AZA1308 - Introduction to physical geography - 2018

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.

Upon satisfactory completion of the unit, 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.

Within semester assessment: 50% + Exam: 50%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Geography and environmental science - South Africa