Take My Physical Geography Course

I love being in the classroom almost as much as traveling. One of my favorite courses to teach was “Introduction to Physical Geography.” Coupled with reading assignments, the modules below offer the equivalent of my 16-week course.

If you enjoy the lectures and want to complete reading assignments, please purchase: Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation (Prentice-Hall, 12th Edition). It’s available at a discount through several online book sellers including Chegg and Athena.

Now, fill a cup with your favorite beverage and let’s begin!

Module 1 - Earth and Sun Systems

M01.1 The Size and Shape of Earth

M01.2 Defining Locations on Earth

M01.3 Earth and Sun Relationships

textbook Chapter 1

 

Module 2 – Portrayal of the Earth

M02.1 Making Maps

M02.2 Map Projections

M02.3 GPS and GIS  

M02.4 Aerial Photography

M02.5 Remote Sensing

textbook Chapter 2

 

Module 3 – The Atmosphere

M03.1 Composition of the Atmosphere

M03.2 Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere

textbook Chapter 3       

 

Module 4 – Atmospheric Heating

M04.1 Energy from the Sun

M04.2 Heat and Temperature

textbook Chapter 4       

 

Module 5 – Atmospheric Pressure and Wind

M05.1 Pressure and Wind Direction

M05.2 Major and Lesser Wind Systems

textbook Chapter 5

 

Module 6 – Atmospheric Moisture

M06.1 Determinants of Moisture in the Atmosphere

M06.2 Clouds and Fog

M06.3 Precipitation

textbook Chapter 6

 

Module 7 – Fronts and Storms

M07.1 Air Masses and Fronts

M07.2 Hurricanes

M07.3 Minor Atmospheric Disturbances

textbook Chapter 7

               

Module 8 – Climate

M08.1 Earth’s Climates

M08.2 Climate Change

textbook Chapter 8

Module 9 – Hydrosphere

M09.1 Earth’s Moisture Inventory

M09.2 Permanent Ice

M09.3 Surface and Groundwater

textbook Chapter 9

 

Module 10 – Biosphere

M10.1 Elements Necessary for Life

M10.3 Biomes and Biotic Distributions

textbook Chapter 10

 

Module 11 – Flora and Fauna

M11.1 Distributions of Flora and Fauna

M11.2 Plant and Animal Adaptations

textbook Chapter 11

 

Module 12 – Soils

M12.1 Soil Properties

M12.2 Soil Formation

textbook Chapter 12

 

Module 13 – Landform Study

M13.1 Landforms and Orders of Relief             

textbook Chapter 13

 

Module 14 – Internal Processes

M14.1 Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

M14.2 Folding, Faulting, and Earthquakes

M14.3 Extrusive Volcanic Processes

M14.4 Intrusive Volcanic Processes

textbook Chapter 14

 

Module 15 – Weathering and Mass Wasting

M15.1 Physical and Chemical Weathering

M15.2 Mass Wasting

textbook Chapter 15

 

Module 16 – Fluvial Processes

M16.1 Overland and Streamflow

M16.2 Stream Discharge and Patterns

M16.3 Floodplain Features and Deltas

textbook chapter 16

 

Module 17 – Karst Landscapes and Hydrothermal Features

M17.1 Caves and Cave Systems

M17.2 Karst Surface Features

M17.3 Hydrothermal Landscapes

textbook Chapter 17

 

Module 18 – Arid Landforms

M18.1 Characteristics of Arid Landscapes

M18.2 Types of Arid Lands

M18.3 Erosion and Transportation by Wind

M18.4 Aeolian Deposition

M18.5 Arid Landscapes of the American Southwest

textbook Chapter 18

 

Module 19 – Glacial Processes

M19.1 Ice Age Periods

M19.2 Contemporary Glaciation

M19.3 Glacial Erosion and Deposition

textbook Chapter 19

 

Module 20 – Coastal Processes

M20.1 Erosion and Transportation

M20.2 Deposition and Coastal Landform Types

textbook Chapter 20