Familiar and proficient with some simple techniques for analysing basic geographic and physical environmental information. Eg. Air photo interpretation, Satellite Remote sensing, map interpretation ,GIS and basic statistical techniques.
5. Able to undertake an independent field study of the natural environment and understand the problems associated with making field measurements of natural phenomena.

Assessment

Essay (1500 words): 30%
Examination (2 hours): 40%
Practical and fieldwork reports: 30%

Contact hours

One 2 hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial per week. One full day and one half day field trip.