GEOG101: Physical Geography

Lecture 01: Monday, January 12, 2009

Topics
1. Introduction of the instructor
2. Overview of syllabus and semester schedule
3. Why do we need to learn the Earth Systems Science?
4. Definition and scope of Physical Geography

Introduction of the Instructor
Dr. Ganqing Jiang: Office: LFG 206; Telephone: (702)895-2708
Email: Ganqing.Jiang@unlv.edu
Office Hour: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30 to 4:00 pm and by appointment (walk in is fine)
Textbook: Christopherson, Robert W., 2009, Geosystems--An Introduction to
Physical Geography, Seventh Edition, Pearson-Prentice Hall,687p. ISBN: 978-0-13-600598-8.
No Labs for this course; No TA assignment;
but there is separate lab accompanying this class. Contact Dr. Scott A. Nowicki if you want to register the lab.

Overview of syllabus, semester schedule and questionaire
See handouts and slides

Why do we need to learn the Earth Systems Science?
Talk to the people close to you and ask the following questions:
• When are the winter seasons for Namibia and south China or northern India? why?
• Why earthquakes and volcanoes occur very often along the margins of the Pacific ocean but not so often in the central continents?
   Do you know anything about the Yellowstone National Park?
• Why in every several years fishes and clams suffer an almost 100% mortality during times of El Nino (Monsoon)?
• We know from the daily news that the global climate is warming and sea level is rising. Do you know what is the most possible driving mechanism?
   What kind of data are used by scientists to demonstrate the global warming and sea-level change?
• In some areas of the Himalaya Mountains, large earthquakes occur quite often. Why don't we hear so often from the news channels about the property loss from this area during earthquakes?

Definition and scope of Physical Geography
• What is the Geography all about?
• What is the Physical Geography about? (Notice: Physical elements and processes)
• What are the four spheres of the Earth?
• What are the four subsystems of the Earth System?
• Does the ocean belong to the Hydrosphere? Does the ocean belong to Biosphere?